Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Dr. W.M. Riggs Dies Suddenly, Jan. 22, 1924

Dr. W.M. Riggs Dies Suddenly—Brother-in-Law of Mr. D.E. Smoak

Dr. Walter M. Riggs, who died in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, January 22nd, was a brother-in-law of Mr. D.E. Smoak of Wilkesboro, and an uncle of Mrs. R.B. Pharr, Mrs. Ray Hemphill, Mrs. Thos. Hart, Mr. N.O. and Miss Nettie Smoak of Wilkesboro. The following is taken from the Charlotte Observer giving an account of his death:

Washington, D.C., Jan. 23—(By the Associated Press)—The body of Dr. W.M. Riggs, president of Clemson college, who died suddenly late last night at a local hotel, was taken to Clemson, S.C., tonight for interment, accompanied by Mrs. Riggs and W.B. Bizzell, president of A. & M. College of Texas.

Dr. Riggs, who came to Washington to attend the meetings of the executive committee of Land Grant colleges of the United States, succumbed to a heart attack. He was taken ill yesterday and was unable to accompany other members of the committee who called on President Coolidge at the White House. His condition grew worse and his wife was notified, but he died before she could reach his bedside.

He came to Washington to appear before congressional committees in connection with agricultural projects, in which Clemson college was interested through its experiment station work.

Dr. Riggs was 51 years old and was born in Orangeburg, S.C. He had been a member of the Land Colleges for 12 years and was active in promoting its work.

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Columbia, S.C., Jan. 23—The South Carolina legislature reconvened today, but adjourned after brief sessions in the two branches out of respect to the memory of Dr. W.M. Riggs, president of Clemson college, whose death in Washington last night became the sad intelligence of the state of South Carolina today.

From the front page of the North Wilkesboro Hustler, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1924

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