Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-07-22
DISTRESSING AFFAIR.


Great distress has been occasioned TO his
family, and uneasiness to a large circle OF
friends, by the disappearance Of Mr.. John e.
Shsfer since yesterday morning, under very
peculiar circumstances. Mr.. Shafer left his
residence, 9l2 NJ street, at q. m. yesterday,
with a market basket to go to market. An
hour later, or about O'Clock, he left the bas-
ket (empty) at his place Of business Ceather
and shoe findings store), on ID street, between
It'll and sth, ana gave the key to a colored man
in an adjoining store, to be delivered to his
(Shafers) clerk. About O'Clock q. m. Mr.
Shsfer was seen on It'll street, between T. and
streets, southwest, going apparently in
the direction OF the river. This was rhe
last seen of him. At ten O'Clock yesterday
morning his family became much alarmed
by his failure to return to his breakfast, and en-
quiry was at once made. The market basket
was found at the store, and also letter in a
large envelope addressed by Mr.. Shafer to his
vile, in which he stated that financial embar-
easements, from which he could see no relief
had made him OF late exceedingly miserable;
that his mind was gone, and that he proposed to
take himself out of the way. After writing at
some length in q very affsctionate strain to his
wire and children, he stated that before an
other rising of the sun his body would be where
il would never be found, and IL was of no use to
look for him. This letter appears TO have been
written on Sunday, and another letter of the
sane purport was found that was dated on the
9th f~stant.
Naturally the discovery of these letters added
greatly To the distress of the family, and a
and others, but no trace of him could be dis
covered beyond the time he was seen on 9TH
street at a. m. There were reports that he had
been seen at later hour in the morning at
other points, but these reports on being traced ,
proved to have no definite foundation. His
friends are quite unwilling to believe that he
really committed suicide, and think that his
letters should not be so construed. They think
that the misplacing of some words in them give
this construction, but that really he only wished
TO convey the idea that he meant to take him
self away out of the city, and that lahoring
under this temporary alteration or depression
Of mind, he has gone away to some distant
point.
MIR. Shafer has been for many years in bust
ness, having succeeded his father in the same
line OF business, and has enjoyed the confidence
anc respect OF the community. He was a man
OF excellent and industrious habits, was most
affectionate to his family, and usually of a
buoyant temper. He was a greatly esteemed
member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders
and had attained prominent positions in both
these orders. For many years he has been the
capable and painstaking treasurer of Excelsior
Lodge, /. o. o. F., of which he is a mem
Der. The financial difficulties that depressed
him could not have been threatening as in
his ~ nsitive mood they appeared TO him to be;
and the case only affords another illustration
how difficulties that are ordinarily shouldered
lightly, will in some unhinged conditions of the
most cheerful and sunny mind, take form of
night mare that cannot be shakeno Off
Any information in regard to the missing
man, We may add, will be most Thankfully
T. ceiyed by the distressed family.