"Proceedings of the Fort Smith Amalgamated Society of Free and Independent Bachelors:

"Your committee to whom was referred the matter of the sudden and unexplained taking off of one of our most esteemed members, submits the following report:

"Nathaniel Dyke was married on June 16, 1941, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to a woman. It has been ascertained that a license was procured by some means and that the ceremony was performed by a duly ordained minister of the gospel of the Episcopal church. On its face everything appears to be regular and your committee does not recommend that any legal steps be taken to set the marriage aside, notwithstanding some grave accusations that Mr. Dyke was acting under coercion. Mr. Dyke has not been heard of since the ceremony was performed; his whereabouts cannot be ascertained; his fate is unknown.

"Brother Dyke lived in Fort Smith for many years and was regarded as a safe, conservative man. By his many virtues, he attracted and retained a great many friends; he achieved prominence in the business world, becoming a director in one of your banks. He was prominent in the religious life of the community, having played the organ in one of the city churches. Your committee has heard much testimony regarding Brother Dyke, and is of the opinion that the seeds of the malady which ultimately carried him off were sown during the hours of his musical employment. Whether this is true or not will never be known, there is much evidence tending to prove that such is the case.

"Your committee recommends the adoption of appropriate resolution by this society, to the end that no measures be left untried to preserve its membership and that its usefulness may continue in the future, as in the past, and be the means of preserving many useful citizens to our rapidly growing city.

"Your committee is of the opinion that Brother Dyke could not have been taken by fair methods, and wishes to express disapproval of the extreme measures resorted to by the other sex.

"Upon motion of Brother Carnall, seconded by Brother Pape, the following resolutions were adopted by the society, without a dissenting voice:

"Resolved that in the loss of Brother Dyke, this society has sustained a great blow.

"Resolved, further, that the society erect an appropriate monument to Brother Dyke's memory, at some prominent point in the city, as a warning to all young men against the dangers of organ playing unaccompanied by a sufficient guard.

"Resolved, further, that this society takes this occasion to reiterate its firm adherence to the principles embodied in its constitution and by-laws, and that the sad loss of our brother shall be a cause of further vigilance on the part of each and every member of this body.

"Resolved further, that a copy of this report and resolutions be sent to Mr. Dyke as soon as he comes out of hiding, and that his name be stricken from the membership of this society.

Adjourned.

"We certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the proceedings of the society in the above mentioned matter.

"These resolutions were signed by the majority of the bachelors of Fort Smith."

Source: "Bachelor Society Passes on Case of Brother Dyke," Fort Smith Times Record, Aug. 2, 1914, p. 7.