Telegram from Lucien C. Wheeler to John E. Wilkie
Secret Service Agent Wheeler notifies Secret Service Chief Wilkie of the murder of Secret Service Agent Joseph A. Walker at the mouth of the Hesperus mine, owned by Porter Fuel Company, near Durango, Colorado. Walker went to the mine with three other government agents, Callahan, John E. Chapson, and Thomas Harper to inspect the mine in support of a government case against the Porter Fuel Company. Walker stayed near the mouth of the mine while the other men went inside, and when they re-emerged, they found Walker dead of gunshots to the head and neck. Later, two men, William R. Mason and Joseph Vanderwiede, gave themselves up to the sheriff but claimed Walker was shot in self defense. Wheeler will keep Wilkie advised of developments in the investigation.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-11-03