The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-08-12

The Strange Disappearance Of Editor
Wallis, Of Paris, III.

The Strange Disappearance Oh hSoitoH
Wallis, of Paris, III.
The mysterious disappearanse in Chicago,
on July 23.of Mr.. @. N Walls, the editor OF the
Paris (nl.) Republican Beacon, and which at
the time excited much comment both from the
press and the public, has finally come to be
looked upon by the friends of the missing man
an a case OF murder for purposes OF robbery.
The pol 90 of Chicago have not ceased IN their
efforts To lind clew To Mr.. Walls wherea-
outs, but, 80 far, they have been eminently
unsuccessful. The Chicago Inter Ocean, com
menting editorially upon thus dark mystery,
says:
A body was found in the lake on Thursday
which was thought at one time 10 he that OF
c. N. Walls, editor of tine Paris (lll Repubtsodn,
whose disappearance two weeks ago was widely
chronicled.
The circumsi ances connected with this dis
appearance are among the straugest on 10 cord,
aud rival III mystery the stories Of Charles Reade
or Wllkie Collins.
About ten days ago, while thousands Of ex-
cited men and gayly dressed women were cheer
ing and waving their handkerchiefs over
closely contested race at the Jocsey Club Park,
a gentleman III a prominent seat Of the grand
stand 4 IL suddenly back III an unconscious con-
dition There was n hustle and stir IN the dense
crowd immediately surrounding him but the
great mass knew nothing or paid little atten-
ton To one man III simple faining hit
The bell struck sharply, ordering up the drip
ping Jrses for another heat, and the IN ort-
innate man, removed from the immediate pres
ence of the crowd, was left to work his way
back to consciousness, while the gay thousands
again turned their attention 10 the races.
Stranger though he was to those sur
rounding him, there would have been
plenty Of assistance rendered without
doubt had there not appeared, Ill the hustle and
excitement Immediately following the iainting
fit two men, who seemed to lie the strangers
friends. and who took charge OF HIM. 1t Is
now known that these men were unacqualnted
with MIR Walls, that they we're without doubt
villains of the worst type, and that under the
guise OF acquaintance they took the uncon-
scious man away with them robbed him, and
probably end ID the matter by numbering hun.
That sucn thing should be possible III this
day, and in this city, seems too horr ble to be-
lieye, and vet this conviction Is forced upon us.
From the moment they disappeared all trace OF
these men and their victim was lost and none
has as yet been found, unless the silent, doat-
ing body found in the lake proves to be the miss
ing man. 1t ID understood that MIR. Walls had
a considerable sum Of money with him, and,
II murder has been committed, il was un-
doubtedly done to cover the crime Of robbery
q prevent all efforts on his part 10 identify
or capture the TO bers when he should recover.
That murder was necessary TO accomplish the
robbery il, OF course, improbable. The man was
unoonsciou-, ana IL IA quite likely that he con-
tnued In this state or some time, his iainIing
was thouI Int to have been the result of sun-
stroke, from which lie had once before suffeied.
1t IL not unlikely that the man was cooliy muir
dered rs the shortest wy TO get rid OF hum,
and the mhumanity and iendlshness Of the.
crime scarcely has parallels. thieves
are generally content to get away
with plumber without bearing the
blood of a victim on their hands, aud even the
worst Of men usually proceed to exir, mites
only last resort. But if this man was
killed, as il generally supposed il was need
less and caus,less crime, even from the high
wayman's standpoint, and ID 80 shocking as to
be incredible without the evidence which
makes II rncontesttle.
What occurred after the fainting man was
carried from his seat and placed IN carriage at
the Driving Park may never be known bur, on
the theory that he carried to his death, 1t
may be- im-g ned. Helpless III the
hands Of fends, no one in the busy
streets dreaming that the passing car
rage contained friendless man IN the
power OF cutthroats, the horrible some was
enacted. Perhaps TIE body, breathing but still
unconscious, was dumped into the lake. to be
hoated ashore alter DAYS had elapsed, and
identified or, if the body discovered
III the waves on Thursday proves to
be some one else. then the victim
murdertd and hidden forever FROM sight Ill a
rude aud hAsty grave. The fact that the men
who carried the help es- man away cannot he
found is OF itself strong proof tuat Their work
was vlllainous beyond description
[NoTE.-Ihe bOdy referred TO by the Inter
Ocean was not that of MIR. Walls, and lore no
Resemblance 10 the missing man.