Gothenburg and this section of the state were shocked and saddened Tuesday by news of the death early that morning of Theron L. Wiggins, promient rancher and stockman.

Intending to leave on a business trip to Julesburg with Gene Wilson that morning, Mr. Wiggins instead went to an upstairs room of his ranch home, where he was found a short time later. Bullet wounds in chest and head had caused his death.

One of the largest livestock operators in this section of Nebraska, Mr. Wiggins was a man of wide acquintance and many friendships. His integrity was unquestioned, and his reputation unblemished.

Recently developed ill health had placed a burden of worry upon him, and for several weeks he had had a premonition of impending tragedy. Hundreds of people are shocked and grief stricken at the untimely passing of this man, their friend.

At the time of going to press, arrangements for funeral services had not been made.

The Gothenburg Times 27(1):1 Wednesday, July 11, 1934

Hundreds of friends of Theron L. Wiggins, whose death occurred Tuesday, July 10th, gathered in Gothenburg to pay their last respects on Thursday.

The business houses of the city were closed during the funeral services which were held Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. Wm. Kilburn, and were very largely attended. Burial services at Peckham cemetery were in charge of the local Masonic lodge. The following served as pallbearers: G. G. Hampton, Albert Hecox, W. O. Clark, Frank L. Hannum, Irvin Marcott, E. J. Loutzenheiser.

The obituary of Mr. Wiggins will be found on another page of this issue.

The Gothenburg Times 27(2):1 Wednesday, July 18, 1934

Theron Leslie Wiggins was born in Colo, Story County, Iowa, on June 18, 1883, and died July 10, 1934, at his home south of Gothenburg, Nebraska. Mr. Wiggins came to Gothenburg in 1902 with his parents and resided in this community continuously since that time. Shortly after locating here he filed on a homestead south of his father’s ranch. This homestead formed the nucleus of the Wiggins Ranch, which was expanded and enlarged from time to time by the purchase and acquirement of surrounding lands until the ranch is now one of the largest, best improved and finest equipped in this section of the state.

He was united in marriage on February 24, 1910, with Grace Maud Homer, of Gothenburg, Nebraska. To this union seven children were born, as follows: Harlan Russell, Raymond Orleigh, Ivan Joe, Elma Dorothy, Shirley, Francis Chloe, and Ruth, all of whom survive him, with the exception of Shirley, who passed away in infancy. He is also survived by his wife, Grace Maud Wiggins; his mother, Mrs. Emma Jane Wiggins of Gothenburg; a brother, Howard O. Wiggins of Denver, Colorado; a sister, Mrs. Ellen Sprague of Grand Island, Nebraska; three nieces, Irene Wiggins of Julesburg, Colorado, and Elnora and Evelyn Sprague of Grand Island, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Fremont Wiggins, who died on February 8, 1928; by two brothers, Raymond and Floyd Elmer, who died on May 1, 1885 and April 6, 1917, respectively; and by a sister, Sadie Wiggins, who passed away on July 21, 1892.

He had been failing in health since early Spring, suffering an attack of influenza at that time, and some time ago submitted to a minor surgical operation. Since that time he had been suffering from a general state of weakness and nervousness, which gradually sapped his energies, although few realized, fully, the seriousness of his condition.

His sudden passing was a severe shock to all who knew him and the high regard and esteem in which he was held by a countless number of friends and acquaintances have been shown in the many expressions of deep and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and relatives.

The Gothenburg Times 27(2):11 Wednesday, July 18, 1934