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ESTABLISHED: 1843. ARCHIE BASFORO’S TRAGIC DEATH Further Particulars Concerning This Sad Affair. Death Was Apparently Self-Inflicted but Cause Unknown —Funeral Held Here Last Thursday. “He is not dead, He has not perished from this bright earth, The friend that we have cherished. There is a vacant seat. When e’er we meet the voice is still That once was music; never will On earth its accents thrill Our hearts with gladness; Oh, let it not be said That he is dead.” Archie Roy Basford was born in Glen Haven, Grant county, Wis., April 18, 1884. The family came to Lancaster in the autumn of the same year. Archie grew to man hood here, receiving his education in the citv schools and clerkingin his father’s store until the business was sold in January 1905. He then took a course in photography with artist Watton after which he work ed for a time in a studio at Madison, also in the Ruegge studio in Mil waukee, and was for a short time in business for himself in that line in Michigan. But he did not want to make photography his life work, and having opportunity to sell, did so, and while considering a future course was offered a lucrative posi tion as musician in an entertain ment company, and accepted, think ing it only a brief expedient until a more permanent work should be decided upon. He was with a clean company, his parents taking pains to ascertain this fact. In agreeable relations and the enjoyment of trav el he continued, growing into more responsible positions, until last July he assumed the ownership and man agement of a theatrical company himself, in which position he met with reasonable success. On Monday, the 13th of Decem ber, his mother received a letter from him in which he said that he was not feeling well, “had taken headacne tablets enough to dope six men ” On Wednesday a telegram was received from him saying he had closed up all business with his company and was starting home to spend the holidays. No alarm was felt about the telegram; he had fre quently wired his parents as to his welfare and his route. Archie had ever been a loyal and thoughtful son. So far as any friend ever knew he had never contracted the habit of drinking or gambling that keeps a continuous fear and anxiety in a mother’s heart. He did not use to bacco in any form. The folks at home attributed his ill feeling to loss of sleep and constant travel and possibly malaria contracted in the southern country where he had been touring, and while feeling the nat ural mother’s uneasiness, yet in the home and to all the neighboring friends, Mrs. Basford was bubbling over with the anticipated enjoy ment of having her boys all home for Christmas, as they had not been one year ago. Alas! her boy was even then in greater need of moth er’s presence than ever he had been before. Between the hours of two and four on Saturday afternoon, Archie had registered at the hotel Morrison in Chicago, writing his own and not a fictitious name as stated in some of the city papers. He called for the house phyisician.who found him in his room at four o’clock lying dressed upon the bed. The action of the heart was very bad and the doctor advised immediate rest. But Archie said “no, I am going right on home.” As iar as can bo ascer tained, the unfortunate young man was never seen again alive. No in quiries were made, nor investiga tion until about midnight, Sunday, when a chamber maid reported the long-closed room locked from the inside. An entrance was effected. The young man lay in his bed, clothed in union suit of underwear and night shirt, a bullet wound in his heart, a revolver, new and of fine make, close tc his right hand, the box from which it had been re moved lying on the floor near the bed. The verdict of the inquest was, cause of death bullet wound in breast, accidentally or otherwise. There was no sign of a struggle. Neither was there any indication of premeditated self-destruction. The position of the body was easy and its condition gave evidence that death had come to Archie Saturday night or in the very early hours of Sunday morning. One dose, prob ably no more, had evidently been taken from the bottle of medicine which the doctor had prescribed. Shoes, hat and other clothing had been laid separately and carefully by, as had been Archie’s lifelong custom when disrobing for the night. A valuable ring and his watch were untouched. Quite an amount of money was found in his pockets, and a little book, such as most travellers carry, bearing his name and place of residence, also an unpunched ticket dated Decern- GRANT COUNTY HERALD ber 17, from Kansas City to Chica go. His suit case, evidently unmo lested, was in his room. His key ring with the keys to his trunks was found but no checks, no bill of lad ing, not even a check for his person al trunk could be found. And neith er in his suit case nor in his pockets were found letters, cards, pictures or the account book which hie friends knew he always carried. Not a word in any letter to his par ents or to his fiancee, Miss Emily Cronin, (and he wrote almost daily) intimated any depression that could lead to so rash an act. All rumors contrary are atrociously false; neith er did he use a fictitious name in any form. The above facts were given me by the young man’s father who went immediately to Chicago upon receipt of the telegram from undertaker Rolston. Mr. Basford wired his son Fred, in Milwaukee, also Harry and L. P., who are at tending a dental college m Chicago. All met the stricken father upon his arrival in the city, and no gen tleman, no personal friend could have extended more courtesy or as sistance than did Mr. Rolston in whose parlors lay the body of the dead son and brother. Distressing as are these facts, the sorrow-stricken family prefer to have them known. And though present evidences point to a self in flicted death, neither they nor any who knew Archie Basford can be persuaded that the bright, cheery, ever hopeful, sunny-hearted boy could accountably guide the hand that sent his soul into the pr eace of his Maker before His own wise decree summoned it. In the vagaries of cMirium of fast coming disease he did it —not at all. Archie was never known to carry a con cealed weapon. There was no sign on either the revolver which sped the fatal bullet, or its cover, by which its purchase could be traced. Entrance to and egress from the room could easily have been made by way of fire escape. There was no necessity whatever for Archie disposing of his musical instruments or any of his property. Every ef fort is being made to trace the trunks and to learn from the mem bers of his disbanded company Ar chie’s state of health when they parted, in Oklahoma just a few days before the fatal ending of his life in Chicago. But alas! nothing can re store the boy to the home he loved so well, nor lift the pail of sorrow from the hearts that so loved him. “Our crosses are hewn from different trees, But we all must have our Calvaries; We may climb the height from a different side But we each go up to be crucified; As we scale the steep, another may share The dreadful load that our shoulders bear; But the costliest sorrow is all our own— For on the summit we bleed alone." In August last Mr. and Mrs. Bas ford, taking with them Miss Cronin and Harry, went in their auto to meet Archie and his troupe at Strawberry Point, lowa. They were with them several days. It was a happy time for all. They left them at McGregor, seeing Archie go away, “looking so hand some, brave and grand ” The fond parents, so proud of their son, the yonng girl’s heart beating high in hope of the roseate future that seemed dawning for them. They never saw Archie again. Only the dear, mutilated dust came home in the beautiful casket bearing his name. And those beautiful days are as sacred pictures now, hung in memory’s hall. “For her love is sleeping the quiet sleep That the shepheld gives to His wearied sheep. And the world is not what it used to be, Ere the sunlight faded for him and me.” The brothers did not see the body until it was removed to the under taking parlors. Only stranger lips can testify and so undoubtedly, the deplorable event will be one the innumerable, unfathomable myst eries of the Great City, whose in exorable maelstrom sucks in daily so many fair young lives. We ask a tho usand questions. Why did not the doctor advise him to go to a hospital or call a nurse? Why did not Archie telephone his brothers of his arrival in the city? How could a dead body lie undiscovered in a lighted, heated room, in a reput able hotel, right m the heart of the city for twenty-four hours or more? We go round and round the terrible event, and only the dread silence answers. Archie was so true, so loyal, so thoughtful of his mother’s welfare and of all who loved him, with a cheery smile and a wave of the hand for all he met —oh, he would not afflict deliberately for any cause, the dear hearts waiting for him at home. In the pulsing, throbbing throng of thousands, was there no hand to soothe the fevered brow, nor stay the fatal messenger? Alone was he? Ah no, no! Not a sparrow fulls to the ground without the Father’s loving notice. Are ye not then of more value than many sparrows? God is too good to be un k’ud -too just to be unmerciful. ‘And if sometimes, comingled with life’s wine We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink. Be sure a wiser head than yours or mine Pour out the portion for dur lips to drink; And if some one you love is lying low. Where human kisses cannot reach his face, O. do not blame the loving Father so, But wear your sorrow with obedient grace, And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath* Is not the sweetest thing God gives His friend. And that, sometimes, the sable pall of death (Continued on Sth page.) PUBLISHED AT LANCASTER, WISCONSIN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1909. MASONIC BANQUET AND JOINT INSTALLATION New Officers of R. A. M. and F. & A. M. Ceremoniously Installed Monday Evening Col. J. G. Clark , Presented With Past-Master’s Jewel. Lancaster's Masonic orders had a fine time Monday evening upon oc casion of the joint installation of the newly elected othcers of Grant Chapter No. 27 Royal Arch Masons and Lancaster Lodge No. 20, of Master Masons. James T. Pryor, of Dodgeville, grand chaplain of the Masonic grand lodge of Wisconsin, who is a favorite with Lancaster masons, was present — - y will • >• . / ’ ’ ' % > ■ ■ I ■■ W IB ’X > ' f X.~ X , 1 COL. JOHN G. CLARK. and conducted the installation work for the chapter upon the following officers: Excellent High Priest—R. A. Watkins. King—Geo. 8. Rockwell. Scribe—R. B. Showalter. Treasurer—Richard Meyer Jr. Secretary—F. W. Halferty. Capt. of Host—Dr. C. A. Critchlow. Principal Sojourner—W. A. John son. Royal Arch Capt.—L. D. Eastman. Master of 3d Veil—E. E. McCoy. Master of 2d Veil—Geo. P. Goble. Master of Ist Veil—E. B. Goodsell. Sentinel—Harry Gingrich. Col. John G. Clark officiated a? in stalling officer for the new officers of the Master Masons' lodge, who were: Worshipful Master—H. E. Carthew. Senior Warden—Henry Gingrich. Junior Warden— R. A. Irwin. Treas.—Richard Meyer Jr. Secretary—A. J. Wiedenbeck. Senior Deacon—Geo. S. Rockwell. Junior Deacon—C. A. Critchlovv. Sr. Steward—L. D. Eastman. Jr. Steward—C. F. Dickinson. Tyler--James Petty. Following the latter installation W. A. Johnson, on behalf of the lodge Christmas at the County Asylum. There is no place where Christmas is looked forward to with keener en joyment than at the Grant County Asylum. It is the custom to remember each one with an appropriate gift and a sack of candy and nuts together with fruit and a bountiful feast; it makes the day a memorable one. To know the full appreciation one must be present to see and hear the words of greeting and good cheer for the genial superintendent and matron Mr. and Mrs. Burris. Among those who in the full enjoyment of this sacred season do not forget these un fortunate people are Miss Gardner’s school of Platteville, which each year sends souvenir postals to every one in the Home and one whose gifts and visits are looked upon with deep pleasure is a friend and benefactor who is lovingly known as B. D. S, Her Christmas greeting to the institu tion is here with attached. GREETING. It Is the day when true hearts meet. And doors are open wide, I send you loving thoughts and sweet For Merry Christmas-tide. O may the shade of Angel’s wings Above your house-hold rest; presented a beautiful Past Master’s jewel to Col. John G. Clark, as a testimonial of the high esteem in which he is held in Masonic circles. Col. Clark, who is now in his 86th year, has been identified nearly half a century and has been identified with many of the important events of its history. He was initiated into the mysteries freemasonry in 1863. In 1864 he was pssed to the degree of a fellowcraft and was made a Master Mason the same year. He was junior warden of the lodge in 1866, senior warden in 1867-68, and was elected worshipful Master in 1869, being re-elected in 1870-’7l-’72-’73-’74-’75-’76 and ’77 and again 1879, 1888, 1895-’96. In 1877 he was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Wis consin and was made a permanent member of the Grand Lodge with the rank of J. G. W. He is an exceed ingly well informed member of the fraternity and very highly regarded He acknowledged the presentation of the jewel with a brief speech of thanks. The gift came to him as a complete surprise and is all the more prized for that reason. After installation and the presenta tion of the jewel a fine supper was served in the lodge room and the banquet hall adjoining, by the ladies of the Order of the Eastern Star. Covers being laid for 165 persons, con sisting of Master Masons and members of their families. It was a very enjoyable affair and one which will be long remembered by those who ware fortunate enough to be in attendance. Kind hands may give you precious things— But God’s great Gift is best. And on the day when true hearts meet, And doors are open wide. The Prince of Peace, with gentle feet, Will enter and abide. If there be any absent face. His love the void shall fill, God rest vou in your dwelling place. With gladness and good-will. B. D. S. Rose-lawn, Christmas. 1909. Farm Home Destroyed by Fire. The home of Archie Brown in the town of Waterloo was totally destroy ed by fire Tuesday night, December 21. The discovery of the conflagra tion was made by Miss Icie Jordan who teaches in that district and hoards at the Brown home. About midnight she awoke and found her room full of smoke and flames. In stantly she apprised the family of the fact and all managed to escape. The residence was burned to the ground but many household articles were saved. The cause is unknown. PURE BRED Poland China stock hogs for sale; heavy boned, long bodied variety. Farm one and one half miles east of Lancaster. Farmer’s phone Joseph G. Bailie. 36w-6p. E. E. EASTMAN’S HOUSE-WARMING. Entertained His Gentlemen Friends at a Fine Dinner Thursday Evening. A thoroughly enjoyable house warming party was given last Thurs day evening by Elmer E. Eastman, at the beautiful new residence he has just had completed on West Maple street, to about twenty five of his gentlemen friends. The hour set for the dinner was 10 o’clock, preceding which the guests found much satisfaction in an inspec tion of the house, which is strictly modern in its arrangement and finishings and furnished in most ex cellent taste. The dinner was served in courses and the menu was one to appeal to the taste of an epicure. It was in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Newton, who are past masters of the art, Following the dinner there was a program of speech making and music which extended into the wee sma’ hours, and if time was anyone present who did not a good time he has not yet been heard from. 1 Pennies in Mail Boxes. The Fourth Assistant Postmaster General has issued the following an nouncement relative to the practice of placing pennies in mail boxes on rural routes and requesting its discontinu ance. From a recent court made by rural carriers in one of the counties in the State of New York of coins deposited by patrons in their boxes for the purchase of stamp supplies, it was found that each carrier in the county was collecting an average of 115 one cent coins each week. This average* applied to all the routes in operation throughout the country would give the enormous total of about 300,000,000 one-cent-coins. As most of these coins are deposited loose in boxes, it is desirable that you and the rural carriers, in a tact ful and polite way, put forth your best efforts to induce patrons to provide themselves with stamp sup plies in advance of their needs, and to equip their boxes with suitable coin-holding receptacles. It should be explained to patrons that the picking of loose coins from boxes not only results in needless hardship and suffering to carriers in winter weather, delays the delivery and collection of the mails, but frequently results in actual money loss to the carriers, for ‘ if, in collecting coins from boxas, they drop them into the snow or on the ground without recovery, they are required to replace the amount out of their own funis. Gilder-Schneider Wedding. Those who received an invitation to the wedding of Miss Emma Matilda Schneider to Charles Gilder in South Lancaster, report a very enjoyable time. The room where the ceremony making the twane one was performed was nicely decorated. At the appoint ed time Genevieve Belken presided at the organ and the beautiful strains of the wedding march pealed forth and the Rev. Morgans led the march followed by the best man and brides maid, then the bride and groom who took their place beneath the wedding bells. After the ceremony the con gratulations were showered upon the newly wedded couple. Dinner was announced and oh such a dinner. The table literally groaned with the good things to eat. It being the noon hour the guests did ample justice to the viands provided for the occasion. We understand the bride made the wedding cake herself. If so she certainly has no rival in Lancaster and doubt we in the world. Certain ly Mr. Gilder has secured a prize in cake and bread making The time passed very pleasantly visiting and singing old time songs; Mr. Morgans singing some solos and Miss Belken accompanying him on the organ. All too soon the hour came to bid good bye and start for home. Guest. Dissolution of Partnership. By mutual consent the fjrm of Drs. Doolittle will be dissolved on January I, 1910, Dr. 8. W. Doolittle retiring. The practice will be continued by Dr. J. C. Doolittle. It is desired that all accounts due the firm be adjusted at once. S. W. Doolittle, J. C. Doolittle. Different Arrangements. Will Ray and Bertha Peer, both of Watterstown. Joe J. Schmelz, Cassville and Eva A. Emler, Waterloo. Francis S. Remy, Mt. Ida and Blanche A. Atkinson, Glen Haven. Joseph Droessler, Paris and Rose Flogel, Potosi DR. COOK, EXPLORER, IS PROVEN A FAKER University at Copenhagen Re pudiates His Claims. Explorer Has Mysteriously Disappeared and is Suppposed to be Hiding Somewhere in Europe. Copenhagen, December 21.—Honored by the king of Denmark, heralded by the University of Copenhagen, gar landed with wreaths of roses by young girls, accorded the freedom of the city of New York, and acclaimed by thousands for the length and breadth of Europe and the United States as the bravest man who ever dared the silent terrors of the Arctic, Dr. Frederick A. Cook stands tonight discredited in the house of his friends. Not a word from him in defense or explanation. Nothing but disavowals from his partisans in the controversy that has raged about him ever since he first flashed word from Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, to his wife: ‘ ‘Successful, well; address Copen hagen\ ’ ’ Even that address to-night is lack ing, Only his brother in New York still stands stubbornly by him, refus ing to believe the verdict of the Uni versity of Copenhagen has been cor rectly reported. Interest to-night turns to three questions: Where is the doctor? ! What will he do with himself? explorer’s title shattered The report of the special committee of scientists which tin Univeristy of Copenhagen appointed to scrutinize Dr. Cook’s claims tnat he had dis covered the North Pole was 'submitted to the consistory of the university this morning, indorsed by that body and given to the public The report shatters completely, almost contemptuously, the American explorer’s title to such discovery and fills the officials and people of Den mark with chagrin at the figure Den mark is made to assume in the eyes of the scientific world. The public was prepared for a verdict of ‘‘not proven,” but did not expect its recent hero to be branded as an impostor. Many still cling to the belief that Cook acted* in good faith, but harbored a delusion. RASMUSSEN SAYS D/.TA WORTHLESS. The evening papers attack Cook and seriously reproach him for hiding, which they regard as a sign of guilty conscience The rector of the uni versity. Dr. Salomonson, when ques toned as to toe possibility of the university canceling the degree which it conferred upon Dr. Cook, said that no decision had been reached but he thought that the degree could be withdrawn in the same way as a government could deprive a person of an order obtained under false pre tenses In an interview to-night Knud Rasmussen said: "The university would not call me at first because I was one of Dr. Cook’s strongest sup porters. Later, however, I was in vited to the investigation, and when I saw the observations I realized it was a scandal. ‘ ‘My confidence in Cook had been based on personal impressions, on re ports that I had received and also on the testimony of the Eskimos, when they all said that be had made the trip from Cape Sparbo to Etab, and such a trip during the dark of winter would suffice to make a man famous; but rhe papers Cook sent to Copenhagen University are most im pudent. No schoolboy could make such calculations. It is a most childish attempt at cheating. Cook has killed himself by his own foolish acts. ’ ’ NO PROOF OF FEAT. The report, which was signed by all six members of the committee and Knud Rasmussen, the explorer, fol lows : ‘‘l. The report of the expedition sent to the university by Dr. Cook is the same as that printed in the New York Herall during the months of September and October last. “2. The copy of Cook’s notebooks does not contain any original astrono mical observations whatsoever, but only results. ”3. The documents presented are inexcusably lacking in information which would prove that astronomical observations therein referred to were really made; and also contain no details regarding the practical work of the expedition and the sledge jounrey which would enable the com mitteeto determine their reliability. ‘‘The committee therefore is of the opinion that the material transmitted (Continued on 4th page.) VOL. 66. NO. 44