Arthur A. Franz
Arthur A. Franz
Born Dec. 8, 1874
Died May 14, 1902
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Marriage
Married
Franz-Gollihar- In Corpus Christi, Texas, at the residence of Mrs. Julia Langley, Sunday evening, Sept 16, 1900, at 8 o’clock, Judge Hopkins officiating, Mr. Arthur Franz to Miss Martha Gollihar, both of Corpus Christi.
The wedding was a quiet one, the couple taking their friends by surprise.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, September 21, 1900, p. 5, col. 1
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
2. News Report about death
TWO MEN KILLED.
Arthur A. Franz Shoots Guillermo Cisneros and Then Commits Suicide
CALLER EXTRA, Thursday, May 15, 11 a.m. Last night about ten o'clock three shots were heard on the side walk near the Fivel restaurant and soon two men were lying dead, stretched out on the sidewalk, one where the shooting occurred and the other on the sidewalk across the street nearly opposite. It appears that Arthur Coches, was talking to some parties when Guillermo came along, and Arthur, catching hold of him, asked him where he was going. The Mexican said, Me No-----when Arthur told him to hike out, or something of the kind, at the same time pulling his pistol quickly and shooting Guillermo in the right breast, firing a second time as Guillermo ran across the street, but missing him, the man falling down dead upon reaching the sidewalk between Guinns and Gugenheim & Cohns store. After firing the first two shots, Franz placed the pistol to his head and fired, nearly blowing off the top of his head, falling dead instantly on the spot. Franz, who was a native of Brownsville, aged about 27 years, was brought to this city some thirteen years ago from the Rio Grande by Mr. Joe Dunn, who raised the boy. The last few years Franz has been connected with the Fivel restaurant off and on, severing his connection with it about two months ago and opening a stand of his own nearly opposite across the street. It appears that he did not make a success and he has been acting strange lately, causing the officers to be suspicious of him, fearing that he might do something desperate which he finally did. Several letters were found last night in his pocket, one to Undertaker, Eugene Beynon, telling him to take charge of his body. One note was addressed to John J. Uehlinger, the saloon man; one to Wm. J. Biggio, one to the wife of Mr. Franz and one to E. J. Fivel, the one to him being worded as follows: Kind friend, I will have to bid you good bye, the same as everybody else. Many thanks for your kindness in the past. A statement of his indebtedness, amounting to some $286, was also found. Deceased, (whose father is said to be still living in Hidalgo county), lost a brother in the interior of the state last year, the brother getting killed in a difficulty with a Mexican, it was reported. Why Arthur should have killed Cisneros is not known. Cisneros was a good man and a fisherman here and had been working for Manuel Andrews. He had just come in with his boat (comes to port about once a month with fish) and was simply passing by, going from the fish house to visit the sick family of a friend when he was killed. He leaves a wife and three children. The whole affair is indeed a sad one. Arthurs funeral will take place this afternoon at 4:30 o'clock, from the family residence on Chaparral street. Guillermos funeral will take place at 4 o'clock from his late residence.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, 5/16/1902 p. 8
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission