Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-03-27
FOUL PLAY IS FEARED.
Death of Frank E. Briggs
Still a Mystery.
MAY HAVEBEEN ASSAULTED
On His Arrival at New York After At
tending the Inauguration.

BENNINGTON, VT, March T-The mys-
terry as to what caused the recent death Of
Frank K. Briggs in Brandon is AS great
now as IL was two weeks ago, when he was
brought to his home from New York In an
unconscious state, in which condition he
remained 4S hours, when he died.
Mr.. Briggs had been for a number Of
years the most public spirited man in
Brandon, and was considered one of the
wealthiest men there.
Several weeks before his death he went
into voluntary bankruptcy, carrying down
with him his brother, George Briggs.
whose fortune Of $50, 900 was entirely swept
away.
For several years he had been quite a
hard drinker. He suffered from Bright's
disease and for the past year had been
troubled with throat difficulty, the whole
In measure interfering with his attention
TO business
His health having improved he, in COM
pany with G. Ii. Forbes, went To attend
the Inauguration services at Washington.
After reviewing the parade he left Mr..
Forbes at the Ebbitt House, where the
former was to call for him later.
When Mr.. Briggs left Mr.. Forbes he was
well dressed, wore a large and valuable
diamond shirt stud and ring, and had over
500, and also watch and chain.
According to appointment, Mr.. Forbes
called for Mr.. Briggs at the Ebbitt House,
but he was not there, neither was his name
recorded on the register, and no one had
seen any person anwering to his descrip-
tion. All attempts to discover his where
abouts resulted in failure Efforts of de-
tectives also proved unavailing.
Nothing whatever can be learned of the
whereabouts of Mr.. Briggs from the time
the two men parted Saturday until about
10 o'clock the Wednesday following, when
a cab drove up to the residence of Mr..
Briggs cousin in New York. In the cab
was a negress and Mr.. Briggs, who was
In PitiabIe Condition.
His overcoat, travelling bag, diamond
stud and pin were gone and he was par
TALLY unconscious.
The cabman stated that they found Mr..
Briggs at the depot, To which statement
Mr.. Briggs sh <ok his head, as he could not
talk. The cabman and colored woman
drove away before the number of the cab
was taken or before inquiry could be made
as to where il belonged.
From his appearance when taken into
the house of his cousin, Mr.. Briggs had
evidently been badly assaulted He was in
a partially crazy condition and talked
principally about the theater He could
give no possible account of how he got to
New York or what he had been doing.
The matter was reported to Superinten-
dent Byrnes of the New York police as
soon as possible by his brother George,
who had him conveyed to Brandon, and
who determined to have the matter
brought to light, If possible, but thus far
no clew has veen found, Mr. Briggs receiv-
ing letter Saturday saying there were no
new developments.
From the time he was brought to his
home until his death Mr.. Briggs was un-
conscious, never being able to give one
word of information about his treatment
or robbery. In his delirium he frequently
spoke of a
Fight That Had Occurred,
with no reference to locality, time or par
ticipants.
Mr.. Briggs had In his hand the top Of a
playbill, on which was written ~. G.
Knott, ,236 East Forty-sixth street "The next
day letter addressed to him was received,
which was signed Joseph G. Knott"
which substantially stated that il any
thing was wanted TO send for him. The
writing on the playbill and signature to
the letter were both alike. Who Mr.
Knott is, or was, is as yet unknown.
There is feeling that he got in with
crowd of men who, after finding out that
he had relatives in New York, attacked
him, knocked him down and after robbing
him loaded him into the cab and gave
directions where to take him.
On che side of his head were marks,
which looked as if they were made by be-
ing struck by some hard substance. There
were also finger marks on his throat It 10
hoped that some light may yet be thrown
upon the probable crime.