Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

DIDDLE – Died, at the Commercial hotel in this city some time Sunday night, Aug 11, 1907, John Diddle, age about 30 years. He was unmarried and had been a resident of Blackwell about two years, coming here from Newton, Kans., where some of his relatives reside. He was a tinner and was employed for a time in one of the shops here. He afterwards worked for the bus company, and for the past eighteen months has been in the employ of Field & Hood. His death was very sudden and unexpected and was a great shock to those who knew him. As near as could be ascertained he went to his room in the hotel at about 11 o’clock Sunday night. It was his business to open the saloon at 5 o’clock each morning of alternate weeks, but this happened to be his week off, Mr. Field performing that duty. About 6:30 he went to the hotel to see why Diddle had not appeared and was informed that he could not be aroused. After another effort, the door being locked on the inside, Marshal Butler was called and the door was forced open. It was then discovered that he was dead. He was partly dressed and lay across the bed as if he had fallen in a faint and passed away without recovering consciousness. An examination led to the conclusion that death was due to a hemorrhage. It was decided that no inquest was necessary. The deceased was a charter member of the Eagles and the officers of that order were notified. A committee consisting of F. H. Hoppe, R. S. Hall, J. S. Burger and A. F. Gallap was appointed to take charge of the body and have it properly prepared for burial. It was embalmed and incased in a casket to await the coming of relatives. Mrs. Mary Morgan, a sister living at Newton, Kans., was informed by telegram of the death of her brother and replied that her husband would arrive in Blackwell as soon as possible. The deceased was in apparent good health, steady and industrious, but had complained of not feeling well the past week. He did his usual work, however, and there was no serious thought of his condition. He was of a genial disposition, and although somewhat reticent, made friends of all his acquaintances.