Newspaper Page Text
VOL. XXIV.
WITH A BULLET
IN HIS HEART
Body of H. A. Chapman Found in Knights of Pythias
Hall, Where He Had Ended His Life.
The sudden and tragic death of
Henry A. Chapman, which occurred
last Thursday, startled and shocked
Cartersvilie from centre to circum
ference.
It was at the twilight hour that
the body was found, stretched at full
length in the Knghts of Pythias' hall
oyer Calhsun Bros.’ store, cold and
stiff in death.
The sad and startling news traveled
over the city like a flash of lightning
and men, women and children heard
the distressing details with bated
breath and sad hearts.
Mr. Chapman came to the city
Thursday morning, as usual, walking
in from his suburban home in the
southwestern part of town, and ap
peared to be in vigorous health. He
went to the post office for his mail;
greeted his friends on the streets
with his usual cordiality, visited the
News office between nine and ten
o’clock, wliere he kindly assisted in
adj usting the press which was slightly
out of order ;passed over to Anderson’s
livery stable and sat down a few
moments; went on down to Calhoun
Brothers’ corner and up the stairs to
Dr. Clark Griffin's dental office, and
into the fraternal hall on the same
floor, to the door of which he carried
a private key.
He remained in the secret order
hall only a few minutes. As he pass
ed out he stopped again in Dr.
Griffins office and chatted pleasantly
with Mr. Best and Dr. Griffin for
perhaps ten minutes, and then went
down on the street.
Tnis was about eleven o’clock. It
is not certain when he returned to the
Knights of Pythias hall, but it is sup
posed that it was between twelve
and one o'clock. About one o’clock
Mr. Miles Dobbins went up to Dr.
Griffin’s office and heard the door of
Knights of Pythias hall close and the
footsteps of some one walking away
from the door on the inside.
This was about 1:30 o’clock Thurs
•day afternoon.
Nothing further was seen or heard
of Mr. Chapman until seven o’clock
that evening when Mr. Charlie Keys,
the janitor of the hall, went up to
prepare for an Odd Fellow's meeting.
Imagine his shock and surprise when
he found the dead body of his friend
stretched at full length on a rug in
front of the vice chancellor’s stand
in the north end of the hall, still and
cold in death!
Mr. Keys at once the alarm.
Dr. Alfred Calhoun was passing at
the moment and went immediately
to the body. He found it cold and
stiff and concluded that life had been
extinct for several hours.
Others came in hurriedly, the
lights were turned on and a most
distressing sight met the gaze of the
friends who looked upon the quiet,
lifeless form.
There were evidences of deliberate
preparation for the tragic deed. Mr.
Chapman had removed his coat and
vst and hung them on a chair. His
collar and cravat lay on the vice
chancellor’s stand. His top shirt
was unbuttoned and thrown open.
His undershirt was pushed up under
his neck, leaving the chest and body
exposed. A glass of water had been
placed on the stand near his head.
A letter had been written, sealed and
addressed to his friend, Chas. M.
Milam, giving directions about his
body and burial; another to his
wife, sealed and addressed, marked
personal and private. Then the pis
tol had been placed deliberately over
his heart, finding a place between
two ribs, and the fatal shot fired that
ended a life in its prime.
The coroner was notified at once
and an inquest held that night, find
ing that the deceased came to his
death by his own hand. Later in
the night the body was carried to his
home, where it remained until Satur
cay afternoon, when the remains
were laid to rest in Oak Hill ceme
tery.
The funeral service was conducted
by the Odd Fellows and Knights of
Pythias, according to the written re
quest of the deceased, who was an
active member of both these orders
and also regent of the local lodge of
the Royal Arcanum.
Thus ends the sad story of a life
that had always been active and that
seemed to give promise of much use
fulness and happiness in the future.
The causes that led to his suicide are
The Cartersville News
unknown. His disposition was buoy
ant and cheerful. His home life
was happy. His friends were almost
numberless.
Mr. Chapman had not been suc
cessful in business, although he had
made no business failure. After sell
ing out his interest in the News and
Cour&nt, about a year ago, he went
into the furniture business with Mr.
Conn, but after a few months he sold
his interest to Mr. Conn, and since
that time has been out of employ
ment. It is known that he had
sought several positions and ex
pressed regret and disappointment
that he could not secure profitable
employment. Doubtless he had
brooded over his condition, and be
ing of a proud and sensitive nature
had felt keen disappointment over
the results of his life work and de
cided to make an end of it. This is
the only solution that seems reason
able and probable.
The sympathy of the entire city
and community goes out to Mrs.
Chapman and her children. The
home has been filled w'ith sympathiz
ing friends since the sad occurrence.
Rev. J. S. Hillhouse came at once
from his home in Vicksburg and re
mained for several days with the
family. It is probable that Mrs.
Chapman and her children will move
to Vicksburg and reside with Mr.
Hillhouse.
Mr. Chapman held a policy of #3,000
in the Royal Arcanum, which will
doubtless be paid to his widow.
The following is a brief sketch of
the life of the deceased:
He v. as 48 years old, was reared in
Talbotton, but has figured in the
printing and newspaper business in
different parts of the state, having
had interests, working or proprietary,
at Gainesville, Athens, Washington,
Rome, Calhoun, Amerieus and Car
tersville. He was a number of years
proprietor of the Calhoun Times.
He came to this city in the fall of
1800, and bought an interest in The
Courant-American, and was later
connected with The News andCourant
as one of the editors. A year ago he
sold out, and later entered the fur
niture business, in which he disposed
of his interest several months ago.
He leaves a wife and two children.
He was a brother of J. W. Chap
man, Washington, Ga., C. B. Chap
man, Sandersville, Ga., L. L. Chap
man, Pratville, Ala., all nepspaper
men; Mrs. W. P. Burt, Atlanta, and
Miss Mary Chapman, of this city.
He was regent of the local council
of the Royal Arcanum, was a Knight
of Pythias, and an Odd Fellow.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Annual Closing Exercises to Occur
Next Week.
The closing exercises of the Car
tersville public schools will occur on
Wednesday of next week, beginning
at 10 o’clock a. m. The following
interesting program has been ar
ranged:
Opening prayer, Rev. W. A. Cleve
land.
Salutatory, Miss Lillian G. Akin.
Class prophesy, Miss Josie Wallace.
Class poem, Miss Mary Lou Milner.
Class president’s address, Miss
Kitty W. Conyers.
Valedictory, Frank E. Mathews.
Literary address, Hon. H. A. Eth
eridge.
Presentation of diplomas and med
als.
The graduating class consists of
eleven —two boys and nine girls, as
follows:
Lillian Gatewood Akin (2d honor).
Marion Grady Aubrey (4th honor).
Laura Belle Chapman.
Kitty Walker Conyers.
Martha Leake.
Frank Erastus Matthews(lsthonor).
Mary Lou Milner.
May Smith.
Sallie Fanny Stephens.
James Paul Walker (3d honor).
Josie Wallace.
The public school exercises never
fail to draw an immense crowd. The
literary address of Hon. Harry A.
Etheridge, of Atlanta, will be an in
teresting feature of the program. The
public is cordially invited.
From San Antonio.
Mr. Frank Smith, of San Antonio,
Texas, is in Cartersville visiting his
mother, Mrs. Charles H. Smith.
CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1905.
BIG MAI KINGSTON
Brilliant Closing Exercises
of High School.
Graduating Exercises and Awarding of
Diplomas—Fine Speech from
Hon. Seaborn Wright.
The past week has been a most
brilliant one for Kingston. It was
commencement week of the' high
school. When one thinks of what a
few years have wrought in the way
of advantages for educating the chil
dren there, there is a right to exult.
Five years ago every child had to
wend its way to a little 2x4 nonde
script shack they called a school
house, situated on the far-most out
skirts of the town, almost surrounded
by negro shanties. On account of
these disadvantages the best teachers
did not apply. The windows were
almost paneless, thewalls only partly
ceiled, and the root sadly in need of
repair, until a few.kind-hearted ladies
and gentlemen got together, gave a
series of entertainments, thereby
raising funds enough to remedy the
above mentioned evils, including the
digging o-f a well. Some trouble hav
ing arisen between the owners of this
school house and a few of the citizens
of the town, the question of anew
school house was sprung. A meeting
was quickly called, a few earnest
words spoken, a quiet putting togeth
er of less than twelve good men’s
heads and pocketbooks and a mag
nificent school building was evolved,
valued at #2,500; a monument to the
men >vho built it, an honor to King
ston, and an ornament to north
Georgia. And now they are going to
build a dormitory—a beautiful build
ing of sixteen rooms, where boys and
girls outside of Kingston who desire
to obtain the fine advantages offered
by the high school can get comfort
able lodging and board. Before the
fall term opens this will be done.
On Sunday, 14th inst., at 11 o’clock
the commencement sermon was
delivered in the aunitorium by Rev.
W. M. Dyer, and was listened to by a
large congregation. It was unusually
appropriate to the occasion, and was
replete with wisdom and instruction
and was enjoyed by every one.
Thursday night following, the grad
uating exercises took place. There
were four young ladies who received
their diplomas.
Miss Susie Rollins—lst honor girl—
Valedictorian.
Miss Mattie Mae Tumlin —2nd honor
girl—Salutatory.
Miss Hallie Gaines —Class History
and Prophecy.
Miss Addie Rollins —Elocutionist.
The readings and recitations were
interspersed with most beautiful
music, songs, duets and instrumental
solos, as taught during the year by
a most efficient music teacher, Miss
Isabel Kennedy, of the Cincinnati
Conservatory of Music.
Kingston people were delighted to
have with them Hon. W. J. Neel, of
Cartersville, who was requested by
Prof, and Mrs. Whittenburg to deliver
the diplomas, which was done in that
happy style in which only Will Neel
can excel.
After the graduating exercises were
over came the orator of the occasion,
Hon. Seaborn Wright, of Rome.
Though the train lett him by two
minutes in Rome and he had to make
the tiresome trip of eighteen miles
through the country, he was in his
happiest vein. He delivered the
address he made before the state
school commissioners at Macon sev
eral weeks ago, “Education vs. Tax
Reform.” He said it was a dry sub
ject but it was relevant to the occa
sion—it was needed to be heard. All
found it to be delightful as well as
instructive to listen to, and regretted
when he had finished.
Friday night the Willowise Literary
Society gave its annual entertain
ment. Every feature of it was de
lightful. The comedy, “Left in
Charge,” was written by Miss Bell
Bayless, a former resident of Kings
ton. Every one acquitted them
selves splendidly. $45.00 was realized.
This society has a financial record.
Since its organization four years ago
the school building has been two
thirds seated with patent desk; one
hundred chairs have been bought for
for the auditorium; lamps for same;
piano bought and paid for, and vari
ous other things have been pur
chased.
The moving spirit in it all has been
the splendid teachers, Prof, and Mrs.
Whittenburg. All honor to them and
may we never let them go.
Showalter Sings.
There will be an all day singing at
Emerson next Sunday conducted by
Prof. A. J. Showalter, of Dalton.
Everybody cordially invited. Dinner
on the grounds. A good time for
everybody who attends.
FIDDLfRS CONVENTION
Old Time Wielders of Bow
to Gather in This City.
Daughters of Confederacy Provide a
Unique and Enjoyable Enter
tainment for the People.
The old-time fiddlers are coming to
Cartersville. Friday, June 2, will be
a memorable day in our city. Two
performances are to be given, one at
the court house, beginning at 2
o’clock in the afternoon, and another
at the opera house, beginning at 8
o’clock.
The Daughters of the Confederacy,
ever on the alert to furnish high
class entertainment to the public and
at the same time add something to
the confederate monument fund,
have secured the great aggregation
of old-time fiddlers for one day in
Cartersville.
The North Georgia Fiddler’s Con
vention was organized in Rome in
1903. The moving spirit in the or
ganization was Mr. C. N. Fuller, of
Rome, the progressive superintend
ent of the street car system of that
city. The organization was so
unique and original in conception
that it caught on at once.
Last year the fiddler's convention
drew over a thousand people to
Rome. Old-time fiddlers and their
friends came from every section of
north Georgia and the air around
Mobley Park was charged with
quaint and catchy music.
Last week the convention held its
thii\d session in Rome, and so intense
was the interest and so successful
the performance that over two thous
and people from a dozen counties in
Alabama and Georgia flocked to the
performance.
Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Bradley, of
Cartersville, attended the closing
performance last Friday and were so
delighted that they at once closed a
contract with Mr. Fuller for a Car
tersville date.
He generously agreed to come and
bring"at least a dozen of the choicest
fiddlers, if their expenses would be
guarantied.
Friday, June 2, is the day and two
performances will be given. The
one at the court tiouse in the after
noon will be especially for the coun
try people, who are expected from all
parts of the county, and the one at
night will be more particularly for
the people in town—though every
body should attend both perform
ances, as there will be an entire
change of program.
Competent judges will be selected
from among local musicians and
prizes will be awarded to the best
players. Albert Strickland, of Car
tersville, has agreed to act as stage
manager, which means a feast of wit;
and a flow of humor mixed with the
finest music on earth.
When you read the fo.lowing list
of tunes to be played you will not
fail to come.
“Dixie Land,” “Katie Hill,” “Nan
cy Rolin,” “Billie Go back,” “Polly
Put the Kettle On,” “Kelly Rankin,”
“Railroad Bill,” “Arkansas Travel
er,” “Liberty,” “Hen Cackle,” “Dev
il’s Dream,” “Bonaparte’s Retreat,”
“Shelby,” “Alabama Gals,” “Yankee
Doodle,” “Forked Ear,” “Little
Alex,” “Going Down Town,” “Buck
ing Mule,” “Sugar Lump,” “High
land Fling,” “Ladies’ Fancy,” “Sol
dier Boy,” “Rickett’s Hornpipe,”
“Old Miss Brooks,” “Old Mollie
Hare,” “Kiss Me Sweet,” “Lonesome
Road to Georgia,” “Going to Cuba”
and “Billie in the Low Ground.”
It will be a day to remember in
Cartersville, a holiday occasion and
music will fill the air. It will beat a
brass band to death. The old-timers
will take the town and the “Arkansas
Traveler,” “Billy in the Low Ground”
and the “Alabama Gals” will have
front seats.
An Old Coin.
Mr. John R. Hun ton of Cartersville
has in his possession a silver dollar
made in 1799, which is an interesting
relic compared to the dollar of today.
The goddess of liberty has her hair
arranged in a style that is now quite
out of date, and the American eagle
was much more vigorous and robust
those days than now.
Home Mission Society.
The Home Mission Society will
meet at the residence of Mrs. C. A.
Allday, Monday afternoon at 3:30
o’clock, May 28, 1905. All members
earnestly requested to be present.
Mrs. D. B. Fkkkma.v, President.
Mrs. C. A. Allday, Cor. Sec.
CLOSE OF MEETING
AT TABERNACLE
Sunday Witnessed a Great Throng Present From the
Town and Country and Neighboring Points.
EUHARLEE INSTITUTE.
Full Programme of Closing Exercises
Next Week.
The following is the full programme
of the closing exercises of Euharlee
Institute, at Euharlee, Ca., next
week:
PROGRAMMK.
Sunday, May 28,1905. Auditorium
of the Institute.
Hymn—Onward, Christie u Soldiers.
Prayer.
Hymn—Loving Kindness.
Offertory.
Solo —Dream of Paradise.
Sermon by Rev. W. C. Mathews.
Hymn—Zion.
Benediction.
8 p. m. Monday, May 29, 1905.
Duet Waltz Streabbog Misses
Taylor and Leeke.
Brownie Drill—Little boys.
Motion Song Primary Depart
ment.
Recitation—The Swan Song—Miss
Lottie Barnes.
Trio — Husarenmarsch —Gu rle 11.
Misses Taylor, Leeke, McGowan.
Good Night Drill—Little girls.
Recitation Mice at Play—Miss
Aline Johnson.
Duet—Entreaty—Bohm. Miss Mc-
Cormick, Mr. Corbin.
Pantomime—Come Play With Me.
Broom Drill—Young Ladies.
> Recitation—The Roman Sentinel —
Dan Hull.
Duet —Courting by Proxy—Sloane.
Miss McCormick, Mr. Corbin.
Recitation—A Little Quaker Sinner.
Miss Mary Bourne.
Trio—Sailor Boy’s Lullaby—Misses
Baldwin, Williams, Mr. Hull.
Pantomime—Paradise and the Peril.
Duet —Valse —Mattie. Misses Bald
win, Milam.
Tuesday, May 30, 1905. Reception
to patrons.
Tuesday, 8 p, m.
Comedy—Between the Acts.
• CAST OTf CKaIIACTKHS.
“Dick” Comfort, married, yet single.
George Merrigale, an unfriendly
friend.
Alexander Meander, Dick’s uncle.
Mrs. Clementina Meander, Dick’s
aunt.
Sally, Mrs. Meander’s maid.
ACT I.
Duet—Serpentine Dancer—Horrath.
Misses Barna, Milam.
ACT 11.
| Solo—Galop De Consert—Kettern.
Miss Milam.
Wednesday morning, 10 o’clock.
Graduating exercises.
Solo—Miss Lonnie Baldwin. ]
Prayer—Rev. G. T. Bourne.
Salutatory by Miss Ruby Ham
mond.
Valedictory by Hugh Cooper Miller-
Solo —Midsummer Night’s Dream —
Smith. Miss Milam.
Literary Address Hon. Moses
Wright, Rome, Ga.
8 p. m. Wednesday, May 31, 1905.
Chorus Wake, Wake, Wake
Veazie.
Independence Bell—Miss LUier Mc-
Cary.
As the Moon Rose—Miss Allie Nel-
son.
Who Saved St. Michaels?—Miss Lois
Taylor.
Duet —Flower Fairies —Feares.
Misses Hammond, McGowan.
Dreams of the Past—Miss Margie
McGowan.
Aunt Polly’s George Washington—
Miss Estelle Leeke.
Aunt Tabitha —Miss Jennie Martin.
80lo —Summer Girl—Sargent.
Casey at the Bat—Glover Dodd.
A Lecture on Knives—Fred Dodd.
Our Southern Hero—Horace Dodd.
Solo—Message of the Violet —Miss
Badwin.
Shall the Flag be Hauled Down—
David Nichols.
The American Flag—Roger Dodd.
Trio —Galop Streabbog. Misses
Butler, Lowry, Brandon.
Delivery of medals and diplomas.
Beautiful Medals.
The medals for the junior and
senior declaimers of the Cartersville
public schools, are now on exhibi
tion at Baker’s jewelry store. They
are the handsomest ever shown here
and are attracting much attention.
It will be worth your while to call
and see these beautiful medals.
The date for administering the or
dinance of Baptism at the Baptist
church has been changed from next
Sunday afternoon to the first Sunday
afternoon in June, at three o’clock.
The great tabernacle meeting in
Cartersville closed Sunday night M
high tide, after a week of unabated
interest.
The preaching during the entire
week was unusually good. Sam
was at his best, speaking once every
day and often twice. Rev. Thomas
Sexton, the “blacksmith evangelist,”
of Knoxville, added much to the en
joyment of the meeting by his earn
estness, originality and quaint anec
dotes.
Bishop Warren A. Candler and DrJ
H. S. Bradley, of Atlanta, preached
two sermons each during the week,
fully sustaining their great reputa
tion as pulpit orators and stirring
our people mightily by their earn
estness, learning and eloquence. It
was an intellectual and spiritual
treat to listen to such preaching.
Friday afternoon the Salvation
Army took charge of the tabernacle
and fairly “set the straw afire” with
their enthusiasm. Seven staff officers
of the army were present and our
people got a taste of Salvation Army
methods and music that was remark
able and refreshing.
Saturday afternoon Rev. Wallace
Rogers, of Lawrenceville, preached a
very tender and effective sermon.
Special interest attached to this ser
vice for the reason that Mr. Rogers is
a Bartow county boy, being a son of
Mr. Joe Rogers, of Stamp Creek
district. It was a very impressive
sermon and stamps Mr. Rogers as a
preacher of great pow r and fine
promise.
Anotlier interesting feature of the
Saturday service was a brief but
eloquent address by Mr. Gordon
Keown, of the Boy’s Industrial
school at Rome, in behalf of that
splendid institution for boys. Mr.
Keown was accompanied to Carters
ville by Miss Martha Berry, the
founder and patroness of the scnool,
who was the guest of Rev. Sam Jones
while here.
In spite of the n Sunday was a
great day at the tabernacle. In the
early morning the heavens opened
and the rains came with a rush and
it was supposed the crowds would
not come, but contrary to expecta
tions every train brought an over
flowing burden of human freight. A
special from Atlanta carrying eleven
coaches and pulled by two huge en
gines brought nearly one thousand
passengers.
Rome sent five full coaches, and
other towns in proportion.
It was a quiet, orderly gathering
and the day passed without an un
pleasant incident. Mr. Jones preach
ed in the morning and at night. In
the afternoon the blacksmith spoke
to an immense concourse of people.
An analysis of these sermons will
not be attempted, but they were
earnest, effective and spiritual.
The closing service Sunday night
was full of tenderness and good-fel
lowship, ending a week of rare re
ligious entertaimm nt and remarkable
spiritual power.
This account would be incomplete
without brief reference to the sweet
singing of Mrs. Annie Laura Cunyus,
which was without doubt one of the
most effective and delightful features
of the meeting. She sings with great
power and the most pleasing ex
pression. Hers is the “gospel in
song” and hundreds of hearts were
touched and melted by the melody
of her voice. This last meeting
marks probably the best of the long
series of annual tabernacle meetings
in Cartersville.
Speeches of Scott Dodd.
Mr. Scott Dodd, of Cassville, county
organizer for the Southern Cotton
Association, made a strong speech at
Adairsville last Friday night to farm
ers and business men in the interests
of his association. Mr. Dodd will
speak at Taylorsville on Friday night
of next week on the same line. He is
a fluent and forceful talker and it is
believed he is doing a fine work for
the farmers.
Masonic Convention.
The Bartow County Masonic Con
vention will meet with the Kingston
lodge on May 31. A number of dis
tinguished Masons will make ad
dresses, and work will be done in
the second and third degrees. All
Masons in Bartow county are cor
dially invited to attend.
Jok. P. Bowdoix, W. M.
NO. 26.