The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-17
DETAILS OF WlDMOYER'S DEATH
His Suicide Possibly Due to Fears of
APPROACHING Blindness.

Guthrie, O. T, Jan. 1e.-Further particu-
lars Of the suicide of Mr.. Widmoyer at
Oklahoma City are given in the Times
Journal of that place as follows:
At noon today Fred Widmoyer commit
TED suicide by shooting himself through
the head. The tragedy occurred in his
stable at the rear of his house on the
corner of Hudson and California avenue.
The public will be greatly shocked to
learn of the suicide of Mr. Widmoyer
for he has been for years the manager Of
the Western Union telegraph Office at
this place. No cause is assigned for the
act.
Mr. Widmoyer came home at noon in
company with his brother Ed. His broth
er went into the house while Mr.. Wild
moyer went to the stable In the rear of
the house The people in the house heard
a shot fired 5ut thought it was boy
shooting with a target rife. Mrs. Wild
meyer asked if Fred had come home and
was told that he was at the stable. She
sent the little boy after him The little
fellow came running back and said his
papa was killed. Mrs. Widmoyer hasten
ed to the barn and found her husband
lying in the barn with the blood and
brains oozing out Of a bullet hole in his
head. She called for assistance and other
members Of the family. including Mr..
COmstock and his wife. who live in the
adjoining house, came out Mr.. Wild
mover was not dead yet, and DR.. Nc
Twain was hastily summoned He arriv-
ed and examined the wound and said
there was no hope. The bullet entered
behind the right ear and lodged over the
left eye Kind hands lifted the PROSTATE
form and carried it into the house and
placed it upon the bed. Mr.. Widmoyer
continued to breathe heavily, and died
at 2:3O this afternoon.
Mr.. Widmoyer was 50 years Of age. He
leaves a wife and three children. He has
been here for several years and is well
known to almost everyone and had many
friends How he came to tatke his own
life is a mystery and a great shock to
all who knew his cheerful disposition. It
is believed by many that he became tenn
porarily insane and brooding over his
falling eyesight. It is thought that he
NAV have feared that he would become
totally blind. He had not complained
lately however. but his actions Sunday
morning were out of the ordinary, for on
that forenoon ne stayed away from the
Office for the first time, but otherwise
nothing unusual was noticed.
1t was learned late this afternoon that
Mr.. Widmoyer had undoubtedly contem-
plated suicide since Saturday On that
day he rented 3S-calibre revolver of C.
Hast. saying that he wanted it to kill
dogs and that he only wanted II for
few days The messenger boys at the Of
fee say ne was on his feet all the morn
ing and continually paced back and forth
In the room. hardly sitting down once
a. his table This afternoon Superinten-
dent c. 3. Horton arrived to look after
the affairs Of the office.
Mr.. Widmoyer came here about ten
years ago. since which time he has been
manager Of the Western Union Office
He was married here to Miss Bixler.
daughter Of Mr. Levi Bix1ar, who IS now
at his daughters side. Mrs. Widmoyer
IS almost crazed over the occurrence.
Noble County Fair Association
Guthrie. O. T, Jan. 16-Articles Of in
corporation for the Noble County Fair
and Trotting association have been fled
with the secretary of the territory. The
corporation is formed 10 hold and con-
duet fairs. trotting, racing and running
meetings. The directors arc; s. \. Moore !
J l. Pancoast. II. c Wailersted. ". c.
Myer. Link Lebus. D. b Herman. Y. c. {
WeIch. I. p Freeman and N c. Ford, /
all of Perry. Noble county. Oklahoma