Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-22
CORONER AND COUNTY ATroR.
NEY NOW WORKING ON MUIR.
DER THEORY IN coLFAx.
DOUBT AUTHENTICITY OF
NOTE LEFT eY DEAD BANKER
New Evidence Secured Which Autnor'
tiles Refuse to Make Public - Say
They Will Have Some Startling
Testimony When Hearing 10 Re-
sumed-Check Banks Papers.


self-destruction has practically been
abandoned by the county authorities IN
the Wheelock case. Coroner James
Lee and County Attorney Thomas
Guthrie are now directing the invesu-
cation toward the only ether alterna-
tive-murder.
Both CT these officials are convinced
that the Colfax bank cashier was the
victim of one Of the cleverest and most
fiendish plots in the criminal history
Of the state. They believe that nus
death was accomplished in Des Moines
or nearby and the body lowered into
the river with it's crudely constructed
anchor to fit into the niche made LOT IL
by the letter to Mrs. Wheelock.
Neither the county attorney nor Ger
oner is willing to admit that this letter
is genuine and they point out that
even if its authenticity is established
beyond question there is the possibility
of its having been written under duress
or fraudulent representation.
Since the Investigation was lns'l-
tuted last week more than a suspicion
has lurked in the minds of those close
ly connected with the case that other
agencies than his own hands accom-
plished the bankers death. Every turn
in the case and practically every scrap
of evidence uncovered has strens tn
ened that belief.
The isolated spot on the Des Moines
river where the body was recovered,
practically inaccessible to man not
thoroughly acquainted with the terri
tory surrounding, first aroused suspic-
ION. The sack of rocks with its hun
bred pounds of dead weight raised an
other barrier in the direction Of sui
eide. Then there were the shoes. socks.
and trousers Of the dead man which
came out of the wafer fairly free from
mud altho the riverbottoIn leads away
toward the middle in mud knee deep.
New Evidence Obtained.
There were many other things which
were revealed in the inquiry that led
away from the suicide theory, not the
least Of which were complications in
the affairs Of the Colfax bank Of which
Wheelock was cashier. Saturday evil
dence was secured by the county au-
tfiorities which they state points with
grim certainty towards murder.
Coroner Lee refused to make public
the evidence Or where it was secured.
but stated that he expected to have
some startling developments within the
next few days. Many features Of the
case which at first baaled the investi-
gators have been worked out. Both the
coroner and county attorney spent all
Ia r5o yI ntf1 '1,. oil Of ho
night before interviewing the wdtne sses
who have supplied the new links in the
chain of evidence which they believe
will point out the murderer.
The prominence Of the dead banker,
the manner Of his death, the various
features in connection with his bank
ing relations and the mysterious angles
which have been evolved have aroused
a tremendous degree Ct interest in the
case over the state. This Is evidenced
by the fact that Coroner Lee and
County Attorney Guthrie receive large
Of letters from persons all over
Iowa suggesting means Of solving the
case.
Some Of them have come from per-
sons acQain with some phase Of the
case, but a majority aref rom persons
strangers to the officials and the case
but whose interest has been aroused
to the point that they desire to be Of
service.
To Check Banks Papers.
Coroner Lee will go to Colfax today
to check over some Of the banks pa
pers. The coroner was engaged in the
banking business for a number Of
years and expects to make a thorough
examination of the records.
VIII Maish, the handwriting expert
to whom Lee turned over the Wheel
ock letter to determine it's authenticity,
will not make a report to the coroner
until Tuesday.