The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-09
HIS QUEER FREAK
James Chumos,a Topeka Greek,
Marries Elderly Widow.
Mrs. o. S. Fowler, go Years Old
Is the Bride.
THEY MET In TOPEKA.
She Delivered Lectures on the
Marriage Relations.
Couple Now Supposed to Be In
st. Louis.

A dispatch from Kansas City says that
James G. Chumos, of Topeka, and Mrs.
o. s. Fowler, were secretly married We'd
nesday evening. The marriage took place
at one of the churches on the west side
of the city, and not even the people at
the Baltimore hotel. where up to that
time Mrs Fowler was staying, knew any
thing about the marriage until the day
following.
Mrs. Fowler, the woman in the case,
gave her age as 60 years, and is the
widow of o. S. Fowler the famous phre-
nologist. OF late years Mrs. Fowler has
been travelling over the country, deliver
ing lectures on matrimony and kindred
subjects and one of her strong points
which she brought out forcibly in her
lectures was advice to. elderly women te
never marry young men.
James ChumoS is a Greek, % years old,
and his right name is Demetrius. He took
the name James after coming to Kansas.
He has lived in Topeka for the past ten
years. For the past two months and a
half he has been acting as private secre-
tary to Mrs. Fowler, having met her
when she was in Topeka. during the
month of November, while she was en-
gagged in delivering lectures. Mrs. Fow-
Ter came to Topeka on November Sth. and
stayed here until November 2Sth, when
she left for Kansas City, taking Mr..
tary.
On Thursday afternoon Mrs Fowler
ana ordering a carriage. gave out the in
formation that she was going to st. Louis
Mhen the carriage arrived at the hotel.
Mr.. Chumos was waiting with Mrs. Fow-
Ter, and instructions We're given to the
driver to take them to a church on the
west side of the city, where they were
married and were afterwards driven to
the depot, where it is said that they took
the train Tor st. Louis. Inquiry at the Of
nce where the marriage license was is
sued, developed the fact that one had
been procured by Mrs. Fowler. and that
she had asked that the matter be kept
James Chumos was well known in To-
peka, having come here in 1880. His orig
lnal home was in Sparta, Laconac
greece, Of which country he was a native
1888: and landed in New York where he
assisted his brother, Con. Chumos. who
was already. in business there.
IN 1888, Con. Chumos moved to Kansas
into, business there. but after gstaying- one
year, the two came to Topeka in 1880 and
ness at No S04 Kansas avenue and
James assisted around the store, and went
He entered Clay school at the begin
ming of the fall term and account of
his aptness and ability 10 learn, and the
schooling which he had received in his
native country, he passed through 1--we
grades in many months. After this
progress was slower, but he was studious
college. which he did in 1888.
In the meantime, he was hard at work.
trying to earn a living. to support himself
while going to school. In addition to help
ing his brother in the store he secured a
paper route which he carried and with
other odd jobs, managed to earn enough
to support himself. He carried papers in
the morning, went TO school during the
day, and later, carried papers in the even
ing while his time after supper was de-
voted to study, and at the store. He was
one of the most successful of the State
Journal carriers.
He was very industrious. and quick to
learn. He would easily commit long pieces
to memory. and quickly caught on to the
ways of the Americans and their Ian
suage. AS he progressed he became in
terested in oratory, and often times while
he was going along the streets he could
be heard declaiming some speech to him
self He won prize medal at Washhurn
college last year in the defamation con-
test
After attending Washburn one year, he
was compelled to stop school on account
of sickness, and after resting two years
again entered. but was obliged to stop
again. but in 1898 re-entered Washburn
and finished out the year. He made many
friends at school ana in the city but he
had many peculiar ways.
Con Chumos, brother of James, has a
candy store at S06 Kansas avenue. He Is
greatly excited over his brothers mar
riage. Il did not dream that he would
take such a step" said he He has al
ways been queer, but did not think he
would disgrace himself that way. I am
deeply hurt about the matter. but know
nothing about it, except what 1 saw in
the papers,