Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-15
A RAY OF LIGHT.
1T WAS NOT ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
NEWO0ME DID NOT SHOOT
HIMSELF"
something Of What Newcome Has to
Say Of the Tragedy-A Real
Estate Transaction.

by far the most interesting feature of
the Clearwater tragedy, of recent date, in
which it has been generally supposed MI
Newcome attempted suicide, seems to
have been held back securely for some
days and from this fact also it is given an
additional degree of interest. For some
days after the shot was fired the unfortun-
ate man was unable to speak much Of the
time knew little of what happened around
him. He was thus deprived and unable to
make statement of how the shooting had
occurred or give any hints of his side of
the story. As he crossed over the line of
consciousness there were many things
that happened which caused those in at
tendance at his bed side TO think all the
facts connected with the said affair had
not reached the public. On one occasion
a couple of visitors, tEoughtless to a de-
gree, spoke in low tone near his bed side
about suicide. The patient could hear
and at once he made an effort to the extent
OF his ability to speak. The power Of
language to the extent of expressing HIM
self was yet denied him so his efforts did
little but cause those who CHANGED to be
at his bedside regret that he had been
given sufficient cause for excitement.
While he could perfectly understand what
was said, and so indicated, the effect Of
the wound was such that he was denied
expression. From one of those who have
been with him much it was learned that
on two or three different occasions similar
references were made and it was followed
by an earnest efforts on the part of the
patient to make a statement. Gradually
his language faculty improved and few
days ago he was able to give coherent
expression to his thoughts and his physi-
clans hopes for recovery were greatly in
creased So far the evidences of improve
ment have been increasing, in the estimate
of the attending physician, and no special
effort has been made to secure a statement.
His friends and attorney have kept faith
full watch and with the fact of his gradual
Improvement they have thought 1t best
not to take a statement as 1t might result
in an over excitement which in the criti-
cal moments mi ht Of itself cause the
wound to prove fatal. This policy was
outlined and followed to certain degree,
knowing full well in case he should re-
cover he would be able to give complete
information. While this was generally
agreed upon by his physicians, attorney
and attendants, certain statements have
been allowed, or rather permitted, as
result of an intense desire on the patient
to make them. On Thursday af
ternoon, in the presence of some
of his friends he made some
very important and startling statements
which, to some who have been with him
much, were by no means total surprise,
but most remarkable and startling. The
lack of surprise was due TO the fact of Ger
tain partially incoherent remarks which
had led to suspicious as horrible as the
facts as stated when perfectly able to do.
so. His physician was one of 1.-THE number
present, and is authority for the statement
that on Thursday at the time he made the
statements he was mentally able to do so
as before the day Of the accident.
The statement made is the important
feature. What it was, in the entire, con-
sent has not been gwen for its publication,
But to one of those present it was asked.
did Newcome shoot HIMSELF"
The answer came with intense earnest
ness:
mo, he did not"
Again the question as to the
person guilty of the crime
and the answer as far as print is concered
was not made"
is it then an established fact that
Newcome did not attempt suicide?"
Il can most emphatically say with the
greatest emphasis that he did not" Con-
tinuing he said 1.-THE report Of financial
trouble, so far as it related to the class of
financial trouble referred to, had nothing
to do with the trouble. And as to the re-
port of family trouble" growing red in
the face and speaking with every fibre,
that was started by the class of individu-
ais who SANDER the dead or those whom
they think in helpless condition and who
can very easily as result of a small pc
cuniary transaction be induced to hold
back the truth when they find it out. 1t
chances that number of us in this city
know Mr.. Newcome, his family here
and relatives at his former home,
and we also know some other people
and their history and how they carry on
business. This comes in logically after
what l know of the statement of Mr. New
come having been present when it was
made"
In case the patient should show signs of
weakening, what is known as a dying
statement will be taken, and with this OBJ
ject in view and to carry out the original
plan he is being guarded with all the care
that his critical condition demands, and
with all the care outside influence might
dictate in the interest of absolute protec-
ton.
BUSINESS TRANSACTION.
Whether the matter under the sub-head
comes in logically or not, will not be indi-
Gated. 1t concerns Mr.. Newcome, how
ever, and may be of interest in this con-
nection. An attorney of the city who has
done considerable work in business way
for Mr.. Newcome is responsible for some
of the facts stated, while other
friends who know much Of his
business are authority for other informa-
ton. 1t seems that nearly one year ago
Newcomb sold a certain piece of real es-
tate which came to him with mortgage
on it and the same was assumed by the
man who purchased the property from
him. The mortgage became due last No
vember and the one holding the same
he could not get his money from
the man who then had the property threat
ened TO bring legal action against New |
come for payment. He did not consider |
it just that he should pay it and spoke to
a certain gentleman Of the city about the |
and said be believed he |
would deed some unincumbered property !
TO F. L. Tillinghast, of Clearwater until |
the mortgage matter should be settled. |
He was advised, according to the inform |
ant, who is the gentleman Mr.. Newcome |
talked to about the matter, that the |