The Alaska citizen., 1916-06-26
A SHATTERED IDOL.

A oFlH U IOOI
 When a man has attained more or less prominence in the public eye. even though he be the most unworthy in the land, and then loses the prestige he has gained, it is really pathetic to contemplate. bus when such a thing does happen, and the downfall is solely due to the man himself it is just another case of putting the devil on horse back and he will ride to h-ll.
 Marshal Erwin is the shattered idol
 There was a time in the history of Fairbanks when parade on our streets was not complete with out Stubs" Erwin. If there was a public gathering Stubs" was in the center True, on many occa- sions his presence was due to the fact that it was at his own solicit tation. and on others when his Of nee (dnu not tue uduJ "dH th titled to representation. If he was not solicited he could always be counted upon to volunteer.
 Therefore the scene in the potlatch parade was pathetic in the extreme.
 When the automobiles assembled at the school house grounds for for nation of the parade Stubs Er- win was there with his one-horse shay and swung In behind the last auto. He was not invited to be there and was not wanted. but there he was with the smile ac- Quired in the "sun-kissed hills of Georgia" He expected a demonstra- tion throughout the entire line of march, but was disappointed. When he arrived at the park he took his position to the south of the diamond, facing the grandstand. He was al lowed to occupy the south side solely and alone.
 Then he moved his thoroughbred charger to the north side and tried to edge in among the real people" that also was a failure, for as soon as he had signified his intentions the drivers of the autos near him bethought themselves of some per sons who would like to visit the park, and forthwith made a hurried trip down the street. Upon return ing they failed to take up their old stand from which they had departed tlefront underwent an entire change
 Then the gallant eX-knight de parted and was seen no more. Ee was "hurted" to the quick because he was not made over,' and just for that he decided that he would not honor them with his presence 1 longer
 There is no doubt but that Mar shal Erwin feels slighted after his cool reception. He is only human, and as thin-skinned as most men of his ilk and being so constituted the slight has hurt
 It Is altogether likely that he has not attributed his fall to the proper source, and 1t falls to the lot of The Citizen to inform him that he is on the down-hill pull and does not stand kneehigh to a grass hopper in the community since he filed the slanderous charges against his wife in support of his divorce proceedings, and then showed the yellow streak that is in him by backing water and calling the suit off just as soon as he found that the filing of the suit had been made public and that his martyr wife would defend her character; and in that defense would be criminal charges against the marshal. Then he quit. Neither could he face the lies contained in his com, plaint nor the criminal charges. He quit like a dog. He was too much coward to proceed, so did the next best thing and dogged the whole business.
 The people of the community de- ] spise a coward and hate quit ter, and for that reason will have nothing more to do with Stubs" Erwin, the shattered idol.