County of memorial: Audrain County
Location of memorial: Monroe St. & Calhoun St., courthouse lawn, Mexico
Memorial text"
FREDERICK WHITCOMB
FOUNTAIN
"Now those drink, that never drank before, and those that drank, drank the more."
"The drinking fountain is older than the courthouse; money for its construction was bequeathed to the city by Major Frederick Whitcomb, who died in 1920, and it was installed on the courthouse lawn not long after. The following words are inscribed into a smooth section of the otherwise rough granite block: “FREDERICK WHITCOMB FOUNTAIN. ‘Now those drink, that never drank before, and those that drank, drink the more’.”
The water fountain is a contributing object.: NRHP Nomination form for the Audrain County Courthouse
"CIVIL - WAR MYSTERY SOLVED WHEN WEALTHY HERMIT DIES
LOCAL MAN CLAIMS A SHARE
W. W. Whitcomb, of This City, Files a Claim to Part of $40,000 Estate. The Story - That his uncle, who had beenn believed to have died in the Civil war, had lived until recently, a hermit on a farm near Mexico, Mo. And that hermit, when he died recently left an estate of about '$40,000.
It was learned through a newspaper item by V. W. Whitcomb, of the North Side. Mr. Whitcomb claims to be one of the lawful heirs to the estate, and this morning engaged a firm of local lawyers to act for him in an effort to recover a share of the estate.
The hermit, who died in the latter part of January, on his farm near Mexico. Mo., was Frederick Whitcomb, and Mr. Whitcomb of this city, had an uncle of that name, who like the Mexico man, had been a major in the Civil War. Mr. Whitcomb, his uncle, dropped completely out of sight toward the end of the war. Efforts were made to find him by tho many relatives then living, but these were unavailing, facts no trace of the missing man could be found, nor could any of the facts in regard to his fate be uncovered. How-, ever, reports were finally received which made it appear that in all probability Major Whitcomb had died in the discharge of his duty.
So Major Whitcomb was given up as dead, and as the years passed the incident of his disappearance, and of the extreme difficulty of bringing to light any facts concerning his fate, were almost forgotten. Long before relatives had abandoned any hope that he might still be alive.
Then, on January 30, last, Mr. Whitcomb chanced to pick up a copy of the Kansas City Star of that date. In looking Idly over the paper, he chanced on to an item regarding the death of a hermit near Mexico, Mo. And then he noticed that the name was Whitcomb.
Instantly, his interest increased a hundredfold. Then he saw the first name was Frederick, the same as that of his uncle, and that the deceased had been a major In the Civil war. The item, said Whitcomb had come, to Mexico shortly after the war, and had made his home on the farm near there continuously since, living as a hermit. The item also stated that the, hermit had an estate of about $40,000 Including the 420-acre farm on which he lived, live stock, and a considerable amount of cash.
It was stated that prior to his death the hermit had made a will, which following his death had been duly, probated. It was hinted in the article that the will might be irregular, was claimed that; three or four changes of importance, had been made in it, after it had been signed and witnessed. By this will, it was stated, the hermit made the following bequests: $1.-000 for a drinking fountain for Mexico; $1,000 to the Old Ladles Home at Mexico; $2,000 to a hospital at Mexico; $1,000 for the annual corn show, held at Mexico; $5,000 to the widow of a tenant on his farm; $100 each to five of the neighbor children; and the remainder of the estate to a nephew of the deceased. A. P. Sawyer, of Massachusetts.
Frederick Whitcomb originally had four brothers and sisters, and if they were living, of course, they would each bequeath a one-fourth share of the estate but all the brothers and sisters are dead, and it is believed that Mr. Whitcomb of this city and Mr. Sawyer, of Massachusetts, are the only surviving heirs.
Just how much of the estate Mr. Whitcomb could expect to receive is not known, but it would appear that the will could be faradized invalid. there would be probability of the estate being divided equally between him and Mr. Sawyer. after the special be quests, above mentioned, were deducted. This means that Mr. Whitcomb -has a chance to secure from $15,000 to $20,000. Mr. Whitcomb is himself a man wen along in years, perhaps almost- sixty, and seven months, up to about a month ago, he had been employed at a packing plant In Kansas city. About a month ago he was Injured In an accident while about' his work, and upon his recovery quit the packing plant and moved with his family to 'Fort Scott.' An investigation will be started and vigorous action will be taken with a view to securing for Mr, Whitcomb the share of the estate to which he believes he is Justly entitled." ~ Fort Scott Daily Tribune