Chesterton Tribune, August 27, 1885
The Old Old Story
A talented young Man falls from Grace and Descends into the Lowest
Depths of Depravity.
Chas. E. Dunmore, alias Neil D. Parks, Visits Chesterton as a Temperance
Lecturer and Departs under a cloud.
His Life Exposed
Last Saturday night about 10 o'clock, a young, well dressed man came to
the Central House and requested lodging for the night. He was shown to a
room and nothing more was thought of him. The next morning (Sunday) he
did not get up until noon. During the day he gave his name as Prof.
Chas. E. Dunmore, of New York, and late of Wisconsin. He said he was
employed as a speaker, and was on his way to Ohio to take part in the
campaign. On Monday he met a few members of the M E Church and told
them he was a temperance lecturer sent out from Chicago, and wanted to
speak in their church. The good people thinking him all right freely
granted him permission. Dunmore then got some bills printed and gave
the lecture on Monday night. His lecture disgusted those who went to
hear him, and some left before it was out. A collection was taken up
and Dunmore got $1.50 as the result. After the crowd had dispersed he
came to the hotel, but remained only a short time. The landlord saw him
go out of the door, and that was the last seen of him. He owed for his
board, and for pay, left an old satchel filled with letters and old
clothes.
Among these letters were a number from landlords in Wisconsin, dunning
him for board-money. Others stated that the writers would be happy to
send him articles left in pawn, such as coats, watches, rings, etc., if
he would remit the amounts they kindly lent him. These and other letter
plainly show that Dunmore is a dead beat of the first water. But
perhaps the most touching letter among the lot was from the young man's
sister, Florence Parks, dated Gerry, Chautaugua Co., N. Y. Thus was
written on March 8, 1885. It begins:
"Dear Brother, - Neil you will be surprised to hear from me. I do not
want you to think that I uphold you in the terrible things you did just
before you left by writing to you. I do not, I would sooner have heard
you were dead. All of the hopes in regard to you or what you could have
been here if you had been an honest man are gone."
The letter then goes on to give an erring brother good advice, but is
written in a tone that betokens hopelessness. It shows that Dunmore's
real name is Neil D. Parker, and that at one time he was a rising
lawyer, but through dissipation, committed some crime for which he was
obliged to face, and is a fugitive from justice. There are other
letters from Iowa, and other states written by young ladies, and shows
that Parks was engaged to marry several of them.
On a piece of foolscap paper evidently a reply to the sister is Park's
defense. We publish it.
I write you now for the last time, yes for the very last among the many
times I have addressed you. This is the only one where ownership makes
and causes culpability; you of course know the course I have taken, the
wrong I committed the one crime of my commission. You read that the
prominent young lawyer and politician and candidate had fallen from
grace so low, even lower than the fallen "Dregan Idols." Yes, you know
that, but do you know the prime first cause that started one once so
proud that to be coupled with an offense would have been an insult
incapable of forgiveness, brought to the place where he would no matter
with what scruples of conscience, pangs of compunction or unwilling
defiance, suffered himself to be led a creature without option and of
circumstances up to the seaflold to have the noose of public opinion
affix a never dying everlasting stigma, a brand of Cain upon the
forehead of self-consciousness - Manhood, My girl, let me tell you that
that first step was the wrong and my ruin.
As we go to press, word comes to this office, that Parks, alias Dunmore
was in the vicinity of Furnessville soliciting funds for the Grant
Monument, and found several victims. Our exchanges are notified to look
out for him as he is a gambler, confidence man, bum dead-beat,
hypocrite, and in fact, handy at any kind of crooked work. Spot him.
Enforcement of the Medical Law
Dr. C. N. Metcalf, the executive officer of the state board of health,
in a letter address to Dr. Loring, county health officer, says: "It is
the opinion of this board that it is the duty of the county health
officers, in accordance with Sec. 2 of the law establishing a state
board of health, to see that the provisions of the medical law are
strictly enforced. You will therefore examine the record of licenses
kept by the county clerk, and if
Any such have been procured without first complying with the law, or by
fraudulent Representation, of if any are practicing without license you
will cause the enforcement of the law. This is not intended to include
reputable physicians who, for sufficient reasons, have been unable to
comply with the law."
For Sale
My farm of 40 acres, with house, and barn, located one mile south-west
of Chesterton. Also all farm implements, crop of corn, potatoes, and
garden stuff, cow, and two year old heifer, all household furniture, and
everything about my premises. Parties wishing to buy, and meaning
business will get a bargain by calling on me, as I want to sell out, to
go away.
Fred Wills
Chesterton, Ind.
An Enterprising Reliable House
Dr. H. Green, of the Eagle Drug Store, can always be relied upon, not
only to carry in stock the best of everything, but to secure the Agency
for such articles as have well-known merit, and are popular with the
people, thereby sustaining the reputation of being always enterprising,
and ever reliable. Having acquired the Agency for he celebrated Dr.
King's New Discoverer for Consumption, will sell it on a positive
guarantee. He will surely cure any and every affection of the throat,
lungs, and chest, and to show our confidence, we invite you to call and
get a Trial Bottle free.