The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-25
Strange Conflict Of Direct and
CircumstantiaI Evidence.
WHEN DID HE DIE2
Indications Are That It Was or
April 81.
Positive Evidence That He Was
Alive After That.

On the afternoon of May l. the dead
body of Omar Newman. agent for the
Mutual Life Insurance company OF
New York, was found lying on couch
in his horne at 314 Woodlawn avenue.
Potwin-
During the three weeks which have
interviewed since that time circumstances
have been discovered and clues have
been unraveled which makes the death
of Omar Newman one OF the most mys-
terious ever ever brought to the atten-
ton Of the authorities and citizens of
Topeka
What caused Newman's death? When
did he die2 Why did he not open or an
sWer any letters for at least a week
prior to his death? Did he eat any food
during the week before he died? Was
Omar Newman inRane3
These are some OF the questions which
may never be answered. But the evil
dence which has been secured by his
friends is amazing. Circumstantial ev-
idence and direct evidence are in direct
contradiction.
Omar Newmans habits Of life may be
taken as the basis of the Investigations
which have been made 1t is of import
ance to note that Mr.. Newman was
practically a bankrupt AL his proper
ty was in his wife's name. All his mon
had any money! except what his wife
gave him. Mr.. Newman was very
careful man in financial matters. He
kept an exact account of all the money
he spent. and had done 50 for many
years.
On April IS, Mrs. Newman left for a
visit to Los. Angeles, Cal. Before leaving
she gave her husband $50 which he de-
posted in the bank. It was all he had.
Mr.. and Mrs Newman were an unus-
= ,Twr
been their custom when separated, to
write to each other every day. This Gus
tom was continued when Mrs. Newman
went to California.
Here is where the first peculiar cir
cumstance occurs. The last letter which
Mr.. Newman wrote to his wife was
posted on April q. The last letter he
opened from his wife was cancelled with
the Topeka receiving stamp of April 20.
Six unopened letters from Mrs. New
man, all received after April 20, were
found on Mr.. Newman's desk in the Col
umbian building.
The latest date on any newspaper
found in Mr.. Newman's house was April
on the dining table in Mr. Newman's
house was a half eaten meal. which Mr..
Newman himself had prepared. In Mr.
Newman's account book. the last items
entered are the articles of food found
on the table. The date OF these entries
is April 20.
The amount Of money Mr. Newman
had in the bank. the amount of cash in
his pocket. and the total Of the amounts
entered in his account book balance to
a cent with the $50 his wife gave him
Mr.. Newman did not spend cent ar
ter April 20. Did he eat anything after
that date2
All these circumstances indicate
strongly that Omar Newman died on
April p or p. But there is direct, per-
sonal testimony that Mr.. Newman was
alive on April p.
The fact that Mr.. Newman was alive /
and well after April q is proved by the |
following facts
He called at the Santa Fe hospital to |
visit sick friend on the afternoon of 1
April FL He was not crazy then.
He called again at the hospital on 4
April 2 and brought some fruit with |
him. He was sane.
On April "a he went to the city IL
brary, took out book. read it and re- |
turned it before he left the library The |
library records show This
On April 25 he called at H. G. Lari- |
mer's Office to talk about business mat /
ters. He and Mr. Larimer discussed |
the Parker Hughes mandaSnus suit He 4
showed not the least sign of insanity /
Mrs. S F. Lux, who lives next door to |
the Newman family in Potwin, says /
that she remembers a light in the New
man house on the evening of April %, |
and every evening prior thereto that |
week
bors planting geraniums in his yard 4
On the same day he was seen by Post 4
master Bunker at Potwin substation, |
and by Street Car Conductor Tincher
who runs on the Potwin line
On April "A he was seen on the steps
OF the Colun bian building by Mrs
Walter Gust Query: Why did he not /
60 TO his desk and open the three let
ters from his wife which were there
at that time? He was only a few steps
from his office door.
MI Newman promised to take sun
day dinner with Mr.. and Mrs. Lux on
April - This promise was made a
week beforehand. The guest did not
keep his appointment. He was not
seen alive after April q, so far as can
be ascertained-
proves that Mr.. Newman died on AnriI
p or p. Direct evidence shows that be
yond question he was alive on April az.
Here is another peculiar circurr-
stance. Mr. Newman was a very care
ful and clearly man in his personal
habits Yet after his wife left home
on April IS Mr.. Newman, to all ap-
pearances, did not sleep in anv of the
beds In the Newman house, nor did he
change his clothes.
The letters which Mr. Newman
wrote to his wife on April 1S 1e. 20 aud
p were pleasant and jovial in tone. and
seemed to indicate that he was in the
best of spirits.
These are the facts concerning the
death of Omar Newman. Where is the
sherlock Holmes who viii explain what
happened to Mr.. Newman during thar
mysterious interval Of seven days2
Adventiats at Mcpherson.