The Democrat-Topic. (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, January 21, 1898 Page: 1 of 4
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NORMANrCLEVELAND COUNTY. OKLAHOMA. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21. 1898
VOL IX. NORMAN, LLhVtLAiNU v./w
Commence the New Year By Subscribing for the DEMOUNT
— " z . im\/p^Tir.atino. I A lAfKsflN
\V T. Tate Made the Gruesome Discovery. Mr. 1 ate
Searching for Mr. Wiggins and Was Horrified
When Finding dim Dead,
HE FOKMEKLY LIVED IN WICHITA, K\N^\s.
For Several Years He Has Been Assistant Cashier <if the
Norman State Bank. His Accounts at the Bank
Were Correct.
A LETTER TO HIS WIFE FOUND IN HIS COAT PO< Kl.l.
Some Claim He Committed Suicide. Others Claim Death Re-
suited From Heart Failure. He Had a Lovely Home
and An Interesting Family.
About 7:30 p. m. Friday, citi-
zens ot Norman were shocked by
an announcement that T. J. J.
Wiggins, assistant cashier of lhe
Norman State Hank, ha<i commit-
ted suicide. The report soon
reached all portions of the city and
great excitement prevailed.
The dead body of Mr. Wiggins
was found in the vestry of the
Episcopal church by W. T. Tate, a
neighbor of deceased.
In speaking of the matter Mr.
Tate said: "When I went home
from my office Friday evening,
Mrs. Tate remarked that we invite
Mr. Hiid Mrs. Wiggins over to
spend the evening. I told her that
Mr. Wiggins was not well, and
suggested that we spend the even-
ing at Mr. Wiggins'. We went to
Mr. Wiggins' about 7 o'clock and
Mrs. Wiggins answered the alarm
at the door. When she opened the
door she remarked that she sup-
posed Mr. Wiggins had sounded the
alarm, and added he had not yet
reached home from the bank. I
told Mrs. Wiggins that her husband
had not been at the bank that day.
The statement startled Mrs. Wig-
here he was engaged in the real es-
tate business at \\ ichand it in
said he lost considerable money
there. Since coming to Norman
he had established a lovely home,
and was doing nicely, tinani iallv.
He enjoyed the perfect confidence
of his business associates.
C. H. Bessent, cashier <>f ti." Nor-
man State Bank, says Mr. Wiggins
was in every respect worthy of the
confidence he enjoyed. '1 was ter-
ribly surprised when 1 learned of
his death and no one regrets the
sad event more than 1
Governor Renfrow, president of
the Normsn St'ite Hank, «;>ok" feel-
ingly of Mr. Wiggins. He said: "J
became acquainted with him dtir
ing the opening- of this country.
We camped together and I was
grown to him by hi. gentlemanly near the body, also a piece of paper
disposition. I hud never ,,-t the which was a short statement in the
respect I had for him u id I al- i nature of a will bequeathing all his
ways had the greatest.of < mlidence j property to his wife. 1 he will r—
Was I write me concerning it instead of
communicating it verbally."
Mr. Wiggins was a member ot
the Episcopal church, and that de-
nomination will not hold funeral
services over the remains of sui-
cides. Bishop Brooke conducted
impressive ceremonies over the re
mains, which indicates that the
bishop thought Mr. Wiggins died
a natural death.
A sealed letter addressed to Mrs.
Wiggins was found in the deceased's
coat pocket. The letter commenced
by stating that he had gone to the
church where he could be alone and
think and endeavor to formulate
some plans for the future. He
closed the letter by saying that
through the darkness of the present
he saw a bright future
Dr. Robertson was asked to make
a statement regarding the matter
He said he had no sta'ement to
make for publication more than he
desired to correct the impression
created by his evidence before the
coroner's jury. "I did not give my
evidence at that time as a physi
cian," said he, "and I told the jury
at the time that I had made no
amination of the body, but I was
under the impression that death re-
sulted from a sleep producing nar
cotic. I am positive now that such
was not the case, and learning that
lie had experienced a sinking at-
tack Sunday preceeding his death,
and again reading the letter to his
wife. I am conlident that bis death
resulted from a repetition of such
an attack
He was seen to go to the church
about 1:30 Friday evening, where
his dead body was found, a pencil
tablet was lying on a table
DISTRICT 49.
Farmers Through Gathering
Their Crops. Some Fine
Stock Sold and He-
celved.
Every thing is running smoothly
in district 49, crops all in doors and
citizens ready for this winter
weather.
K. K. Alkire, Thomas Standifer
and R. W. Yeargin received a ship-
ment of Registered Poland China
hogs this week from the Marmaton
Valley Herd, Richards, Mo , J. D.
White, Proprietor. They are the
West ever nhiped to this part of
the county.
K. K. Alkire sold three Registered
Bulls to Smith and McCrummen of
Poali 1. T. on the 17th and refused
$I(X) for a calf seven months
old from the same parties. 49er.
in his honesty."
Bishop Brooke
fected over the sad oocurrenee and
spoke of the deceased as one pos-
sessed of an absolutely unblem-
ished character.
There are a great many i*onoct-
ures regarding the matter. I he
coroner's jury, romp
i dated January 14, 189H. The letter
dt eplv af- to his wife was also dated January
1898.
The Democrat publishes the va-
rious versions of the affair and
leaves its readers to form their own
ideas regarding it
Deceased was thirty-six years of
gins and she requested me to go at
once and see Mr. Bessent, cashier urea -j . - „ , .
, , M n . coroner's iurv, rompo- I of 1). age; was born in Oxford, England
of the bank. I went to Mr. Bess- coroners ju.\, m( & < ♦„
> . • j t i i I hnvip Fd (' I {i s \ Ilatton. and came to America when twenty
ent s home and inquired if he knew i Davis, fcu . v\au0A r;ni
where Mr. Wiggins was. Where-. Clias. T. Gorton, .Mi C hamber, hve years of age. He vis ted Ga
upon he replied that he did not. and Art Ferguson, rod-red a ver- veston and other senth<srnra tie
.Mr. Bessent said he could not an-1 diet to the -He, t that ■<! eaine but finally located n V Vtcat.
derstand why Mr. Wiggins bad to his death from p..;^,.. .diuinis- where he engaged in the real estate
tered bv himself, yet us th-re was j and insurance business. Here he
no autopsy, some, we might say married Miss Maude Holland, who,
quite a few, claim tlmt d-aih re- with one child, survives him- He
suited from heart failure. SomeI continued his residence in Wichita
have expressed themselves as be- for about four years and when this
lieving he was temporarily insane, 'country was thrown open to settle
as the work llt! 'liui performing | ment came here.
I "knew"ofMr. Wigg'ins'' devotion j for the past live years was very try- He was an active member of the
to the Episcopal church and it oc- ing upon his nerves, and as he a„- Episcopal church and aoper ntend
plied himself so vigorously to his , ent of the Sunday school. He car-
work he gave down aud in that con ried $2,000 life insurance.
d. | He was buried at the Odd Fel
been absent from his work all day.
I then went to I)r. Robertson's
home and told that gentleman of
Mr. Wiggins' absence from home
and requested him to join me in a
search for him. This he did and
we started to Mr. McGinley's house
curred to me to go to the church
building, which I did, while Dr.
Robertson went to Mr. McGinllyV
When I reached the church I en-
deavored to enter the rear door, and
finding it locked I passed to the
front door which admitted me.
The church was very dark and 1
raised the lantern over my head
and seached among the seats.
While passing down the aisle I ob-
served the vestry door standing
open and advancing I saw Mr.
Wiggins lying on a cot. His face
was toward me. I called him by
name but received no answer. I
placed my gloved hand on his
brow and then lifted his arm,
which was rigid. I realized he
was dead and hurried to Mr. Mc
Ginley's residence and informed
Dr. Robertson and Mr. McGinley ol
my discovery. We all went to the
church together. We sent word to
the officials, who summoned a cor-
oner's jury. I wired Bishop Hrookt
at Guthrie, while Dr. Robertson
conveyed the sad news to Mrs. Wig-
gins."
Mr. Wiggins had been a resident
of Norman for several years, in lad
among the original settlers ol
iveland county. Before coining
ARRESTED A
DESERTER.
CITY MARSHAL SMITH All-
RESTS A. J. LEWIS CHARG-
ED WITH DESERTION.
He Has Quite n War Record l'or
a Young Man.
Everybody Says So.
Cascarcts Candy Cathartic, the
most wonderful medical discovery
of the nye, pleasant and refreshing-
to the taste, act gently and posi-
tively on kidneys, liver and bowels,
cleansing the entire system, dispel
colds, cure headache, fever, habit-
ual constipation and biliousencsn.
Please buy and try a box of C. C. C.
to-day; 10, 25, 50 cents. Sold and
guaranteed to cure by all drug
gists.
The Coining Woman.
Who goes to the club while her
husband tends the baby, as well as
the good old-fashioned woman who
looks after her home will be trou-
bled with loss of appetite, head-
aches, sleeeplessness, fainting or
dizzy spells. The most wonderful
remedy for these women is Electric
Bitters. Thousands of sufferers
from Lame Hack and Weak Kid-
neys rise up and call it blessed. It
is the medicine for women. Female
complaints and nervous troubles
of all kinds are soon relieved by
the use of Electric Bitte/s. Deli-
cate women should keep this re
medy on hand to build up the sys-
tem. Only 50c. per bottle. For sale
by Blake and Reed. 1
INVESTIGATING.
Gov. Hrown In Washington Ask-
ing That The Matter lie
Im estimated.
Some
An old lady who had been in
the habit of attending all the
funerals that took place within
reasonable distance from her
home overheard a conversation
in which some one said: "Geo.
Washington is dead." 1 he old
ladies curiosity was at once
aroused and she said:
"Why law, is he dead? I
never hearn a word about it.
When did he die? Why, I
never got to go to the funeral."
So it is with many people
Last Tuesday afternoon, City Mar-
shal Smith received a postal card
which read as follows:
Ft. Rbno, v)kla., Jan 19,1808.
City Marshal, Norman.
Look out for a deserter Wears
cap, tan shoes, and is a painter by
trade. Coming up your way. We
ward from Government. 5l- feet
high. Deserted from the south.
Wire Ft. Reno.
T. J. Lakkin.
City Msrshal Smith read the card
and walked across the street to
Newell A Jackson's law office and
bumped up against a man suiting
the description of the deserter. Mr.
Smith has chased criminals too
long to become excited when tin
unexpected happens, consequently
he kept cool and commenced asking
questions. The stranger informed
the officer that he was a painter by
trade and had belonged to the
United States army as well. Mr
Smith was throughly convinced
that he had the right man and ac
cordingly placed him under arrest
After arresting him, the prisoner
accompanied Mr. Smith to the de
pot, where he wired as directed by
the postal card. At the depot he
searched the prisoner but found
nothing of any consequence. The
prisoner refused to give his name
He was placed in jail Tuesday
night but released and guarded
Wednesday. Wednesday morning
a democrat representative sought
an interview with him. At first he
positively declined to be interview
ed. Finally he consented to give
his name as Alfred J. Lewis, and
later talked freely, concerning his
arrest. In answer to a question he
stated that he had served in the U.
S. Army but had been released from
service. When pressed for the
cause of his release he said he was
discharged by court martial in
Nebraska, for absence without per
mission. He enlisted later in the
South and was again discharged
for fraudulent enlistment. He did
not have his discharge with him.
The penalty for desertion is con-
finement in the penitentiary.
Wednesday afternoon City Mar
shal Smith received the following
wire:
Ft. Rbno, Okla., Ian, 191898.
To George Smith, City Marshal:
No deserter from here. Do not
know Larkiu.
Pearson,
Comdg.
Upon receipt of the above mes
wage Mr. Smith released the pri-
Wasliiugton, Jan. 18. The burn-
ing at the stake of two Indian
youths, members of the Seminole
tribe within the borders of the ter-
ritory, by citizens of Oklahoma for
the supposed murder of Mrs. James
Learn, is bitterly denounced here
by officials. Governor John F.
Brown, of the Seminole nation, to
gether with the father of one of the
victims of the mob, are here. The
governor has called on the attor-
ney general and laid the matter be-
fore the department of justice and
asked that the perpetrators of this
infamous deed be brought before
the bar of justice. Attorney Gen
ral McKenna has telegraphed
Special Agent Fears to institute an
investigation and use all possible
means to run down the guilty par-
ties. In regard to the murder of
the two Indians Governor Brown
said to the State Capital correspon-
oetit.
A few days ago I left my nation
for a visit to the capital for the
purpose of discussing certain af-
fairs relating to the treaty, por
ions of which have already been
ratified. Before 1 left I heard of
the murder of Mrs. Learn. At the
time the entire natron was in a
reign of terror. Bands of outlaws
coming into nation and
grabbed everybody they liked and
hauled them off.
"As governor of the tribe I was
not even asked to make an investi
gation of the murder. I knew our
people were suspected, and if ap-
pealed to would gladly have ren-
dered any assistance in my power
The murderers of this defenseless
woman should have been summa
rily dealt with, aud their necks
broken. When I arrived here I re
ceived a telegram from Dr. C. P
Linn, chief physician of nation, in
forming me of the outrage upon
two of our people. 1 know both of
these bovs well, and as far as 1
have any knowledge, they were,
good, law abiding citizens, The
burning of these two boys was an
outrage on justice. The father of
one of the boys is here with
and the governor pointed to a short
stout Indian who sat with head
bowed.
J.A. JACKSON
ARRESTED,
III: WAS SI Itl'KISI'.ll AT III'.-
ING lM'Oimi.ll HE WAS
\\ \ntr.i> ron i,\r< r.NY.
It Is Thought There. Is Nothing
In Tin' Charge.
J. A. Jackson, a liotol inun, of this
place, was placed under arrest hint
Saturday morning by a deputy
sheriff of Roger, Mill county, charg-
ing him with larceny.
Regarding his arrest, Mr. Jackson
■aid: "Three yeara ago a party
stole a team and buggy from me.
I followed him SOU miles and finally
had him arrested in IViaa. I trav-
eled fully I.">D miles searching (or
the team Deputy t'nited States
Marshal Hank, of Kl Keno, located
the team in Roger, Mill county, in
possession of a party by the name
of Goliear, who hail b 'light it, pac-
ing $75.00 for it.
1 went to Roger. Mills county.
When I reached Gobi ir'a 1 found
that he had sold one horse, the
buggy and harness, n ali-sing *75.110
foi them. \V In-ii I convinced Go-
bear that the property was mine,
he gavq me the a nouut realised
from the sale of ol property as well
as the other horse . This horse
I gave to the marshal for his
trouble iu the matter. I returned
home and never thought any more
if the matter until I was arrested
last Saturday."
Mr. Jackson will have no trouble
i proving that the property be-
longed to him and of course the
dition committed 111
A Dkmochat representative vi- ; lows'cemetery Hst Monday morn-
ited the Wiggins' home Wednesday ing.
morning. Mrs. Wiggins ri-] mailed lie found his inspiration at his
to the alarm at the d or and alter desk and fireside. His cheerful
making ottr mission known, we re- uce shed its radiance on all around
ceived an invitation to enter. | him- By close application to his
Mrs. Wiggins is po-itivi- her hus- j duties he had won the esteem ol
hand did not commit suicide. She Ids associates, as above stated.
said: "The Sunday morning pre- While in Wichita he lost heavily
ceeding his death. Ii arose about 5 and coming to Norman in an early
o'clock. 1 was awakened anil heard ,lay, practicallyjpennile^s, he won
htm going down stair.-. 1 fell Ins way step by step, socially and
asleep again and iliil not awaken J financially, and at the end of each
until H o'clock. When I came day he found himself drawn closer
downstairs I found Mr. Wiggins j to his friends. "The path of the
lying on a sofa He was nuitecold, 1 jaat is as the shining light that
looked very pale and was very shineth more and more unto the
sick. 1 administered unto him , perfect day." We cannot believe
and after some little time he seemed that even now his light is extin-
to rest easier, lie reiased to cat guixbed. A\ hen we look at the
anything all day and Monday fol-! faded buds and blossoms which
lowing was unable to go to the have the sweet assurance of anew
bank. Tuesday he was tronger life with returning spring, we are
and resumed his work at the bank, assured that this man, whose life
however on Thursday lie was much was that of a true christian, will be
worse. Kriday at noon lv was still blessed with a grander, purer nobler
very ill and 1 was very much wor- life in which there is no death. ,
ried about him. It has always I \ye want a portion of your trade,
been his custom, w'.ien having any- wju treat you fair.
whing of importance to tell me to Winoatb Milling Co.
Concerning
the
A Sure Thing tor You.
A transaction in which you can
not lose is a sure thing. Bilious-
ness, sick headache, furred tongue
fever, piles and a thousand other
ills are caused by constipation and
sluggish liver. Carcarets Candy
Cathartic, the wonderful new liver
stimulant and intestinal tonic art*
by all druggists guaranteed to cure
or money refunded. C. C. C. are
•ure thing. Try a box to-day; 1"'
25c., 50c. Sample and booklet frei
All druggists.
Death
t be
will necessit t<
Mills county wl
which will, of c«
has ettiplc
made to stick. It
a trip to Roger,
•n court convenes,
urse be expensive.
[1 Wolf & Williams
Free of Charge to Sufferers.
Cut this out and take it to your
druggist and get a san pie bottle
free of Dr. King's New Discovery,
for Consumption, Coughs and
Colds. They do not ask you to buy
before trying. This will show you
the great merits of this truly won-
derful remedy, and show you what
an be accomplished by the regu-
lar * lie bottle. This i no experi-
nt, and would be disastrous to
the proprietors, did they not know
it would invariably cure. Many of
the best physicians are now using
it in most severe cases. It in guar-
anteed. Trial bottles free at Make
& Reed Drug Store. Regular si/.e
60 cents and $100. 1
STELLA NEWS.
The IH'moerat Correspondent
Writes of Stella and Slusher.
fo defend him I he former attorney
is confident then- is no chance to
rouvict his client.
i:i:\l. i:ST\TU TKANSI'ICHS.
List of properly changed hands
in the last two weeks:
Robert Header to R 1. MolKtt, lots
27 2S, Mock Norman *150.
W M Isoni to John H I'rout, lots
17,18,111, 20, block 4a, Lexington—
$1,250.
W II Lee to I C' Dunham, svv 1-4
•c l.tvvpS, Jange 1 vv $11,000.
S L Syki's to J C Dunham, lots 23-
26. block .Vi. Norman $500.
|as ftarto to SV VV Cobble, lots 1,
2, 3, 4, block iw. Norman $1011.
jasper Harnett to A K Davidson,
lots 1H ID, block 41, Lexington $05.
John A I'.uton to Will Johnson,
se 1 I sic 8, twp «; range 1 w- $2,000.
James C Rutherford to John and
i has Socher, hw 1 4 sec 22, twp 10,
range l $3,000.
S I. Syues to J « Dunham, sw 1-4
sec 20, twp 0, range 1 w $3,000.
W L Tate to < < Noll, - l - nw 14
gee 14, twp 10, range :i
M H Fuiki rson to J D ' nice, lots
2U 30, block 84, Norman $110.
Martha j i.nice to John \V Hoyle,
lots 28, 30, 31, 32, block SI, Norman -
ft.TO.
of old hundred per cent meth-
ods and the credit business at
our store. Cash and 25 per
cent profit makes Violin Strings
cost 3 cents instead of 10c.
10 qt tin bucket 10 cents in-
stead of 25 cents. Bolts 50c
per hundred instead of $1.25.
Window shades 15c instead of
25c. Mandolin strings 3c in-
stead of 10 cents. In fact ev-
erything is at the right price.
JUST IN: A big lot of
Tin-ware, Notion*, Dry Goods
&c., at
Beauty in Blood De«p.
Clean blood means a clean skin
No beauty without it. Ca carets
Candy Cathartic clean your blood
and keep it clean, by stirring up,
the laxy liver and driving all im-
purities from the body. Begin to
day to banish pimples, boils,
blotches, blackheads, and that sick-
ly bilious complexion by taking
Cascarets,—beauty for ten centH.
All druggists, satisfaction guaran-
teed, 10c, 25, 50.
NEW BANK.
Gov. Itenl'row Corroborates the
lieport that he is Organizing
a New Bunk at Oklahoma
City.
Kverhart
>x 10 acres
Gov. W. C. Renfrow was in Nor-
man several days this week. He
left Tuesday for Joplin, Mo. where
he has extensive mining interests.
While here a Demockat reporter
asked him regarding the report
that he was interested in establitdi •
i«g a new Ixiuk at Oklahoma City.
"The Democrat was correct in its
report of the matter, except we will
have $100,000 capital instead of
$50,000," said he, continuing he said
"We hope to be ready for business
by February 1, 189H.
The bank will be a Firat National,
J. M. Curtice, of Kansas City, a
j stockholder in the Norman State
| Hank, of this place, is also interest
ed in the new institution."
Most of our farmers have their
cotton picked they are also nearly
through gathering corn.
Wallace Pucket and Miss Ida
Dickerson were married laat Sun-J
day. |
The Baptists hold their regular i
meeting at Oak Grove school house
very second Sunday.
Sabbath school meets at half.
pant nine o'clock each Sabbath
morning.
Services at the Methodist church
in Stella the third Sunday in each j
month.
There was an interesting bible
reading at Mr. Jones', north west of
Stella laat Sunday.
Old Sandy.
WEDDING.
licorice ' ulhe.v anil Mi** Minnie
Hartley Will Wed Tonight.
John A < os ) to <
iv l-l!* I I '< '.VI I 0 r I e
\V T Denison to i M.
sec 28 t9 s'J r X)
j i- \bri nathy t I. Ahernathy
undivided 1-- lc' 1 > blk .w l.i Miti^
ton $1000.
j M Daniel to (i W Gtbhs lotB 20,
11 *100.
\ , Prickett
icy
:i to y 1, Syki'S lots
1. na Dunham 5
: $3000.
t i ^ 1, S\kes same
Cards are out announcing the
marriage ol George Cathey and
marriage ui , j
Miss Minnie Hartley, Thuisday
evening, Jan., 20th, at nine o'clock
at the M. K. Church South.
Tile prospective bride and groom i
are well and favorably known to I
the citiaeuBof Norman aud vicinity.
Mr Cathey is a trusted employe of
of the Palace Oroctry Co., while
Miss Hartley ia a capable clerk at
the Boston Store, and a daughter of
H. F. Hartley, an esteemed citizen
of Norinam
Go anil see those new goods at
Xeel's Jewelry Store.
Andrew Kit
lot 0 blk 122 No
I. H,,han
J E Harnm
Lena Doolin
' \v c Renfrow to I lv Brooke; lots
5 0.1, f*. block Jl. Norman $300,
lullII N Baurbandit to lsabelle
Gregory, ,i 1-2 no 11 nw 1-4 sec 30,
twp 7, range 12 T>lS«
Daniel K Ja . kson to J I, Long, e
1-3 se 1 1 sec Iwii Ii, range 1
Advertised Letters.
The follow ing is * adver*
tieed letters for the week ending
January, SI.
Cole, Ja-
Glover Frank.
Foster Tho.-.
Ciuy Juicti.
I Hull Carey.
Henderson W m
James Myrt
Lawfon I D
Lone J. I).
Larkintou j.
Nichols Herbert B.
Smith Dora.
Smith Jno. 1!.
Atchley T. C.
Persons calling lor any of tho
above letters please say adverted.
1. J. Johnson, !'■ M.
/%
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Jarboe, Tom & Alkire, George A. The Democrat-Topic. (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, January 21, 1898, newspaper, January 21, 1898; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc117003/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.