The Rock Island Argus., 1881-08-16
MISSING MAN.
d. B. Briggs and his long
absence.
A Murder supposed to be
the cause.

This evening, Mr.. NJ. M. Briggs. of Rock
Island, leaves for Pendleton,
Oregon, in search of a brother who is
supposed to have been murdered about a
year ago His brothers name is
d. b. BRIGGS,
and he left his home in Marshalltown, To-
wa. two years ago, and went to Oregon to
live. This was in July, 1879. In August,
$780, he left Pendleton, Oregon, with a
wagon and four horses, to take show
across the mountains. to be absent five
weeks a
After he had been out eight days he
wrote letter to man named Cole, living
in Pendleton and at that time was all
right. This was the last time he was heard
from, nor was the show party ever seen
afterwards.
FOUL PLAY
was suspected at the time, and a detective
was put on the track, but after many
weeks of search he failed to find auy clue
and it is now believed beyond a doubt,
that
BRIGGS WAS MURDERED.
and now his brother goes to try and ascer-
tain the particulars. He thinks he can get
trace of his brother and that it is his duty
to follow up the search. Since the affair
occurred, great many letters have been
written to parties in Pendleton and vicini
ty by Mr.. Briggs, seeking information, but
without avail. He leaves for San Francis
co and will go up the coast to Portland,
Oregon, and from there will go up the Co
lumbia river to Pendleton, and then cross
the mountains.
THE THEORY
Of Mr.. Briggs is that his brother was muir
dered for money; that there are parties in
Pendleton who know something about it.
and that the perpetrators of the murder
can be discovered. He is determined to
push the inquiry to the utmost, and viii
make a thorough search before he returns.
He has many Introductory letters, among
Others an official
LETTER FROM GOV. CULLoM
to the governor of Oregon, and many 9TH
ers of Importance. Mr.. Briggs thinks
there is no question about the murder being
committed and that he can find out the par
ticulars. He will not consult any detec-
tives at present, but first get what facts
he can in regard to the affair, and then
will start out on
A SYSTEMATIC SEARCH
for his dead brother. He thinks that his
brother was hoodwinked into joining the
show party, and though he was shrewd, is
of the opinion that the passengers in the
wagon at the time knew something about
the murder. These have never been seen,
and they must be found before definite
work can be accomplished.
There were four brothers in the Briggs
family, NJ NJ Briggs of this city, his mis-
sing brother d. B. Briggs, and two others
living in Iowa Mr.. Briggs does not know
how long he will be absent, but probably
many months, as he is determined not TO
give up the search until
THE MURDERER is FOUND
if possible, or his identity es-
tablished He is man of
great determination, has travelled ex-
understands human nature pretty
and will not relinquish the
search without good cause. He goes
alone, preferring to prosecute his inquiries
in that way, and will not make himself
known in Pendleton at first, except to one
or two, and may conclude to call in detec-
tive aid afterwards
The people of this vicinity know him to
be hard worker, and that he will find out
the particul ars of the case if it can be
learned.
THE MURDERED MAN
was strong physically, and match for
anyone single handed, which leads Mr..
Briggs to conclude that more than one
did the work The team he drove is de-
he was murdered for his money. Mr..
Briggs has been over the mountains, is
accustomed to the country and will suffer
no inconvenience on that account. Every
body will wish him success in his search
for his missing brother, and if murdered as
be believes, it is hoped he may be able to
find the guilty parties and cause their
arrest.
The Philadelphia Inquirer of December
Goth refers to the case of Major I. A.
Hitler No, 2235 Master street, that city,
who suffered so terribly with rheumatism