The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-10-22
WIFE SEEKS HUSBAND
WHO HAS DISAPPEARED
INFORATION WANTED REGARDING
EMMETT G. DAVIS.
Without Funds Wife Anxiously Awaits
News Of Her Observation-Disclosures
ed Charities Investigating.
Columbia State, 18th.

Columbia State, 18th.
The Columbia Associated Charities
IS trying to trace a recreant husband
and to relieve the mental anguish and
the physical needs of a deserted wife
with four little children. 1t is the third
case of desertion which has come be-
fore the association since it took up
work this fall under new conditions
and methods with Miss Bessie Ray as
the secretary and agent, and it is as
pitiful and as tragic case as Will
probably come up in many a long day.
The facts are these:
Was Automobile Man.
Three weeks ago Emmett G. Davis,
an automobile mechanic and trained
machinist, who had been living in Co.
Iumbia a short time, put his wife and
children on the train for Sumter,
where he intended to locate perma-
uently. He bade them an affectionate
farewell, buying lunch for the little
ones and promising to join them IN
their new home the next day. That
was the last that has been seen or
heard of him by the anguished fam
ilv who are now destitute and in
most pitiable condition. The family
came to Columbia from Chester, ex-
pecting to remain here only tempor-
arily before going to Sumter to 1--we
The furniture, and household goods
therefore, which were packed up in
the Chester freight depot were allow
ed to stay there, and there they are
still, the woman having only suitcase
full of clothing for herself and her
children. She has not money enough
to have her possessions forwarded.
When her husband failed to join her
in Sumter she went to Chester, where
they had formerly lived, and reported
the case to the Associated Charities
there. which organization has been
following up every possible clue for a
fortnight Failing to gain even the
faintest rumor of the fate or the
whereabouts of her husband, and be-
coming desperate, Mrs. Davis picked
IN her little flock and came to colum-
bia. A kind-hearted family on Whaley
street. to whom the forlorn woman ap-
piled for lodging for the night took
her in and have been giving her food
and shelter ever since.
The woman is not in a condition to
work; her children are too young TO
help any, and they are destitute ana
desperate, or rather the woman is, Tor
the children, full of the faith and the
hope and the carelessness of YOUTH
are not able to be.
Four Children.
"They are bright, lively little things,
aged 13, 10, 3 and 81 said Miss Ray
in speaking of the case, "and the fact
that they seem to love their father
devotedly gives some weight to the
voman's belief that the man has not
deserted but has met with foul play.
1t seems that after his family left
Columbia Davis was to have driven an
automc bile through the country to
George Epkin (rG:sibly Epting) at
Pomaria. Possibly he met with foul
play on the way. mo attempt has been
made yet to communicate with Mr..
Epkin, as this clue was gained only
yesterday. However, every chief of
police in the State has beea put on the
lookout and every automobile garage
in Columbia has been assisting with
the search, with absolutely no result.
1t has been suggested that Davis
might have got into scme. police trou-
bic, for which he may be serving a
sentence under an assumed name. 1t
is possible, cf course, that he deliber-
ately deserted his wife and children,
carefully preparing his plans and sue
cessfully sending them adrift on the
world
However, the wife asserts over and
over again that he has always been a
good husband, has never had any bad
habits, has provided, we'll for her and
the children and has made them COM
Portable and contented. "The day we
went off he was affectionate and
thoughtful as usual. Settling us COM
fortably on the train and buying lunch
for the children" said the poor wo-
man. "He told US goodbye and that
is the last we have seen Of him"
This is the description of Emmett