John Biggs (1901)

BIGGS, CHASE

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 9/7/2009 at 11:10:27

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, January 17, 1901
Page 1

HE TAKES HIS OWN LIFE

The Victim is John Biggs, a Well Known Citizen of Winterset.

A RAZOR IS THE INSTRUMENT USED.

Deed was Done in the Front Room of the Macabees’ Hall Last Friday Forenoon, but he was not Discovered until about 7:30 in the Evening.—Death Resuilts at 8 o’clock Sunday Morning.

It would be hard to find a more startled community than was Winterset last Friday evening when the word went around that John Biggs, the well known job printer, had made an attempt on his own life—an attempt that appeared certain to prove successful. He was janitor of the Maccabees’ Hall, in which that order and some others held their meetings. When Wm. Furrow and another man went to the hall Friday evening, but little before the time when the Labor Union was to meet, he found the room dark. He unlocked the door, went in and turned on the light in the hall, and, happening to look into the front room, saw the body of a man lying in a pool of blood. Medical assistance was immediately summoned, and restoratives applied. He soon showed some signs of returning vitality. Some hours later he so far recovered as to indicate by writing that he committed the deed at 11:30 in the forenoon, so he must have lain there about eight hours in the cold room. He also said that he was brought to the act by financial distress and failing health. He appeared to have planned his work deliberately. He removed his hat, coat, vest, cuffs, collar and necktie, and placed them on a chair. He procured a coal hod to catch the blood, and lying upon a table, he cut his throat, entirely severing the trachea and the esophagus about half. He afterwards fell from the table. Near him was found the razor, the case of which had been carefully returned to his vest pocket upon the chair. The next morning he wrote for his daughter’s perusal that he enjoyed peace of mind, was “at peace with God”, and it was better for him to fast away. Soon after noon Saturday he was taken home, and every effort possible made for him, yet with the constant feeling that all effort was without hope, further than rendering his last hours as comfortable as possible. The end came on the 26th anniversary of his marriage.

Mr. Biggs had been for many years prominent in church, Sunday school and fraternal society work. He came to Winterset about July 1, 1880, having been engaged as foreman of the MADISONIAN office, which position he held for seventeen years, or until July 1, 1897. For something over a year thereafter he operated the job office of Alexander & Co. on the shares and when they resumed possession of it, he procured an outfit of his own and carried on the job printing business until the day of his fatal act.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., conducted by his pastor, Rev. Chas. J. English, assisted by the other pastors of the city.

The following orders, to which deceased belonged, attended the services, bearing their respective regalia, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of the Maccabees, Woodmen of the World, Highland Nobles and Labor Union. He was also a Mason, but the conditions did not allow of that order attending except as individuals.

To render such sympathy as they might, Mr. Robert Biggs, of Oquawka, Ill., a brother of deceased, and Rev. R. A. Chase, of Pueblo, Col., a brother of Mrs. Biggs, and Miss Mary Harris and Mrs. Kendrick, of Greenfield, daughters of Rev. F. Harris, former pastor here, came to attend the funeral. The family were all present except the oldest son, Howard, who was too far away to arrive in time, though probably on the way.

John Biggs was born September 30, 1848, at Biggsville, Ill., a town founded by his father, taking its name from him. He was married January 13, 1875, to Adaline Chase, who with five children, two sons and three daughters survive him.

It is an exceedingly sad blow to the family, an affliction to which they deserve and should require the sincerest sympathy of every one. Meanwhile, let not a voice of criticism be raised over the act of poor John Biggs. We all know how he lived among us. The memory of such a life as his deserves no less than the charity of sympathy with his feeling of despondency, and of silence in the presence of a profound mystery. Let him rest in peace.
________________________

Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, January 18, 1901
Page 1, Columns 1 & 2

Similar article as the MADISONIAN except it names his children as follows: "He leaves a widow and five children: Howard, Will, Miss Jessie Biggs, of Greenfield, Grace and Ethel. All but the latter are grown up".

Note: Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery. Cemetery records indicate this is an unmarked grave.

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