The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-09-30
MOTHERLESS AND
PBNNILESS WITH
FATHER GONE MAD
Champion Children Are Cared
For by Kind Hearted
Neiehbor.
Will be Sent Back TO Relatives
al Cincinnati.
JOHN CHAMPION n RATIONAL.

Penniless, without food or shelter
and poorly clad, the three children of
John Champion were brought to Pa
ducah this morning from stiles by
Mrs. Robert Sears, wife of a farmer
residing near Stiles. An appeal TO
the county authorities for assistance
will be acted on this afternoon and
arrangements made to send them to
Cincinnati. o., where they have rela-
tives.
The father, who was brought here
almost a raving maniac Tuesday after
noon after burning his fine houseboat
and all his belongings and attempt
ling to cremate himself and his two
small children, is improving in his
cell at the county jail. Although his
speech is not fluent, he seems to talk
nationally. When informed by a re-
porter this morning that his children
were in the city, Champion looked
somewhat surprised but said nothing
His mind is not perfectly clear, but
from his quiet conduct and sensible
talk officials at the Jail are of the
opinion that his mental balance is
returning.
I John Champion, Jr., 23 years old.
the eldest child, said he had not been
in such narrow straits before IL he
could get to Cincinnati he could get
on his feet again and send his brother
and sister to school. He is a buggy
trimmer by trade and intelligent
Tessie. aged II years, his sister, and
Sherman, aged | ) years. his brother.
were with him and aroused the SYM
ipsthy of the county authorities. Their
only possessions were their miserable
clothing given them by the charitable
residents at Stiles. Mrs. Sears said
she provided the little girl with cloth
ing and helped dress Sherman In
order to bring them to Paducah. The
trip was made in a wagon. They had
remained at the Sears farm since the
night their father became frantic.
To a reporter John Champion said
he supposed his father would be Of
no help to them and he wanted to go
to Cincinnati. He explained that he
had lived there five years with his
parents, following the trade of buggy
trimmer. On account of his health.
they decided to come south and float
ed down the Ohio to Paducah in
! fine houseboat, leaving there three
months ago. They turned up the
Tennessee anchoring near Stiles,
where they hunted for mussel shells.
His mother died a short time ago
and her death affected the mind OF
his father. Setting fire to the house
. boat Champion tried to cremate him
self and the little boy and girl, who
were rescued. Powder and cartridges
ON the GOAT exploded. wounding
Champion on the head, hand and foot
? On being brought to Paducah Cham
pion was placed in jail and DR.. o. r.
Kidd dressed the injuries. DR.. L. Il.
Young, county physician, will make
further examination this afternoon
and Champion may be ordered to the
insane asylum Cor treatment.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sears gave shelter
mother, Mrs. Nancy Robinson, lived
in the vicinity Of Cincinnati and he
could find her by seeing his brother
in-law. George Denning, a railroad
machinist. living in Cincinnati He
said he would get job and place the
two children in school until he could
get on his feet once more.
Provisions no doubt will be made
to send the three to Cincinnati this
afternoon. The houseboat burned and
> nothing was saved. Champion may
regain his mind after a treatment.
Today he complained Of his wounds
> hurting him, but has given Jailer
James Eaker no trouble.