From "The Hancock Democrat" Thursday 20 February 1896.
[Greenfield, Indiana]
THOMAS MYERS MAY BE ALIVE
Police of Anderson, Ind., Believe He Is Living Near New
Orleans.
Anderson, Ind., Feb. 7.-Another decided sensation is on tapis [?] in
the famous Dr. Cox - Thomas Myers alleged insurance swindle, which, has
attracted so much attention during the last year. The clew or rather
information, that is now in the hands of the officers, if authentic,
removes all doubt about Thomas Myers being alive. It is believed he is
living near New Orleans.
Myers, it will be remembered, was insured for $ 10,500 in the Foresters
and other orders. His policies were made out to Dr. Cox, then prominent
physician of Elwood. Three months later Myers was taken ill at his home
in Gem and with Dr. Cox as his sole attendant, died. His body was put in
a coffin and the coffin was hauled overland sixty miles to Clinton,
where it was interred without any ceremony, but in the presence of
friends who had followed the hearse and thought the funeral genuine. Dr.
Cox then made application for the insurance and was about to get it when
the Foresters, when being called upon for their share, told him that it
was one of their rules not to pay a policy without first having an
officer, elected for that purpose, make an examination of the corpse.
Dr. Cox seemed greatly put out, but the Foresters sent their agent to
Clinton and had the coffin taken up. There was a decided sensation when
it was opened and instead of a body enough loose dirt was found to give
the coffin the proper weight.
It was then charged that Dr. Cox had killed Myers and, being afraid
of an examination , had gotten the body and coffin out of the way and
put another coffin in the grave. He was charged with foul play and with
others was arrested, but owing to certain irregularities in service
could not be held. Then he departed, but afterwards returned and later
died.
Transcribed by Joni Curtis March 2001