The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-03
jim WEAYER'S DEATH.
WsaTsfs Wife Goes to Atlanta and Identifies
J. W. Pisrce'S Remains.
Another Claimant BObs Up in the Lone star
State-TwO Suits Ordered Against the
Railroad on Account of
Weaver's Death.

Reference was made some days ago to the
probable death of James P. Weaver in rail-
road accident near Atlanta, Ga, he, at the
time passing under the name of Pierce. lie
had deserted his wife here and was living
with Mrs. William Eden in Texas The fol-
lowing curious story is told In special TO
1he Courier Journal from Atlanta, where
Mrs. Weaver went to identify the remains OF
her husband:
In the terrible collision on the Georgia
Pacific Road last December, in which four
teen persons were killed outright, there were
among che victims ]. W. Pierce, a wealthy
Tanchman, from Los Angeles, Tex. The
next day his body was brought to Atlanta.
1t was taken to Swift's, where it remained
for week awaiting the arrival OF Pierce 5
son, who has been notified by telegraph of
the old mans death. The son failed to come,
and the remains were laid to rest in West
View Cemetery. Several days after Pierce 5
death Mr.. Walter Il. Brown received letter
from Congressman Peelle. of Indianapolis,
Ind Congressman Peelle said that he had
reason 10 believe that J. W. Pierce, the Texas
stockman, who was thought killed in the
collision, was :. Pierce Weaver, OF Indiana.
and. If such was the case, Mrs. Wea-
yer, his wife, a resident of indianapolis,
would like to know it. Mr.. Brown forward
ed his information TO indianapolis, and in a
Mrs. Weaver identified the man as her hUs-
band. Mr.. Brown was then retained as Mrs.
Viewers attorney. and was instructed to
proceed against the railroads in a suit for
damages, and TO recover what money the
man had when he died. AT the same time
Mrs. Weaver took ont letters of admins
tratiOn on Weaver, or Pierce'S estate, and
correspondence between her and Mr.. Brown
ensUed. About the same time that Mr..
Brown heard from indianapolis. MesSrs.
Gartrele and LadSen received a letter from
Mrs. J. w. Pierce, of Texas, in
which she claimed to be the
wife OF the dead man. This letter,
like the one Mr.. Brown received, contained
statements which convinced every one who
read them that the writer knew the dead man
well. Mrs. Pierce instructed the attorneys,
with whom she had been corresponding. TO
sue the road on which Mr.. Pierce was killed,
and they are now doing so.
Thus two women are asking the railroad TO
pay for the death of the same man. Mr..
Brown, in the course of his correspondence
with Mrs. Weaver, suggested that she had
better come to Atlanta, and yesterday the
lady reached the city. She was accompanied
by f. Hedges, an Indianapolis undertaken,
who knew Weaver for years. Soon after
reaching Atlanta Mrs. Weaver and Mr..
Hedges called upon Mr.. Brown, and after a
consultation. il was decided to 20 to West
View, take up the body, and remove al
doubt by looking at the dead man. On the
way out Mrs. Weaver told her companion a
most sensational story.
"James Pierce Weaver and I ," she said,
''were married IN Chicago. on the 18th of
February, 1876. Rev, !. i. Gulliver. pastor
of the new Congregational Church, per-
formed the ceremony. and then we went
back to Indianapolis. My husband was an
undertaken and did well. About 1852 he
sold out everything and with $1,000 in cash
started 10 Texas to buy a ranch. ! sewed
the money in his clothes before he left. and
i know what he had. He said he would get
good ranch and send tor me. Well, after
ne was gone awhile, heard from him in
Fort Worth. He wrote 10 me that he was
going TO buy hotel, and afterward that he
had changed his mind and would buy a
ranch. After he had been gone quite awhile,
i heard that he was running hotel in Fort
Worth and that he was living with a woman
i went to Fort Worth and found
this 70 be true. and l prosecuted
him He was fined 81 600 and ! went
back home. Afterward ne wrote me that he
had broken away from the woman aud that
he would buy a ranch and send for me- lie
instructed me to direct his letters to J. W.
Pierce and did So | have heard from him
regularly, and have all the letters. / would
know him anywhere. He had dark hair,
turning gray, ard il curled slightly. On
both feet the toes turn back like they We're
cramped with a shoe, and il amounts almost
TO defOrmity."
When the party reached the cemetery the
grave was opened, but before the collin was
taken out Mr.. Hedges stood beside the grave
ana asked some one TO take Off the plate over
the g.sss. The plate was removed and the
dead mans face revealed. Mr.. Hedges
glanced at IL and said That's Pierce
Weaver The coffin was taken out and Laid
on the ground, the lid was removed, and
then Ms. Pierce left the carriage and looked
at the ace
''Ye.. that's Jim Pierce Weaver, my hus-
bard she SAID. Now remove the sock and
see the toes
The socks were both taken oil and the pc
culisrity described by Mrs Weaver were
found Other marks on body described by
the lady were found Just as she said they
would be, and then the body was again
buried. and the party returned to town.
Mrs. Weaver Il a progressing looking
lady. and brings with her the strongest kind
of letters from the Mayor of indianapolis q
Judge OF the Supreme Court. and other Off
Gals She Will remain in the city few day'
and then take her husbands body back u
indianapolis, where she viii have 10 inferred
Mrs. Weaver has instructed Mr.. Brown q
bring suit against the railroads She viii
also 20 to Texas and take charge of her hus
bands property in that State. or start
another law suit. When Pierces body va.
brought back to Atlanta $500 was found or
him The Texas claimants have written Il
Mr.. W. o. Jones, who has the money, for II
but Sir. Brown has requested Mr.. Jones tC
bold the money. The suit thus launched OF
the sea of law will be long but tedious one
The silver Question.
X spencer in Fort Wayne Journal
Some time ago a committee was appointed