The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-12-03
Believed That Young Many May Have
Taken Laudanum in Midst OF Fit
of MelanchOlia.

of MelanchOlia.
Greenyille, Nov. 29.-W. D. Watson,
a Furlnan university student, member
of a prominent Horny county family, IS
strangely missing from the college
campus and it is feared that he has
met death at his own hand. His dis
appearance was discovered early this
morning when his roommate awoke
and found him gone. His collar and
tie and watch were in the room and
a bottle of laudanum which he was
known to have had in his possession
could not be found among his effects.
Searching parties have thronged the
surrounding country throughout the
day and night for a possible trace OF
the missing student but up until mid
night he had not been found nor the
slightest clue as to his movements af-
ter leaving his room uncovered. 1t is
believed that he is a victim OF some
form of melancholia as he appeared
greatly depressed of late and had been
under the care of physician. The
young man registered from Nixonville,
which is about 18 miles from Conway.
As nearly as can be ascertained
Watson left his room in the Judson
college about S o'clock this morning.
His roommate was asleep at the time
he left the room, but aWoke soon af-
ter and not finding the young man re-
ported the matter to other students in
the dormitory. An investigation re-
yealed the fact that Watson had left
without his collar and tie and watch.
It was also noticed that bottle OF
laudanum which the young man was
known to have had in his possession
for some time and which he is thought
to have used externally was missing
from the room.
Several searching parties were soon
organized and throughout the day a
careful examination of the various
buildings on the campus, deep ra-
vine behind the dormitory building
and various hooks down on the rivers
edge was made. Finding no traces
of the young man in these places the
parties branched out and secured the
surrounding country. Information was
had that some one answering the de-
scriDtion of Watson was seen to pass
near the home of H. B. Tindal On Cres-
cent. avenue, a mile from the univer-
sity, about 7.30 o'clock this morning.
The parties made thorough search Of
the country in that section and far
down the Augusta road. No trace Of
the young man has been found up to
late hour tonight.
w. D. Watson, who was 81 years OF
age, came to Furman university about
October l. He stated that he was a
graduate Of the Citadel, finishing there
ten years ago. From the time he
graduated up to the time he came to
Furman he taught school at various
places in Horny county. The young
man stated that he desired to enter
the fitting school and go all the way
through college, as he had found him.
self so deficient ia some branches he
wished to begin all over again"
Since he had graduated at the Cita-
del, Watson was matriculated in the
university department. He took up his
studies at once, having some of his
classes in the fitting school department
and some in the university. He pro-
gressed in his studies and seemed to
be getting along in satisfactory man
ner.
About ten days ago Watson became
ill and was confined to his room until
about Thursday. He made frequent
visits to a physician and seemed to be
suffering from some nervous trouble
He asked that the physician request
the authorities to excuse him from
his studies until he was better. This
was done. When seen on the campus
Thursday by one of the fitting school
professors he seemed to be in very
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