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8 FRAUD CLAIMED. THE STRANGE STORY OF TWO INSURANCE POLICIES, Dying Men are Forced to Compromise for Half Face Value—V Scandal Involving Many People. The Looking Glass has been placed in possession of a most remarkable story. It deals with the compromise of a claim by a great Life Insurance Company under circumstances so ex traordinary as to be practically without a parallel. It is a sensation any way one looks at it. From one point of view it is an outrageous piece of oppression and from the other a very astonishing conspiracy to defraud. That the latter construction will be placed upon it is highly doubtful from the excellent standing of the parties involved. Among the planters of Upton coun ty none are better known than the Blalocks. The present head of the family, Mr. J. T. Blalock, has a line estate known as “The Oaks,” on the line of the A. <fc F. road. He is a native Georgian, highly respected and well known in this city where he is a frequent visitor. There were in all four brothers in the family, the Mr. Blalock of “The Oaks,’’ R. J. Blalock a merchant of Barnesville, Ga., and W. B. and C. W. Blalock, residing in Florida. All of the brothers had been brought up on a farm and were strong, robust men. In May, 1892, Mr. R. J. Blalock went to Florida on a hunting excur- thinking to unite business withjßreasure obtained a commission as solicitor for the Equitable Insurance Company. He wrote a number of policies while on the trip and among others he pursuaded his two brothers to insure. They applied for $5,000 each. C. W. Blalock was then residing at Tennille,Fla., and there being no medi cal examiner at that point went to Palatka, where he was passed by the company’s regular physician. The latter remarked, it is said, that Mr. Blalock was the “finest risk” he had ever passed. Mr. W. B. Blalock was examined by another of the company’s physicians at High Springs, where he was in the merchandise business, and passed without question. He was then about 28 years old. C. W. Blalock was 2 years younger, and both apparently in fin physical condition. Not long after the policies were issued W. B. Blalock experienced some symptoms of lung trouble. There had never been any consumption in the family, and the symptoms were so slight that it was over a year before he became alarmed. Meantime the younger brother mov ed to High Springs and the two men lived and slept together. In the early part of ’93 both began to show marked signs of consumption. They had hemorrhages and rapidly declined in strength until in September, 1893, they sold out their business and came to "The Oaks” in Upson county to reside with their elder brother. From this point on the story is best told by Mr. J. T. Blalock himself. “My brothers,” he said in describing the case, “ came home to die. They had galloping consumption. I attrib ute it to the fact that the younger one spent 10 months in Brazil in 1891, for our family history is entirely free of the disease. I realized their condi tion and did my best to make their last days comfortable. “On the 25th of last January, when ; both boys were very low, Dr. Hawes ! of Atlanta, Inspector of Medical Ex aminers for the Equitable, called at my house and to my amazement stated that the company had evidence of fraud in the procuring of the policies on my brothers’ lives, and would receive no more premiums. He offer ed to compromise by returning the premiums with interest and said that the company would contest the claims clear to the court of last resort. “I was indignant, and urged my brother not to listen to such a proposi tion. The doctor'talked with them for several hours, and in. their weak condition, the excitement nearly pros trated them. He told them that he did not know what the company had learned,but would advise a settlement to save endless litigation. As he talked he gradually raised his offer first to $1,500 then to $2,500. “My brothers stoutly protested that the applications had been all right and declined his terms. • “ On January 29th, three days later, Dr. Hawes returned with Mr. Morris, of Atlanta, the company’s agent, and renewed his over.ures. They repeated the old threat of litigation and rung every imaginable change on it, finally offering $5,000 for the two policies. My brothers knew that they were very near death, and believing that they would save the family the trouble and humiliation of fighting the case in court, finally accepted. One thing that influenced them was the dread that their integrity would be ques tioned when they were in their graves and could not speak for themselves. Two drafts of $2,500 each were given and the visitors left with the policies. “The interview, I am convinced, killed my younger brother. He was broken with exhaustion and mortifi cation and went at once to bed. Next da£ he died. My other brother died on the 15th of this month. “I made up my mind that I would i not permit a stain to rest on the boys’ honor. We care nothing about the balance of the policy ; we do not need it, but my brothers were honorable gentlemen and I determined to force this great company to state just why they had questioned the policies. Its own physicians had passed them when I they applied, and I could not see that the mere fact that my brother secured the application should have weight. Men insure their relatives every day. The last hours of both of my dead brothers were embittered by the thought that their good faith had been challenged, and I wrote the com pany insisting that they state their reasons for so doing. “ I did not ask any money settle ment, and went so far as to say that the family would be satisfied to know that the company believed it was act ing in good faith. They have ignored this request entirely. I now intend to give the facts the widest publicity I can without fear that they will re flect upon our name.” The case, it will be seen, is a very* peculiar one. The company’s claim of fraud involves, of course, not only the two brothers, but Mr. Blalock, of Barnesville, and the Florida physi cians who passed the applications. Those who know the Blalock family do not believe for a moment that there was any deception used. As Mr. Bla lock does not propose to let the mat ter rest, it is certain that some highly sensational developments may be looked for in the near future. Help for impecunious people with desirable pledges, can be found at 146 Decatur St. The New York Loan Office. The Looking Glass. WAS IT SUICIDE ? C. A. Lewis Was Out of Work and Despondent. Within the past few weeks several cases of suicide have been successfully hushed up by friends, and there is a popular impression that the death of Charles A. Lewis was another instance of self-destruction. The truth will never be known. The deceased was a traveling man for the Everett-Ridley-Ragan Co., widely known. This season he was unsuccessful on the road, and last Saturday he was laid off. This troub led him greatly. He had no money and pawned his fine gold watch for S2O. He was perfectly sober at the time. At eleven o’clock Monday night Dr. Harris was summoned to his room at the Markham. He found Lewis bor dering on delirium, and gave him a small hypodermia injection of mor phine. Next day he was found dead. If he committed suicide he took some drug in the interval. If not he died from causes unknown. The cor oner’s verdict of “death from excessive alcoholism,” was absurd, rs coroners’ verdicts usually are. Lewis had been drinking to some extent, but not enough to cause death. The opinion of his intimates is that in a moment of despondency he took his life. TWO SWEET SONGS. Atlanta talent has lately placed two new and exquisite songs before the public. The first is “ I knew her by the Rose,” one of Mr. F. L. Stanton’s melodious prems set to music by Mr. Walter F. Grace, and the other is “ Dream Bells,” both words and music by Lollie Belle Wylie. The latter song is dedicated to Col. Cockerill, of New York, and both are gems that no music lover should be without. They are on sale everywhere. SOLID. Regardless of Panic and Hard Times, Atlanta’s Flourishing Building and Loan Associations In creases its Business. The National Railway Building and Loan Association, of this city, held its annual stockholders meeting on April 4th, and according to the report of its Secretary, shows a magnificent gain in business over last year, despite the ex ceedingly hard times. This is not to be wondered at, however, as the directors of the Association are among the fore most ranks of financiers and business men of the country. A glance at their names will be sufficient to establish this beyond a doubt, and also prove to the most skeptical that an investment in this Company is as safe asU. S. 4’s. The public is so familiar with the following names that an introduction is super fluous. They compose the directory of this association and are worthy of all confidence. W. H. Hulsey, President. Attorney at law. (Ex-Mayor City of Atlanta.) J. M. Stephens, Vice-Presi dent. (Supt. W. U. Telegraph Co. Member City Council.) E. S. Pratt, Treasurer. (Cashier American Trust and Banking Co.) Hulsy & Bateman, Attorneys at Law, Attorneys. L. N. Trammel, (Chairman Ga. R. R. Com mission.) Jos. H. Johnson, (Vice-Prest. Inter-State Abstract Co.) B. W. Wrenn, (Gen. Pass. Agt. E. T. V. & Ga R. R.) D. B. Stancliffe, Secretary and Mana ger. Under the able and skillful man agement of the above gentlemen, the Association will go down to posterity as a model of suerty and success. DR. E. GREWER. The Well Known Philadelphia Specialest. Will visit the following cities in Georgia: Will arrive in Augusta on or about April 14th, and will be found at “Hotel Arlington.” Savannah, on or about April 20th, and will be found at “Hotel DeSoto.” Brunswick, on or about April 17th, at “Ocean Hotel.” Watch papers for announcement of arrival, and the name of Hotel where he and staff of physicians may be con sulted. Home office, Atlanta, Ga. Remember tl)e Crescegt Steari) Laur)dry, No. 124 Peachtree, is doipg Gloss apd Domestic poisl). Styrts, plair), .10 cegts. Collars, - 2 1-2 cts. Cuffs, - - 4 cents ’Pborje 800. APPLICATION FOR CHARTER. GEORGIA, 1 Fulton County. J To The Superior Court of Said County: The petition of W. Woods White, Thad E. Murphey, E. J. Costello, B. H. Hill, and such others as they may associate «ith them, respectfully shows that they desite for themselves, their associ ates and successors, to be incorporated for the period of twenty years with the privilege of re newal at the end of that time, under the corporate name of COLLEGE PARK LOAN & INVEST MENT COMPANY. The object of said corpora tion is pecuniary gain and profit for its stockholders, and to carry out said object they desire to be incorpo rated under the above name, ana as such corporation they shall have the power to buv, sell, discount and collect bonds, stocks, notes, bills, securities and all choses in action, to lend money on real and per sonal property at such rate of interest as may be agreed upon, not in excess of the highest contract rate allowed by law, and for any time agreed on, and may charge interest for the full time and in clude the same in the note or notes or other evi dences of debt given therefor, and collect the same by monthly or other installments if the debtor shall so agree, without any rebate of interest thereon: and to secure any and all such loans, advances or other debts, said corporation shall be authorized to take mortgages, deeds of trust, conveyances, pledges, or such other secur ty as it may see proper. Said corporation shall also have the power to lend its own money or the money of others upon any real estate or personal security, and shall have the power to sell and transfer all such securities to any person, company, partnership or corporation, on such terms and under such contracts as it may desire: and to further carry out the objects of its incorporation, said corporation shall have the power to buy, own and sell real estate or personal property: to make all contracts consistent with the laws of this State to carry out the objects of its incorpora tion : to sue and be sued, and generally to exercise all the powers and privileges conferred by the laws of Georgia upon corporations of similar character. Said corporation is to have its principal place of business in Fulton County, Georgia, at the town of Manchester, in said County, but shall also have the right to establish agencies and transact its business wherever its interests may require. Petitioners show that the capital stock of said corporation is five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each, and they desire the privilege of increasing said amount of capital stock to one hundred thousand ($100,050.00) doll rs whenever a majority of the stock of said corporation shall so desire. Petition ers show that ten per cent, of said capital stock has been actually paid in. and the entire amount of said stock has been subscribed, and i etitioners ask that after said ten per cent, of actual cash, the balance of said capital stock may be paid in monthly installments. The business and affairs of said corporations are to be managed by a board of directors and officers elected by said board, the number of said directors shall be fixed by the stockholders Petitioners ask for an oider of the Court grant ing this, their petition, and petitioners will ever pray,etc. B. H. it C. D. HILL, Petitioner’s Attorneys. STATE OF GEORGIA, 1 County of Fulton. J I, G. H. Tanner, Clerk of the Superior •Court of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the files of said office of original application for charter for the COi.LEGE PARK LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMPANY. Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, this the 15th day of February, 1894. G H. TANNER, Clerk Superior Court, Fulton County, Georgia. White Plymouth Rocks, Light Brahmas and Brown Leghorns, ALL THOROUGHBREDS. a. Eggs for hatching from either, SI.OO for 13. Care- 'y P ac^ an d shipped by express on receipt oi VkHryprice. Enclose stamp if your letter requires a reply. Pens at Ezra Hill Farm, Battle Hill Ave* nue. Choice Birds for sale at all times. Address, G. W. WILSON, P. O. Box 12, ATLANTA, GA