Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-09-08
MYSTERIES OF CLARINGTON.

! A Clarington 60. .)dispatch of Aug. % in the
New York SIN says During the past three
months there have been three mysterious
disappearance from this village, two o.
them so far unaccounted for. The fret was
that of Matte Yost, the highly accomplished
daughter OF wealthy farmer, living nearly
Il mile from the Ohio river. On Tuesday
Nav &, she left the tea table to answer a
call from her brother q few yards from the
door. After n moments conversation the
brother and sister separated, the former TO
go TO the barn and the latter to enter the
house. 1t was yet daylight, but after that
moment no one ever saw the girl alive.
Every effort was made TO ascertain her
whereabouts Detectives were employed
and advertisements inserted in newspapers,
but all to no effect About six weeks ago q
BODY was found in the river about twenty
miles south of this town. When taken ashore
it was discovered to be the body of Matte
Yost. There were no signs Of violence.
The clothiug was intact, except that the
shoes and stockings were gone.
The second disappearance not less mvs-
terious Three weeks ago Jacob Roemer,
the leading merchant Of the town, started
for Wheeling to buy goods. He was in per-
feet health and expected to be gone few
davs only In Wheeling he called on 4 few
friends, paid several bills, made his selec.
tons of goods, ordered them shipped, and
in broad daylight crossed the suspension
bridge 10 the Ohio side to take 81 train for
Wellsvile to buy crockery. He had quite
Il sum OF money i'll his possession. From
the time he stepped from the street car TO
enter the depot no trace of him has been
found. Money has been spent, detectives
employed, and every effort made 10 lind
some clew, but without success. Roemer's
business was successful, he had no debts,
never drank or gambled, was without enc
mics, and was considered Il man cf fine abil-
ity.
The third and last disappearance occurred
on Tuesday night last. One Of the best
known families of the village is that of Jason
Thomas. He had IL daughter, vivacious
AND educated, named Minnie, who was is
wears ii age. She was general lavorlte III
the town. 1t was expected that early III
September she would go west on pleasure
trip and TO visit friends. On Tuesday night
she left her home at about o'clock 10 pur-
chase some articles for her travelling outfit.
From there she was to go 10 church
with a lady friend. Miss Thomas went to
the store, completed her shopping and left.
Shc has not been seen heard of since. No
theory for her disappearance can be found. Her
homo relations were pleasant, she was much in
tcrcsteG in her western trip, and never showed
any signs of mental disturbances. There Is no
railroad on this side Of the river, and no boats
left that night. The ferryman says she did not
cross the river to the railroad, which would have
been unnecessary, rs no trains passed until the
morning. No passengers got on the morning train
All these mysterious and ncxplc&b!e disap-
pcarances recall one that occurred in Wheeling
twenty years ago A rich cattle dealer was miss
iny one day, and for more than nineteen years no
trace of him could be found. Less than year
ago, rumor gained credence that his body was
in a well on a stock farm three miles away. The
well had been so long unused that few people
knew of its existence. With many doubts the
old well was opened aud tho mans body found.
His money was gone, aad there were several evil
dcuccs of foul play. Some old clcws were follow
cd MP and Il prominent and wealthy merchant
was arrested and charged with the crime Moth
ing came oft, and upon his discharge he entered
several libel suits. which arc now pending.