Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-24
UNDOUBTEDLY MURDER.
BUT THE MYSTERY CONCERNING E.
T. BROWN STILL UNS0LVED.
Resume of the Case-Additional Reward
The Life Insurance-Search for
the Body-Suspected Parties
Other Incidents.

Today is the fifth day since the disap-
pearance of Edgar T. Brown ON Saturday
night became known. While the actual
manner of his disappearing cannot be
stated with any more accuracy than the
day after the murder, yet many theories
and rumors have been exploded and the
matter has sifted down to practically two
propositions. One is that he was muir
dered for his money and jewelry. The
other is that he has run away. The the
DRY of murder has gained very largely
upon all others as the days have passed,
until now only few hold to any different
one. Some who at first guess said The has
run away" cling tenaciously to that opin-
ion still for two reasons. One is that they
hope he is not dead, and another is that
such was their first surmise. But nearly
everyone who has given the case much at
tention, if he entertained the alb
sconding theory, has changed In
that regard during the past
two days. One gentleman in particular,
who knew Mr. Brown intimately and
knew much OF his financial and other bus
mess affairs, said as late as Monday night
that he believed he had run away, be-
yesterday, circumstances have caused
me to entirely change my mind in this
matter. | am thoroughly convinced that
Mr.. Brown has been murdered and his
body carried some distance away. 1t Is
just as likely to be away south as to be
north of the scene of the murder. My
reasons for changing my opinion are first
Mr.. Brown had nothing in the world to
run away from. at first thought that he
was in a very bad way financially, but
have since learned that his financial status
is really quite good. There was nothing
pressing him. Instead OF all the way from
1900 to $4,000 worth of judgments
against him the only one was for 81, 700,
and that was secured upon property worth
much more than that amount today. All
OF the interest on other paper that he had
out was paid up to and ahead of the
present time He held fully as much good
paper on other people as he had outstand-
ing against him. In addition to this he
had large amount of good real property
and five thousand dollars Of paid up bank
stock. Then. too, a man who contem-
plated running away would not have done
the things which l have since learned he
did. He sold a note last week for some
500. Out of this he paid Mr.. L. w.
Clapp S205 as interest on loan, He paid
Mr.. j. j. Mcnamara, who succeeded him
as treasurer OF the Gun club, s160. He
alsospaid a coal bill of some S57, besides
numerous large and small bills at other
places. In addition to these he gave his wife
$1,000 | am credibly informed-and evil
IDENTIFY had quite an amount of money on
his person the night he was killed. He
was certainly killed for the diamond stud,
the diamond ring the diamond sleeve but
tons and the elegant gold watch which he
carried. These were worth in ell, some
these circumstances, am certain that he
would not have distressed his family by
such conduct"
AS an indication of the high character
which Mr.. Brown bore where he resided
before he removed to this city, the follow
ing letter may be quoted. II was received
yesterday from the head of the firm for
whom Mr.. Brown was for several years
the head bookkeeper and a confidential
employe. 1t speaks more in his favor than
can be undone by any number of unwar-
ranted accusations of people who are I'M
familiar with either the man or the cir
cumstances SO far developed, or with both.
OFFICE OF CURRY, HOWARD & Co,
WHOLESALE GROCERs,
LEXINGTON, hY., Jan. u, 1889.
Mr.. John T. Figg, Wichita. Kansas.
Dear Sir:-I was shocked today to learn
from the Cincinnati morning papers, of
the murder of my dear friend Mr. Z. T.
Brown Can it be so? Please write me
and send me papers containing a full ac-
count OF particulars. He was a true man
and one for whom had the highest regard.
His bereaved wife and family have my
profoundest sympathy.
With best wishes,
Very truly YOURS