Daniel Diggins (ca. 1867-1906)

DIGGINS, PEPPER, RAGAN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/18/2016 at 22:39:22

From Nevada Evening Journal October 1, 1906 (front page)

DID DANIEL DIGGINS COMMIT SUICIDE?

Body of Gilbert Station Man Found Near LaPorte, Indiana

The badly decomposed body of Daniel Higgins [sic] who lived between Gilbert and Ontario, just over line in Boone county, was found in the woods near La Porte, Indiana, the latter pat of the week. A registered letter was found in the pocket of Mr. Diggins, who had evidently committed suicide, addressed to his brother-in-law, Frank Pepper, who lives in Jackson township, near Ontario. James, the brother of the dead man, started Thursday for La Porte to investigate the circumstances of the death, and to bring back the body.

Daniel Diggins was born and raised near Ontario. He had made his home for number of years with his brother-in-law, Frank Pepper. A year ago, he went to Pocahontas county and farmed. About a year ago he wrote to his brother-in-law, Mr. Pepper, that his health was very poor, and he was going to travel. He went first to St. Paul. He was next heard from at Chicago in May. He had not been hear from or of since, until a telegram was received saying that his body had been found at La Porte, and that he had committed suicide Mr. Pepper telegraphed back to embalm the body and send it home. Word came, however, that the body was too badly decomposed, as it had evidently been lying about a month.

Mr. Day, the assessor, in the section in which Diggins lived last spring, stated that Diggins said that he was tired of living and had better be dead, which shows that he was even then considering suicide.

Mr. Diggins leaves two brothers, James and Will, both of whom live near Ontario. He was unmarried. He was about 35 years of age at the time of his death.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: Daniel Diggins was the son of Patrick Diggins and Josie Ragan. His sister, Mary Ann Diggins, was married to Frank L. Pepper on 29 January 1885 in Boone County, Iowa.