Rose - David N. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The following from the Terre Haute Express will interest the citizens of Crawfordsville, who, by the article will learn for the first time of the burning of the First National Bank in 1895, and of the heroic rescue then made:

“A unique story comes to light in connection with the marriage of David N. Rose, of 323 Ohio Street, and Miss Jennette Badgley, which took place Tuesday evening. The experiences of Rose have been many and varied, and his run of ‘hard luck’ has been a long one.

Rose was born in 1875 and at the age of 7 years was sick for a long period with scarlet fever. The attack was unusually severe, and when he recovered it was found that his speech and hearing was gone. He adapted himself to his condition as a deaf mute, and in a short time was able to converse by the sign language and later, becoming more proficient, he became adept in lip reading.

The affliction which had visited Rose seemed to better his other faculties. He was an agile young man and decided to become a professional athlete. He worked hard at this and became one of the most celebrated trick jumpers in the country. He joined theatrical companies and was for several years with the ‘Black Crook’ company. For six months in 1894 he taught a kindergarten class in a deaf mute college in Mississippi. In 1895, his name was in all the newspapers in the country in connection with a daring exploit, of which he was the hero, at Crawfordsville, Ind.

SAVED A LIFE—Rose was at that time with the ‘Little Nugget’ company as a trick jumper. The First National Bank of Crawfordsville caught on fire the night the company played in that city and Mr. Rose joined the crowd which went to the fire. The fire gained headway rapidly and it was seen that the building was doomed.

Just at this time a young lady was seen on the second floor and appealed to the crowd for help. There was no ladder near and Mr. Rose, although a deaf mute, soon learned that the young lady was in peril of her life. He at once ran to the stairs which were enveloped in smoke and flame, and his skill as a trick jumper stood him in good stead, for he took the flight of stairs in three jumps. Grabbing a blanket, he soaked it with water and wrapping it about the young woman, who had fainted; he jumped down the stairs again. The escape was just in time, for barely had he cleared the stairs when they collapsed.

Several years ago Mr. Rose met Miss Badgley, a Terre Haute girl, who shortly after the meeting moved near Butler, Ind. At that time Rose was a deaf mute, and he taught Miss Badgley the sign language. They fell in love with each other and the wedding Tuesday evening was the result.”