The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-29
WAS ONCE WEALTHY
G. w. Briggs, the Physical
Wreck, Has a History.
INVESTED S22, 900 IN LAND
In Oklahoma, but Misfortune
Reduced Him to Poverty.

G. W. Briggs, the self-confessed physi-
cal wreck. caused by the use of morphine,
who figured prominently IN the circum-
stances surrounding the death OF his
character. Although broken down in
health and morality. he once was and Is
yet an intelligent nah, At years old Ac-
cording TO his own statements he has had
a career unsurpassed by many. Coming
from a proud and wealthy family, his
childhood and until he became a young
man, was surrounded by all the Injuries
Of life a promising future with all that
money could affard. stood before him.
This was years ago. Now he is an out
cast, banished from society, broken down
in wealth, health and all He is the pic
ture of a typical tramp. His body, his
clothes are dirty and filthy. not sign of
decency being apparent N the makeup OF
G. w. Briggs. His sole aim and thought
is morphine and dope" and when his
system is fun of this stimulant he cares
for nothing more-his wishes are graft
fed
Yet in this man Chief OF Police Cubbon
and the other city hall attaches have TAX
en- an interest. He is an object OF pity,
but notwithstanding his physical con-
dition he shows remarkable intelligence
and talks very interestingly.
At one time, not later than the middle
eighties, Briggs was in a prosperous con-
didon. according to his claims, and count
ed his money by thousands He told his
story to Chief Cubbon aud 1t has the
semblance Of truth From his talk Briggs
has a thorough knowledge OF the land
laws governing Oklahoma and Indian Ter
ritory. He says soon after congress
passed the law allowing the Indians to
sell portion of their aliotments he had
made about $4,000 in town lots at Okla
homa City and Lexington. all Of which he
invested in buying walnut land strips
along the Canadian river, which was a
government stream. At one time, by
reason Of the river changing its course,
he claims 10 have came into possession
Of other valuable lands aoutting to his
property. He had his receipts for the
purchase OF the lands from the Indians,
but Hoke Smith. who was secretary of the
interior under Grover CIevelaud's admin
istration, was a long time IN ratifying
the sale and delivering HIS deed to the
land. In the meantime a Kentucky syn
dicate was formed to control these valu-
able walnut timber lands in Oklahoma
and an attempt was made 70 get pos
session of this property. There was a
contest but Briggs claims to have gained
the decision at Washington, but the Ken
lucky company made him pay $3.50 for
Irregularities However, Hoke Smith
never sent the deeds to Briggs. and for
some reasof they were afterwards OBJ
tanned by the Kentucky people.
These lands are now worth thousands
and thousands of dollars, but Briggs con-
tends that he could never establish his
claim
Chief Of Police Cubbon believes that the
fellow tells the truth. Briggs gave him
the names Of his Washington attorneys
and ne will attempt to have<his state
ments verified. He also said that Dennis
Flynn was Interested IN his claim, and
by threatening to sue the Kentucky peo-
pie, succeeded in getting check for s.. 30
for him. Briggs claims that II was a bold
robbery. and as he will remain here for
a few days. he says he will produce re-
ceipts showing that he purchased the
property. He claims 10 have a wife and
child in Texas. but he will not return to
them because he says he is an unworthy
husband and father