The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-04-30
A BEDFORD SENSATION
Death of DR.. GoIliday Reveals That
MiSer had Immense Fortune in
Cash Hidden in His Office.

old doctor, was found dead in the little
shack which he used as an office and
living room at Bedford last Wednesday
morning, and after his body had been
removed it was found that the room
contained more gold, silver and paper
money than is generally found in any of
the county seat banks in Iowa.
The deceased had been resident of
Bedford for more than fifty years. He
was born in Indiana, and in 1857 entered
Rush Medical College at Chicago. and
after leaving school located at Bedford
where he soon built up an extensive
practice. 1t is said that some years
after locating at Bedford he fell in love
with beautiful young lady of that
town, but she chose to marry young
soldier who had just returned from the
war. DR.. Golliday from that time was
changed man, and lived like recluse
In the little drug store building which
he purchased in 1866, and the building
was left just as it was when he bought
it, as he never improved it. He lived
retired life, reading great deal, but
apparently did not care for the society
or companionship of others, and grad
ually became more and more of a re-
cluse. He owned several farms near
Bedford, and1 his little store building
was closed at times for several days,
no one paying any attention to it. He
had been dead for several days when
found, and the rats which infested the
place had mutilated the body.
The Bedford Times-Republican tells
of finding the fortune of the old doctor
as follows:
After the body of DR.. Golliday had
been removed from the room where he
died, the officers and relatives insti-
tuted search for valuables. The doctor
never had much confidence in banks,
and it was a matter of general rumor
that he had money hid away, but even
the widest dream Gid not equal the
reality that was revealed by the search
In box under the bed where he died,
81 800; other large sums were found in
the wealth was found when an old and
room was burst open. This safe had ap-
parently not been opened in years.
The combination was out of repair, and
an ak was brought into requisition to
break it open. When the door swung
OhCh, "OdlCu 6ulllClcuU W U0uDl d SdluG
was disclosed. The compartments in
tended for books had been boarded up.
and In there was packed gold, bills and
silver. Baskets, boxes and buckets
were used to carry the wealth across
the street to the Bedford National bank,
where force of five or six men worked
hours to count it. Altogether, there
were $37, ,297.54.
There were dozens of $3.50 gold pieces.
eagles, double eagles and coins of every
kind and denomination, including more
than two thousand silver dollars. Large
quantities of the bills were greenbacks,
of the kind in general circulation thirty
or forty years ago. Much of the money
was hoary with age and in many in
stances the bills were so closely glued
together that they we're separated only
with the greatest difficulty.
1t is not thought probable that all the
money has been found. Only cursory
search has yet been made. Last night
the buildings were guarded by officers,
and systematic search will be made.
While no doubt the bulk of the money
has been found it is very likely many
packages Of money have been over
looked and will later be found in some
out OF the way place.
The money when found was wrapped
in packages Of different amounts. The
coins were rolled in paper like they are
by banks, but the size Of the packages
were not uniform. $2,410 in bills was
found in one package, and the other
packages were of odd amounts. On
most of these packages the denomna-
tions OF the bills were marked, the tens,
fives and twenties being tied up separ-
ately.
So far no will has been found, and if
none is Forthcoming, the most of the
money will go to sister who resides
here, and to the heirs of three sisters
who are dead. Some Of these heirs live
in Oklahoma, some in Council Bluffs and
some elsewhere. The doctor is said to
have also had brother, but nothing is
known of him.
Before this money is divided the state
inheritance tax will have. to be paid,
and this will amount to a goodly sum.
Taylor county will also benefit by the
| finding of this treasure trove in the sum
of several thousand dollars. 1t seems
that none of this money has every been
assessed. Much of this money was in
! greenbacks, and the doctor no doubt
shared in the very common belief that
greenbacks were not taxable. Printed
on these bills are the words, "These
bills are non-assessable," and many be-
lieve this to mean that our assessor
cannot list them. This idea, however,
is not correct. They are taxable, and
the county will be entitled to the full
tax for five years, together with six per
cent interest.
! The finding of this money has caused
considerable excitement in Bedford.
Wherever two or three are gathered to.
gether this treasure trove is sure to be
the subject of discussion. Everybody be-
lieved DR.. Golliday had money, but that
he had this vast sum besides the three
farms and town property is almost un-
believable. Further finds are confident
| ly expected, but if no more money
comes to light, what has already been
found together with his real property
will total somewhere in the neighbor-
hood of 100000 to $4,000.
| This represents simply the savings of
a lifetime. But little of this has ac-
crued from Investment, and it seems
1 q lmoSt inarndi ihla fhat ono mon no,ld