The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-04-25
SERIOUS SCHOOlBOY SCRAP.
A BLIND INSTITUTE PUPIL DIES
FROM THE EFFECTS OF
A BLOW.
ONE OF THOSE AFFAIRS THAT
WILL HAPPEN.
In Spite of Care and Watchfulness-Th,
Blow a Slight One-No Thought of
Murder, But Death Came.


A very unfortunate and sad death oc-
Cured yesterday morning at the Institute
for the Blind, the result of school-boy
scrap.
Sunday morning about 1880 Leonard
Rogers, aged II, son of Mr. j. ID. Rogers
of Gordon, Palo Pinto county, and ELIJAH
Darden, aged 20, son of Mr. L. j. Darden
of Andrews, Wood county, met III the
lavatory in the boys building at the In
stitute. They had foolish schoolboy
fuss over something, the lie is said to Lave
passed and young Rogers, who can see Il
little picked up Il small wooden piano
stool left in the lavatory by the institute
barber, and struck Darden over the riGht
eye with it. The two then passed some
blows with their fists, scuflled some and OF
their own accord ceased the fight. A pupil
named Henry Scott who can see witness
ed the trouble from Il hallway.
After the fight young Rogers called on
the superintendent and told of the trohDle,
expecting to be punished, but he was lec
ferred to Prof. Harper who has charge OF
the boys building. Young Darden also
walked across the street to the mann
building and called ON Superintendent
Becton, requested him to examine one OF
his eyes which had been operated on a
few days ago, saying he thought 1t had
been injured during his fight with Rogers.
DIR. Rector examined it, found nothing
wrong, and Darden left. He complained
of having a pain in his head bur rothing
serious was thought OF 1t.
GROWS WORSE.
At about . o'clock in the afternoon, how
ever, Darden complained OF being SICK
Becton promptly visited him. He gave
him some medicine, but ne was too SICK
to retain it on his stomach;
Between 4 and 5 o'clock he grew murh
worse and became senseless and speech
les sand DR.. Becton who is a physician
of long experience saw that his condition
was very serious and he became satisfied
| that the blow on the head had ruptured
blood vessel He at once sent Tor Lf. Mat
Smith and DR.. Swearingen and sent 10r
DIR. Wooten, but he could not be found:
| Judge FILLMORE, president of the board OF
| trustees was also sent for. -,
Drs. Swearingen ana Smllh lsree4
with DR.. Becton about the rupture OF
the blood vessel, hut 1t was
in n place beyond the reach Of
surgical skill and the boys parents were
notified of his condition. Monday morn
ing he revived and Monday night was
getting along well, asking that a glass
of milk and bread be sent him. he
drank the milk and ate portion Oh the
bread. He then went to sleep, but about
midnight he grew restless, became un
conscious and died yesterday morning at
e o'clock, his father reaching his bedside
a few minutes before he breathed his
last.
POST MORTEM.
DR.. Graves, city physician, was sent
for and under his direction post mortem
was held and it was found an artery
in the head had been ruptured and about
three ounces of clotted blood had formed
on the brain. Justice johnson was no
tilted and viewed the remains and will
give an inquest verdict today.
The school was closed yesterday ana
appropriate funeral services were held
in the chapel, the coffin of the dead
being beautifully bedecked with flowers.
THE body was sent home on the l O'Clock
international for burial.
| The following resolutions were adopted:
IN MEMORIAM.
Whereas, In the dispensation of an
all-wise Providence, our beloved friend
and pupil, Elijah d. Darden, has been
removed from our midst; and
Whereas, We bow with submission to
this untimely removal of one who has
endeared himself by his gentleness of
manner, his obedient and exemplary
Christian life, to superintendent and fell
low schoOlmates;
Whereas, We will ever cherish the men,
DRY of our deceased friend, and endeavor
to emulate his noble example of Chris
tan life. Be it therefore
Resolved, That in this untimely, death,
the institution for the blind has lost an
exemplary student, Christian gentle
man and whose example ever eXerted an
influence for good.
That we extend to his bereaved parents
and relations our heartfelt sympathy in
this hour of their sad affiiction, and
point them to an all-wise Providence
for consolation.
That the chapel be draped in mourning
for 80 days.
That copy of these resolutions be
furnished the Evening News, Austin
tStatesman, Institution News and Tale:
idaga Ala) Messenger for publication and
THAT a copy of these resolutions be sent
to the parents of the deceased.
w. A. Harper, teacher,
Miss Jennie Latham, teacher
Earnest Powell, pupil,
Henry Leberman, pupil,
Harry Caldwell, pupil.
| Committee on Resolutions.
Young Darden was totally blind. He
was n member of the Young Mems
Christian association of the Institute anG
he was very popular with both teachers
and pupils.
Young Rogers is also spoken very highly
of. He can see a little. He says ht
had no idea of killing young Darden ant
he sincerely and truly deplores his death
There certainly was no malice in thu
act. 1t was merely a schoolboy row
such as occur in all schools, and tina
blow over in few minutes. Young Oar
den was not in the best of health, hi
blindness having been caused by menin
gifts. TO this fact the surgeons attrib
ute his death, the blow of itself not beinj
sufficient to kill person. No blam
can or does attach to the management
of the Institution. Young Rogers wa
taken into custody to await the decision
of Justice Johnson. He, of course, will
be held until the meeting of the granc
jury next Monday. His father, who wa
photographed for, is expected here thi
morning.
= Purity and wholesomeness are tn
: physicians endorsement of Angostur
r Bitters, manufactured by Dr. J. G. B. 81,
e CERT & Sons. At all druggists.
-O-
THE DURANT TRIAL.