Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-13
D|K MYSTERY GROWS.
1kAneHgR Wv4EELock, or coLFAx,
DECIDED SUDDENLY 70
~ KILL SELF.
DElIEvEp TO HAVE MADE
UP MIND SUDDENLY
Authorities Trying 20 Traes Move
msnts in Des Meinss and- Learn
Whom He Met rhers-Man Who
OwAd Bank; Largest Sum in Dss
Moinss At Same Tins.

Des Motnes, Dec. ISM. B. Wheel
ock, the Colfax bank cashier. whose
body was recovered from the De:
Moines river Monday, had. no though,
OF committing suicide when he am
to Des Moines OF h previous Monday
morning. This Is the belief OF his
friends and business associates in Des
Moines.
They believe that the crisis which
brought about his resolution to end his
life developed after his arrival here, &C
cording to statement made yesterday
A number of facts and theories are ad-
vanced in support OF this contention.
Most prominent OF their arguments is
the fact that Wheelock drew $3.50 on
of the bank just previous to his de-
parture from Colfax. Another is tha,
his body was recovered with diamonds
In the clothing valued at $1,000. They
argue that had the cashier intended TIC
end his life he would have brough,
neither the money or the valuable jew
els.
Some Development Hero the Cause.
The fac also Is pointed out that the
condition Of his bank was no more crit
ical than al any time in previous weeks.
1t is the belief Of this coterie of men
that Wheelock came here on a mission
and that the conference vas held here
or near with some person or persons
which was responsible for the plunge
into the water OF the river.
= The greatest mystery Slfrrolln6S the
movements Of the dead cashier from
the time that he left Colfax up to the
that he disappeared under
the surface Of the river. Coroner Lee
has been unable ever to trace him TO
Des Moines.
No one can be found who saw Wheel
ock on his way here, nor can a single
trace can be discovered Of his arrival or
presence in the city on the day Of
his disappearance.
Inquest Begins.
No case OF recent years in Polk
county has had the mysterious back
ground and peculiar surroundings OF
the Wheelock suicide. county officials
assert. AS q consequence they have
been able TO arrive at no definite the
ory as yet. but are reaching out in
every direction for information which
= oCdI ~ y
The inquest opened at the court
house this morning. A Des Moines
woman vii! be one OF the first wit
ne.ses. The other witnesses will In
clude Colfax people and local business
associates of the dead cashier.
Cashier Wheelocks will was fled
yesterday at the Jasper county court
house in Newton. 1t was dated Nov.
80. 1895, and drawn when Cashier
Wheelock lived IN Stuart, Ia.
ThN will provided for three things.
First, tina all his debts should be paid.
Second, that all the rest Of the estate
should go TO Mrs. Wheelock. Third,
that Mrs. Wheelock should be execu-
tor without bond.
York Questioned by State.
In three hours Of questioning OF G.
H. York. a Coffax merchant, Thursday
afternoon the state developed little or
nothing to throw any light on the af-
fairs of the late NJ. B. Wheelock. cash
Ter Of the Citizens Savings Bank. The
questioners were not able to ascertain
from Mr.. York where he stayed in Des
Moines the Monday night upon which
Wheelock Is supposed to have written
the letter to his wife announcing his
intention to commit suicide.
Auditor OF State John I. Bleakly
Yesterday disclosed much OF the find
ings of the hearing at Colfax Thurs
day. The greater par OF the time
York was giving testimony he was
required to Identify by memory his
checks and entries In his bank books
The state officials were anxious TO
establish positively that the condition
of the bank in relation to York was as
shown by the banks books. York's
checks and entries were found to tally
York admitted to the officials that ne
had come to Des Moines Monday. He
said thai he came up to Des Moines
and went back Monday evening, then
returned again to Des Moines and
stayed ali Monday night. He vas asked
at what hotel he stayed and ne said
tell the officials his whereabouts Mon
day night.
Points Needing Explanation.
For three hours Examiner Wolever
Assistant Attorney General Robbins
Attorney Clinton L. Nourse, Of Des
Moines, and Attorney w. o. McElroy
cross-examined York behind the closed
doors Of the Citizens State bank. They
called him In on a subpoena to find out
two things:
To explain why he had s12. 900 in
promissory notes in the bank and an
overdraft of some $4,000 on his &C
count.
To gain some clew thru this ex-
PLANTATION to the question that Colfax
is asking. why did Mortimer Wheel
ock take his own life?"
York gave no answe in the cross-
examination hat explained either
question to the satisfaction of the bank
examiners. To their questions OF why
is there s20,0 900 outstanding against
your account with the ank?" he made
the one statement that he did not know
his overdraft was so large. This is
what bank examiners say OF the con-
~ference.
The examiners also called Mrs. York
She told them nothing that would en-
tighten the mystery. Coroner Lee has
called York to appear before the cor
oners inquest this morning.
MCPHERSON TO HEAR CASES.
constitutionaiity Of Blue Skyq and