Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-14


Pierce, the father of the young man, left
last night for the point where his son is
reported to have been discovered.
1t will take several days to reach the
location, and it is his intention to ascer-
tain everything that can in any way
contribute to full explanation of his
sons conduct.
In conversation with Mr.. Pierce yester-
day, that gentleman informed the GLOBE
reporter that he was convinced that if his
son is alive as reported, he is laboring I'M
der mental cloud of hallucination.
In other words, he is of the opinion that
his son is deranged.
knowledge came to GLOBE reporter
yesterday that some weeks before his de-
parture young Pierce purchased an axe
and lantern from the store of Adam Deck
or. He had the articles charged to the
Linseed Oil company, but as he was not
authorized to make the purchase, the bill
was not paid when presented. When asked
by one of the firm why he had purchased
the articles he stated that he intended 60
ing up on the Duluth road to get out ties.
What became of the axe or lantern, or
whether they have any bearing or signif-
canoe on the case is not of course known.
NIB. PIERCE EXPLAINS AND ASKS SUSPENSION
OF JUDGMENT.
AS great deal of comment has been in
dulged in calculated to iniure the feelings
of the afflicted family, and reflect on the
character of the young man, the GLOBE
cheerfully publishes the following as indi
eating his high character:
To the Editor of the Globe
ST.. PAUL, Feb. 13.-I trust it will not be
deemed intrusion if ask leave to be brief
ly heard in the GLOBE relative to the mys-
terry of my unfortunate son, R. A. Pierce
Both his mother and myself feel that
death is preferable to a conviction that he
could have been guilty of the heinous
crime of having designedly fabricated the
appearances that were brought to our
sight on the I'd of January.
There was nothing in his former history
that would seem to make him capable of
such an act. Few young mon seemed to
be more exemplary in life or more tender
of the feelings and comfort of his parents
and his sisters and only brother.
His mind seemed to be evenly balanced,
and his industry and anxiety to build up
character for his business capacity and re-
liability was his most prominent trait.
How he was regarded by those
who were his employers may be
gathered from the following quotation
from letter received on Sunday last from
Mr.. E. F. Drake, dated Frankfort, Germany,
25th of January: "Your son was for some
time in my Office, and 1 entertained for
him high regard. think he had before
him an honorable future"
ASuch testimony as this, from gentleman
more widely and favorably known perhaps
than any business man in the northwest, is
certainly entitled to consideration, but it is
only one of many that could be produced.
He was not eccentric except in one par
ticular. He was reticent to fault. His
affairs were kept SO closely to himself that
one could know little about them.
When he was some sixteen years of age,
he had been two years in the High school,
The summer vacation came on and he was
restless to do something. This SO wore
upon him that without consulting his
parents, he left home, but in manner to
leave no doubt as to his purpose, packing
and taking his clothes with him.
He turned up at Waverly. When he got
there he applied to Mr.. Cullen, we'll
known business man of that place, for sit
uation in his store. Mr.. Cullen afterwards
related the first interview with me.
He said Dick came in looking weary and
anxious and said he would like to have
chance to clerk in his store, and gave his
name. Mr.. G. told him he might be dis
honest and it would be hardly safe to trust
him. He says at this Dick drew himself
up and with look of great earnestness
said: "Do you think I will do any thing
to dishoner my fathsr?" The manner in
which he made this simple utterance dis
armed Mr.. G. and he at once employed him
and he remained with him four months,
during which time he was a member of
his family and has ever since remained at
tached to them and they to him. A
nephew of Mr.. G. who was with him there,
has eyer since been his most intimate
friend. And it was at the house of this
young man, John McHale, Minneapolis,
he was last known to be at
Minneapolis on the LIST of January at 1880
in the evening. Unfortunately his friend
was at that time away from home and it is
from his mother that we learn he was there.
McHale is a young man of high character
and he scouts the idea that Dick was in any
improper relations with any woman, and
says he never saw anything eccentric or
improper in his conduct
When twenty-ono years of age he made
an overland trip through Dakota territory,
and remained there six months, most of
the time at Sioux Falls, where he was en-
ployed in law Office making collections.
While in that territory he secured home
stead and tree claim at Huron which are
still in his name, and regarded by him as
valuable. The homestead he purchased
from the government so that he would not
have to occupy it. On his return from Da-
kota he has been most of the time in the
employ of the same persons in the interest
of the Linseed Oil company of this city.
On Dec. 1, with a view of doing
business on his own account
he severed his connection with that COM
pany and received at the time the follow
ing certificate which was found in his coat
pocket on his disappearance:
OFFICE OF ST. PAUL LINsEHD On Co.,
ST.. PAUL, Dec. 2, 1882.
We take pleasure in stating that MIR. r. A.
Pierce has been in our employ for above two
years and that we have always found him faith