The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-04
FUlnAN STUDENT LOST,
W. -. WATSON OF HORNY
STRANGELY MISSING.
hehe''d Ihat Young Man May Have
Taken Laudanum I'm Midst OF FIT
or NclanchOlia.

Greenville, Nov. 29.-W. d. Wat
son, Furman university student.
member of n prominent Horny coun-
ty family is strangely missing from
! the college campus and it is feared
that he has met death at his own
hand. His disappearance was dis
covered 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 surround
ing country throughout the day and
night for possible trace OF the mis-
sing student but up until midnight he
had not been found nor the slightest
his room uncovered 1t is believed
that he is 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 IS miles from Con-
way.
AS nearly as can be ascertained
Watson left his room in the Judson
| college about 6 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
revealed the fact that Watson had
left without his collar and tie and
watch. 1t 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 exter-
nally 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, a 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 Gonna ono oucwar;,o ~ =.
description Of Watson was seen to
pass near the home of II. b. Tindal
on Crescent avenue. a mile from the
university. about 7.3O o'clock this
morning. The parties made a thor
ough search Of the country in that
section and far down the Augusta
road. No trace OF the young man has
been found up to a late hour tonight.
w. ID. Watson. who was 81 years
OF age. came to Furman university
about October 1. He stated that he
was a graduate OF the Citadel, finish
ing there ten years ago. From the
time he graduated up to the time ne
came to Furman he taught school at
various places in Horny county. The
young man stated that ne desired to
enter the fitting school and go all the
way through college. as he had found
himself so deficient in some branches
he wished to begin all over again."
Since he had graduated in 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 depart
ment and some in the university. He
progressed in his studies and seemed
to be getting along in a satisfactory
manner.
About ten days ago Watson became
Ill and was confined to his room until
about Thursday. He made frequent
visits to physician and seemed to
ne suffering from some nervous trou-
bic. He ask that the physician re-
quest 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 fit
ting school professors he seemed to be
IN very RESPONDENT mood His com
pahlons state he acted somewhat
querly Of late, seemed to be in a very
downcast mood and worried about
something, and sometimes talked
queerly, though no one suspected
that he was In any way mentally de-
| ranged watson was not a man of
bad habits. ON the contrary. he
| led an exemplary life. 1t is under
stood that he was considering enter
ing the minstery.