Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-10-18
The Mystery Yet Unso1ved.

The strange and painful mystery connected with
the sudden disappearance Of Miss Ella Louisa
Clapp. on Thursday evening last, remains un-
solved. The sympathies of the public have gone
out in large and generous measure to the dis.
tressed parents and the immediate family, who
are visited with this terrible calamity, more pain
full in its uncertainty than death itself. Peace
full death, in the quiet Of home, surrounded by
loving friends how much to be preferred than this
narrowing suspense!
All day Saturday large crews of men were en-
gagged in looking Tor the missing girl. On Satur-
day afternoon at least one hundred men were en-
gagged in examining the gully leading from North
street, and the adjacent ravines, also Oliver 8
ledge and the ridge Of oaks. Yesterday the hunt
assumed formidable proportions indeed, from 3oO
to 500 men volunteering their services and
securing the woods in every direction, even to
the Manchester line, and above Cushnoc heights,
and examin ing carefully the rivers banks and the
vicinity of the Mill Brook. But the search has
been unrewarded by the discovery OF the girl, any
scraps of clothing belonging to her, OF any intor
nation leading to her VIII. reabouts. So that the
theory must be abandoned that she strayed away
or died from exhaustion. anywhere in this vicinity,
as every rod of ground seems to have been care
fully gone over
The theories are now forced upon us that the
girl must have committed suicide or been abduct.
ed and there seems to be about equal founda
lion for either theory. 1t hardly seems possible
that weak glrl a. she was, could have summoned
courage sufficient to trace her way to the river on
that clear moonlight night, when so many people
were alb, Dad, and throw herself into the swift run
ming stream Some circumstances have occurred
that may have some connection with the mystery.
Certain strange and mysterious cries were heard
on North street, about midnight on thursday.
Mrs. Charles Hayes heard child-like female voice
as of one n distress. A neighbor on the oppo.
site side Of the street had child very sick; Mrs
Hayes supposed that the child had died, and that
the mother was bewai!ing her loss But such an
event had not occurred, and the woman who was
watching by her sick child, had heaid me same
noises that had startled Mrs. Hayes, and thought
they came from some one in the street. Mrs ia
son Moore, who lives further up en- the street,
says she heard the same noises, and they seemed
to become FAINT and die away as the person or
persons making them went further up the street.
About that hour of the night, Mrs. Ed. Getchell
saw close carr iage enter the street slowly and
drive by.
Mr.. Alfred NJ. Reed, who lives nearly opposite
Mr.. Clapps, was coming out OF his house about
twenty minutes past six, Thursday night, and
went up the street, going to his stable. Near the
lamp post at the junction OF Oak and State streets
he saw young lady, about the size and appear
snce Of Miss Clapp, turn slowly and walk IN The
direction of the Unitarian church. She attracted
his attention account of her hestating, hating
manner, having apparently no definite object in
view. Mr.. Reed was followed by his bIother-in-
law, Mr.. Brown, who noticed the same strange
appearance Of the lady Mr.. Browns wife toll
lowed him in n minute or two and she saw the
lady In question halt near the steps of the Unita-
rian church top carriage came along, halted, the
lady stepped in and the carriage drove rapidly OFF
towards Hallowe.
The above mentioned transactions may be of
the same piece, and the carriage seen on North
street be the same one that Mrs. Brown saw on
State street; and it may be q case of bold abdue-
ton, the lady being seized and placed by main
force into the carriage. That there could have
been any assignment CIR appointment in the case,
no one knowing the circumstances for moment
supposes. The young lady has sent no letters by
mail or otherwis e, nor has she received any, and
she has seen no one but her family and physi-
clan. Nothing can be found to show any prior
arrangements or calculations on her part. Not
trace can be obtained of her after she passed her
fathers threshold on that bright moonlight night.
The family are grateful for the expressions OF
sympathy which our people have shown by their
acts We trust that this almost insupportable sus-
pense may soon be broken. even if the worst IS to
be revealed.