Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-05
IOWA. DECEMBER

Van u ,talker Of the request. Van De-
walker then tried to get the watch
from the pawn broker for the amount
secured on 1t. He was told that the
watch was being held for SAT. This
fact, he said, drove him to suicide.
since he had no hopes Of raising the
money.
He accompanied some young men
friends to the house where he at
tempted to take his life. Tho other
young men are students at a COM
mercial college in this city and are
rooming at the place where the suicide
was attempted.
Drank carbolie Acid.
Entering the room Van De Walker
stated his intention TO write letter
to his folks. Later he said he would
write to some young fellows instead.
Then he Immediately changed his
plan, putting diligently on q cigar,
and started for the bath room with
a package. the wrapped bottle of acid,
in his hand. Suspicion aroused. one
of the young men followed him part
way and asked him what he intended
to do. He told his inqusitor that he
had bottle of medicine that he in
tended to put on boil on the back OF
his neck.
Almost imme diately afterwards Van
Dewalker returned to the room and
laid down on the bed to die. Noticing
something extraordinary about his con-
duct, the young men in the room noti-
ned their landlady and she at once
stated that the young man had taken
carbciic acid. Restoratives were quick
~ given. The lips of the respondent
man We're burned white by the strong
acid. He at first feigned unconscious
ness. but later talked freely.
Prepared a Letter.
He wrote the following note before
drinking the contents Of the bottle:
Il. Roy W. Van Dewalker, Of Con-
rad. Iowa, was married to Bernice
Ferguson Of Waterloo, Iowa Her home
is 10S independence avenue. Whoever
finds this, telegram to ]. C. Van De-
walker. Conrad, Iowa ! Cid this be-
(Jorda1 and Gilberts. lawyers OF
Marsh Place building) Call up Bez-
nice and tell her at once.
'vANDE."
The firms name and place Of loca-
tior was undeIscored twice in the
note. 1t was learned that he had not
been married TO Miss 8ernice Ferguson
hut a marriage license had been issued
20 him and was in his possession al the
time he attempted 10 take his life.
The young iadyi= father, R. c. Fer
guson. stated last nigh, that Van De-
walker had made no arrangements
with his daughter for marriage and
thar she knew of no intended plans
for wedding last night. He also stat
ed that she had nothing 10 do with the
watch deal. and is strong In his de-
nunciation Of the young man who has
thus dragged her into his misdeeds. He
said that Van Dewalker had been
rooming at l412 East Tenth street. was
no longer a resident Of Waterloo. hav
ing recently removed to Conrad. Mr..
Ferguson stated that the pawn broker
wanted s35 for the watch which Van
Dewalker attempted to reclaim.
Taken to Hospital.
After Van Dewalker was sufficient
" revived from the effects Of the acid
and when 1t was certain that death was
not imminent he was taken in the
O'keefe & Towne ambulance to the
hospital The police de-
partment at once notified his parents at
Conrad 1t vas 9 o'clock. or there
abouts, when the police were notified
and doctor dispatched to the room
where the young fellow lay. rapidly
succuu1bing to the acid. and it was IL
o'clock when the H4otk Of the physicians
was finished and the youth placed in
the hospital
That he was no; Intimately acquaint-
Cd Will! Miss Ferguson is shown in mis-
spelling of her name. He uses an 81
instead Of u