The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-07-31
THE BODY OF GEORGE WEHMAN FOUND
BURIED HEADFOREMOST IN AN OLD WELL
of Union City Citizen and the Fright
full Tragedy of His Death.

On little 20-acre tract Of land lying
just beyond Esq. s. r. Bratton s farm,
separated by what has been known in
the community as Lovers Lane, is
an old deserted well, walled in an irreg-
ular manner with brick. The we'll was
once used by the owner of the place
some years ago, butt since the change OF
ownership was deserted, and the little
farm became parcel OF larger land
holdings and untenanted by anyone.
This old well is about three miles
westward Of Union City and is located
we'll out in the field. It is not easily
distinguished from the road. There is
no covering, and stranger, hunting or
otherwise trespassing, might possibly
stumble into it If not very careful OF his
footing.
On the afternoon Of the day on which
the body was found DR.. T. E. Marshall
and family came to town and returned
home. Afterwards DR.. Marshall returned
with bis daughter 1t had become gem
orally known that searching parties were
out looking for Wehman or his re-
mains. and, passing this way, which is
part Of his route, DR.. Marshall came
in contact with the foul air surrounding
the place. He concluded to get out
and see what hecould find. A dead dog
was first discovered, but be was urged to
look farther, and, walking up to the old
we'll, he saw the body Of dead man,
his head and shoulders partially sub
merged in the water. As hereinafter
stated the news was dispatched to Gen-
eral Caldwell in Union City and the
proper officers notified
Many years ago, in the flush OF Union
City's business prosperity there came a
number Of Germans and among these
was G. r. H. Zimmerman, an old-time
barber, known almost everywhere by
people who visited Union City. He
kept the leading shop and enjoyed a
large patronage. In this shop came
young George Wehman, who was either
an apprentice or had short time be-
fore engaged in the barber's trade, and
there was something in the old couplet
which the young barber suggested
There stands a shrewd barber with |
rasOr and pan
Both talking and shaving as fast as he
can.
Whether he was really shaving fast
Or not, there was no question in regard
10 the conversation, and it was not long
dntiI he acquired the friendly and un-
lying soubriquet OF "Choppy, rather
IN indication Of his manner Of speech
more than anything else. In the old
lays the Zimmerman shop was the
of the better class Of trade,
md Choppy was better known than he
vas in later years when his old employer
'losed out and moved away. 1t was
shop for some time and then
he old place then became landmark
md memory, and with its passing
Jhoppy's time was divided between |
'aiRting and barbering Domestic
roubles in recent years separated Web
nan and his wife, and be was quietly
tending to his work and mixing with
cry few people. He travelled to and
70 at his work, and was friendly and
leasant with those he met, but sought
cry little company. y
On the night Of July IL, at about 8 :
clock, Geo. Wehman called Mr.. Bur =
ick over the phone and spoke Of end z
lg his family troubles. He con- Z
ded in Mr.. Burdick as friend, and I
lat is in part the cause Of Mr. Bur- :
ck's interest, together with general
terest in our public affairs, ia insti- 7
ting search for the missing man. y
REWARDS WERE OFFERED.
Miss Clara Wehman had offered 500 i,
r her iather's body, Mr.. Burdick an i;
her 500. Posses had been organized /.
search, as the missing man so mys- M
,iously disappeared on the night OF Il
ly ii, in his working clothes, was
lieved to be dead A mass meeting Il
IS called for Friday night at the City a.
i'll. Shortly before sundown the same !
Bning, DR.. 7. B. Marshall, living west
town, upon the instance Of his wife,
liked over his field to an old we'll on co
at is known as the Edwards farm, gu
ned by Clifford Joyner. Just beyond fol
! farm OF Squire Sam Bratton Upon Be-
king into it he was terrified at the Ian