The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-04-07
DEATH OF FRANK E. BRIGGS.

The Bennington correspondent of the
Burlington Free Press, has quite an ar
ticle of the recent death of Mr.. Briggs.
in which he says the mystery is as great
now as it was when he was brought to
his home from New York in an uncon-
scious state, in which condition he re-
manned As hours, when he died.
Mr.. Briggs had been for 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, carry
ing down with him his brother, George
Briggs, whose fortune of $780, 900 was en-
tirely swept away.
Mr.. Briggs soon after resigned his po-
sition as cashier of the First National
bank. 1t was soon rumored that there
were defalcations, but an examination
showed that the total amount of the
discrepancies in the accounts on the
books was less than $4,000, chiefly owing
to errors he must have made in book
keeping, and not with fraudulent intent.
His health seemingly having improved
he arranged to attend the Inauguration
services at Washington. On March End,
in company with G. II. Forbes, he started
for Washington, arriving there in time to
view the parade, after which Mr.. Briggs
left Mr. Forbes dt the Ebbitt house,
where he intended to take a room and
where Mr.. Forbes was to call for him
later.
When MIR. Briggs left Mr.. Forbes he
was we'll dressed, wore large and valu-
able diamond shirt stud and ring, and
had over 500, and also watch and chain.
Nothing whatever can be learned of
the whereabouts of Mr.. Briggs from the
time the two men parted i'll Washington
until about 10 o'clock the Wednesday
following, when 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 piViable condition.
His Overcoat, travelling bag, diamond
stud and pin were gone, and ne was par
TALLY unconscious.
From his appearance when taken into
the house of his cousin, Mr.. Briggs had
evidently been badly assaulted. He was
in partially crazy condition and talked
principally about the theatre. He could
give no possible account of how he got to
New York or what he had been doing.
Mr.. Town, seeing that he was in a very
bad condition, telegraphed Mr.. Briggs
brothers, one of whom Immediately left
for New ork, returning with Mr.. Briggs
to Brandon Saturday morning.
The matter was reported to Supt.
Byrnes of the New York police as soon
as possible by his brother George, who
is determined to have the matter brought
to light, if possible, but thus far no clew
has been found, Mr.. Briggs receiving a
letter Saturday saying there was no new
developments.
From the time he was brought to his
home until his death Mr.. Briggs was uu-
conscious, never being able to give one
word of information about his treatment
or robbery. In his delirium he frequent
ly spoke of a fight that had occurred
with no reference to locality, time OIL
! participants.
1t is not believed by his friends thai
he was picked up at the Grand Central
depot in New York, but there is feel
ing that he got with a crowd of men
who, after finding out that he had rela
tives 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 the side of his head were marks
which looked as if they we're made by
being struck by some hard substance
There were also finger marks on his
| throat.
The attending physicians state thai
Mr.. Briggs death was caused by con
cussion of the brain, which could have
been brought about by blows or fall
and 1t is hoped that some light may yet
be thrown upon the probable crime.