Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-13
DIVERS LIFE STORY
PATHETIC RECITAL IN COURT AT
WATERLOO MOVES MANY TO
EARS.
KNEW NO MOTHER LOVE
DURING ENTIRE LIFETIME
Mother a Drunkard, Dryer Conquered
All Temptations Except Appetite for
Strong Drnk-court as Friend Sends
Him to Knoxville Hospital, Hope
full.

Waterloo, Nov. ia man stood in
the district court room and faced Judge
Platt. He was unkempt, a stubby
beard covered his face, discourage
and in his eyes there was no light Of
hope.
The man was John Dwyer; he was
charged with inebriacy and the court
was about to sentence him to Knox
Vile.
AS he stool there, John Dwyer pour
ed In the listening ear of the judge
the story of his life. 1t was a plain
straightforward narrative. There were
no attempt at adornment, no flights
of oratory. but every word burned with
eloquence and every sentence was ting
ed with pathos that is born of tears.
1t was the confession of a soul to whom
temptation had proved too strong, the
story of human heart bowed down
with sorrow and remorse.
My earliest recollection" said John
Dwyer, lis of being torn from my
mothers arms by the stern officers of
the law and of seeing her thrust into
the Tombs at New York, a drunkard."
From that day John Dwyer was a
waif, an outcast, wandering from place
to place like a dog that is disowned
If his young heart yearned for a smile,
CT d kindly word. or a friendly hand
clasp, he was thankful enough to be
permitted to go his way unfollowed by
a curse and ungreeted by a blow. If
he stumbled and fell; if he saw but
dark shadows about him; if he felt
but the thorns by the wayside, his was
not the comforting thought that some
where there was one who loved him,
that somewhere someone prayed for
him
Absolutely alone in the world, John
Dwyer carved out his destiny. Tho the
iron got into his soul, maybe, hatred
never ranked in his heart. His was an
honest life, as honesty goes. No serious
crime was ever charged to him. So
ciety was never in much danger be-
cause John Dwyer lived. If the en-
vironments into which he thus was
thrust held out temptations to him. he
conquered all, save one-the bowl.
thirst, who of us who point with pride
to our family trees may Judge?
81 never had a home" he said. until
1 married the best woman God ever
gave the breath of life. She's done all
she could for me, judge. She's been
kind and true and patient and has
endeavored to make my home happy
one"
Don't you love your wife?" inquired
the court.
"Love her?" John Dryer rested a
hand upon chair. His whole body
shook with the intensity of his emo
lions. "Love her? God! how love her!
And the children-the children" His
voice quavered, but he quickly drew
himself together. 1.-THE little children
who have seen me drunk. the wife who
has watched for me until the midnight
hour, who has plead with me to drink
no more. 1 promised her I wouldn't.
With my children in my lap and my
wife's arms about my neck, I prom
ised them 1 wouldn't, and then did
1 did"
Into his eyes crept the shadow of
hopelessness; his shoulders dropped
in absolute detection. "And they are
the only friends have on earth"
81 Am Your Friend"
.fNo!" The courts voice rang with
announcement. His kindly face shone
with still greater kindness. 'sNo. i
am YOUR friend. Mr.. Bentley, here, is
your friend Every man in this court
room is your friend. care not how
man be dressed or what may be his
occupation, 1 shall be his friend SC
long as he is worthy OF my friend
ship.
81 am going to send you to Knox
VILE, Mr.. Dwyer, not to inflict punish
ment but because I feel it is the
greatest kindness can do you The
treatment you will there receive VIII
enable you to overcome your greatest
enemy. / have sent other men tc
Knoxville and they have returned
home and Lived sober and useful lives
4 believe that you will do the same
1 shall hope to hear good reports from
you and when you return to your wife
and children, want you to come and
see me. want you to come to me
whenever you need a friend. shall
always feel an interest in you, Mr
Dwyer, always"
John Dwyer followed the deputy
sheriff from the court room. He was
unkempt, a stubby beard covered his
face. but smile lowered about his
Hips and in his eyes there glistened
the light Of hope, new born.
T. 4 81