Iowa Old Press
Sioux Valley News
Correctionville, Woodbury co., Iowa
Thursday, January 4, 1894
RESULT OF A SPREE - Particulars of the Death of George R.
Woodworth in Chicago.
ALGONA, Ia., Dec. 28.—Colonel R. H. Spencer, of
this city, who was the last person with George R. Woodworth, who
was found dead in his room in the Briggs House in Chicago, says
that the only way he can account for the death of Woodworth would
be heart trouble. Spencer and Woodworth have been warm personal
friends for years and both of them have a good reputation here.
Spencer, as assignee for Simpkins & Son of Bancroft, went to
Chicago to settle with that firm’s creditors and to get the
stock of goods in shape to turn over to his friend, Woodworth.
In the afternoon after the business transactions were completed,
Spencer, Woodworth and another party or two got to drinking and
along about 4:30 p.m. they went to the Briggs House and secured a
room and took Woodworth up, and Spencer got him to bed by
promising to lie down with him. In a short time, Woodworth fell
asleep and then Spencer got up and hurriedly dressing went to the
Union depot and caught the 5:30 train for Algona. When he left
the room his friend, Woodworth, was laying on the bed asleep. He
locked the room door and left the key with the clerk.
In his hurry in dressing, he donned Woodworth’s overcoat and
had it on when he was arrested here the next morning. Spencer
does not remember of having registered Woodworth under any
assumed name, but his recollection of what he did do at that time
is very faint, as both he and Woodworth were pretty well under
the influence of liquor at the time. Spencer is of the opinion
that there was no foul play and that Woodworth was not drugged
and he ought to know as he was undoubtedly the last person who
saw him alive.
G. R. Woodworth was, until three years ago, a prosperous business
man of this place and had been for thirty years. He accumulated a
large fortune, and retired, moving to Chicago about a year ago to
become a citizen of that place during the World’s Fair. He
had a wife and two sons. The remains were brought to Algona and
the funeral services were conducted by the Masonic Lodge here of
which he had been a member in good standing for a great many
years.
Colonel R. H. Spencer is almost crazed with grief over the sad
affair as he and Woodworth were very fast friends.
Ozias-Loban
MARCUS, Ia., Dec. 28—Prof. L. H. Ozias, principal
of the Marcus schools, was married last evening to Miss Alma
Loban, youngest daughter of W. M. Loban. The young couple took
the evening train for Nebraska, where the professor will combine
business with pleasure for a week.
[transcribed by L.Z., March 2019]