DRAKE, Robert J.
THE DRAKE CASE
Source: Iva Lewis Obituary Scrapbook
A continuance of the coroner’s
inquest, or rather a court of inquiry, was held in one of the rooms of the Furr
block Thursday night, March 12, which was conducted by Prosecutor Ratcliff and
Justice Woody, the latter representing Coroner Rice, who was unable to be
present. Sheriff Reeves and Court Stenographer Patton were also present. Much
damaging evidence was given against the suspect and the abortion instrument, or
the “organ tuner” was also produced. The madam herself was put on the stand,
and her evidence was principally a denial of all the nice (?) things that had
been said about her by the previous witnesses. Court closed about 1 a.m. to
meet again next Saturday, March 21, at noon, at which time the witnesses will
sign their testimony, and it is also rumored that some new evidence, extremely
damaging to Mrs. Drake, will be taken. The stomach, which was expressed to Dr.
Hurty at Indianapolis Monday, March 9, for analysis, failed to reach its
destination, for some reason or other until the following Friday, consequently
the report of the analysis will probably not be received until next week. In
the meantime conditions remain about the same in Harveysburg, the people
sleeping with one eye open and anxiously awaiting the appearance of the
sheriff. We are told that midnight callers are still quite numerous at the home
of the widow. The following interesting letter has been received from W. E.
Gillingham, cousin of the late Robt. J. Drake, and gives a short sketch of the
life of the deceased: At that time, it is stated by friends who were present
during her illness, his attention was constant day and night for four weeks,
when her suffering was relieved by death. During her illness she had a dread of
being laid to rest in the far west away from home, friends and relatives, and
he promised her that he would, at all hazards, see that her request was
granted. He found it no small effort, as the railroad companies stopped him at
different times and threatened to put him and his precious remains from the train,
it being against the law to transport the remains of a person dying of mountain
fever. But by unwavering nerve and full determination he carried his point and
fulfilled that promise, which he considered most sacred, in the face of almost
insurmountable difficulties. Robert J. Drake was a man of many good qualities.
He was born and raised to manhood in Richland Co., was a hard worker and
possessed of first-class business ability. His motto was: “A fair field and no
favors,” and he has often been heard to say that while he could not boast of
many virtues, truth and constancy were to be found all along the path of his
stormy life. He could not do enough for a friend or one who was in affliction.
Anything he had was at their service. The news of his death caused a shock to
this community, and the mystery with which it is surrounded only adds to the
pain. The deceased leaves one brother, one half brother and a host of relatives
and friends, who filled the church to overflowing, anxious to pay their last
respects to one whom they had known from childhood. – jlr