The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-24
MR.. BLUE A LIVELY CORPSE.
A Man Who Has Been Missing for Years
Discovered in Nebraska Town.
The Circumstances Under Which Suit on
aPOlicy Against the Pythian Endowment
Was Dismissed by the Plaintiffs.

The sudden and mysterious disappearance of
Cyrus B. Blue from his home in this city nearly
eight years ago is doubtless well remembered by
many persons in indianapolis, especially among
members Of the order of Knights Of Pythias, to
which he belonged. TWAS supposed by his friends
that he was dead, and, as four years elapsed
without any tidings from him or any trace of his
whereabouts, suit was instituted by Mrs. Blue
for the recovery of $1,000 insurance on his life,
to which his family was entitled on account of
his membership in the endowment rank of the
Knights of Pythias. There was no positive evil
dence of his death, although the stran &c circum
stances surrounding his disappearance justified
a belief that he was no longer living.
The court decided that the order
could not be compelled to pay
the insurance at that time on the strength Of
the evidence presented in the case. but ruled
that the plaintiff should have the right to file
new suit for the recovery of the money three
years later if nothing should be heard in the
meantime from the missing man. Under the
laws Of Indiana an absence of seven years
is accepted as proof of death, if
there is no evidence to the contrary,
and as the stipulated period expired in last April
without anything turning up to indicate that
Blue was still alive his family seemed to be GER
tain Of recovering the insurance on his life. The
papers for new suit were prepared and would
have been filed several weeks ago, but proceed
ings were delayed in compliance with the re-
quest Of the order, for the purpose of allowing
further time for inquiring into the case, upon
the supposition that litigation could thereby be
avoided
Gen. James r. Carnahan was employed as an
attorney to inquire into the case, and after
diligent investigation of several days, he finally
succeeded in obtaining information which gave
him clew to work upon Two weeks ago he
went to Nebraska in search of man whom he
supposed could give him some information
about Blue, if he was still living. Careful cues
tioning elected that this person had seen Blue
six years ago in that State. With the informa-
ton obtained there the General pursued his
clews further, and finally found another witness
who had seen Blue only two weeks previous and
who knew where the missing man was then liv-
ing By diligent detective work Blue was To-
Gated at Scotia, Greeley county, and was found
there by General Carnahan. When approached
he made no effort to conceal his identity, and
freely answered all questions concerning his dis
appearance from Indianapolis. He had left home,
had not disclosed his whereabouts because he
had no desire to renew his relations with his
family. He had no disposition to return home.
and wanted simply to be let alone He knew
nothing about the efforts of his family
to recover insurance on his life. He
willingly gave an affidavit embody-
ing all the facts material to the defense
Of the Knights of Pythias in the contemplated
suit, and with this and other sworn statements
supporting the affidavit of Blue, General Carna
han returned to indianapolis.
He informed the attorneys for Mrs. Blne that
he was prepared TO meet their case, which was
ready to be filed, and suggested that it would
probably be to their advantage, before be-
ginning proceedings, to know what his de-
Tense would be. desire. to obtain
nahan produced the affidavit showing that Blue
had been seen in Nebraska within the last six
years The attorneys regarded this as very
weak evidence, but when the affidavit of Blue,
together with others supporting it, were read
they were fully satisfied that there was nothing
in their case and, therefore, the suit will not be
fled.
During his residence in this city Blue was a
contractor in a small way, and was Familiarity
known about the courthouse. He is now well
along in years. his age being about sixty-fve
Besides his wife, he has son in this city. who
Is plumber.