TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2010, 20 February 1890, Page 4

TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.

The recent arrest of Charles J. W. Johnson at New Orleans adds another chapter to the romance of insurance. It also shows that in real life there are sometimes circumstances stranger than the novelist would dare to record. Some twenty years ago a citizen of Texas took out a policy for 6000 dollars in an accident insurance company. He had a homestead at Victoria, in that State. This he sold for 700 dollars and went to Gaiveston, but was robbed of 662 dollars by some roughs, ill-luck pursued him, and it was as much as he could manage to o-ake a livelihood. Although things • were looking very black, he decided to treat himself and his family to a visit to i,h theatre, "hey arrived a little too early, and the -tore went for a walk upon the beach It was growing dark when, according t o his subsequent narrative, there flashed into his mind a scheme for swindling the insurance company and for escaping from his financial troubles. He threw a log into the bay, and regardless of the screams of his wife, who naturally supposed that he had fallen into the water, he made for the railway station and took train for Denver, and after a time went from that place to New Orleans, where he obtained work. Meanwhile the widow, as she supposed herself to be, claimed payment of the 6000 dols. The company had some suspicion as to the reality of the alleged drowning, and placed the matter in the hands of a detective, who could find no evidence to justify resistance to the claim. He reported this to his employers, and the company therefore ordered the preparation of the papers for the settlement of the claim. Before this had been completed the detective, whilst casually waiting at the post-office, was asked by a little girl to show her the proper place to post the letter, which she held in her hand. He at once recognised l her as the daughter of Johnson, and, seeing that the letter was addressed to J. J. Worth, at Orleans, came to the conclusion that Worth was the alias under which the supposed dead man was hiding. The New Orleans police r were communicated with, and John- : eon, on being arrested, confessed the, fraud. His first intention had been l to keep his wife in ignorance until she had drawn the money, and hia departure from this resolution, coupled with the remarkable circumstonce of the address of the letter to him being shown to the very detective who h,adi ;been trying to find him, led to his capture.