The Portland daily press., 1886-12-11
EDWARD p. FOX FOUND
He Writes from Washington that He
Doesn't Know What Happened to
Him


was received yesterday from Edward r. Fox, the
missing bookkeeper for Comey & Co., No. 577
Broadway, who disappeared from his home on
| November 1st. liberal reward had been offered
for information about him and circulars had been
| freely distributed bearing his photograph and
description, but with no success. The first news
came from Fox himself and is contained In the
following letter, posted In Washington on Decem-
Der 7th, at $50 a. M;
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dee. 7, 1886.
Dear Slr-I am alive and, thank God. again in
possession OF my faculties. Why or how left
nome cannot tell. There is cloud over all
tnat, which cannot now see through. / gradu-
any came TO realize that was IN strange house
and In strange city among strangers. Every
thing was confused and could not fix my mind
upon anything TO think. Was even doubtful
learned the TRUTH that l had disappeared on
November !. 1t was horrible to me; Iwanted to
brought sorrow and suffering to all who were
dear to me. But God preserved my life and has
try in some ne way 10 repair the mischief nv acts
have done. feel now deeply the trouble, anxiety
and sorrow have caused my friends and tremble
when think OF my wife and mother. learn by
telegraph that my wife is in Mason City, Iowa,
and am going there at once, as l feel that my
nrst duty Is TO her; have written to my mother
more fully very soon and In the meantime beg
that you will write me what Is the condition Of
dudlls dt tue SLOfe ana give me some WORD OF d0
vice. With kindest regards TO your family and to
all az the store am with great respect,
Yours very truly.
The police shake their heads and look wise over
the letter. III the missing man had turned up In
an insane asylum or other public institution they
would not nave been surprised; such things fire.
quently occur. But how man could be so far out
OF his mind as not to know his own identity and
yet be able TO pay for accommodations in strange
mousse among strangers In Washington Is what they
do not understand without more explicit state
ment OF facts.
II have replied to this letter." said r. H. comey.
the head of the firm of COmey & Co., Nand direct
ed II 10 Fox In care Of his wife at Mason City.
Iowa. Mrs. Fox renamed In her home, No. 155
west f1teenth street, for two weeks after her
husbands disappearance and then returned with
her one child to her parents at Mason City. / do
ed, 70 have Fox togesume his old position here.
His accounts were found perfectly correct ana his
character was Of the best, yet more thorough
explanation Of the mystery Is very desirable If
Fox had told us In what house he came to his
senses, and among what people he found himself,
we could have easily verified his statement. He
mas not done so. however, and while l do not
doubt the truth Of his letter. am not vet prepar-
ed 10 say what think about it,"
The Tribune says editorially that its vagueness,
and indeed the whole letter, seems TO Indicate
mind still somewhat dlsordered. Before Fox's en-
ployers finally decide that they really can't take
him back, it would only be kind to give the un-
fortunate man time TO recover himself fully. The
police, with equal justice, might also refrain from
significant looks, since their keenest Inquiries
have revealed no wrong-d0ug.