by Laurel | February 5th, 2014
24 February 1922
Brothers Must Face Conspiracy Charge
Northampton, February 23 — The grand jury’s report to Justice Thayer in the superior court today included indictments against Julius and Adolf Erat for alleged conspiracy to defraud several insurance companies. the companies are the Boston Mutual, Prudential, Massachusetts Mutual, John Hancock, Continental, and Equitable. These cases are connected with the sensational developments which included the apparent drowning of Julius Erat in one of the Holoke canals by being pitched into the water from his automobile. later he was seen in the Grand Central Station in New York and this led to his return home. in the meantime, it had been found that he carried a large amount of life insurance, which, it was said, would yield in case of death by accident, some $75,000. The circumstances led the police to believe that a plan had been concocted to defraud insurance companies and that Adolf Erat, a brother of Julius, was involved.
Julius, after his return, was charged in the Holyoke court with causing damage to the fence against which his automobile was run at the canal. He was fined for this offense and later was charged in the Hampshire district court with making a false statement in taking out an insurance policy. This case was continued and the indictment by the grand jury on a charge of conspiracy now intervenes. District Attorney Hammond told the court that Adolf was too ill to appear, and plead to the indictment. Julius was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. Bonds were fixed at $2500 and were furnished by the father of the young man and a neighbor at Mount Tom.
Adapted From The Springfield Republican.
