New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-02
A MISUNDERSTANDING
DID MCGOWAN MEET FOUL PLAys

| HE HAS BEEN MISSING FOR SIX WEEKS AND HIs
RELATIVES THINK THAT HE is DEAD
! Relatives and friends of Frank McGowan, who dis.
appeared mysteriousy January 10, have given up
hope OF seeing him alive again. They think he met
with foul play because they cannot explain his dIsap
| pearancc on any other theory.
MCGOWAN was forty one years old and had travelled
extensively. lie a sailor before he went into the
| employ VI Thomas n. Edison about ten years ago.
The inventor sent agents to different parts Of the globe
10 search for peculiar species Of bamboo the fibre Of
which wanted for in the incandcscent electric
light MCGOWAN had been in south America and he
offered go there and search for the particular ba
boo which Mr.. Edison was in need Of. Mr.. Edison
sent him the perOus journey three years ago, and
MCGOWAN found what other agents had sought for in
vain. The specimens which he sent from south
America were satisfactory, but Mr.. Edison had dis
covered cheaper substitute for the bamboo fibre.
In his travels MCGOWAN suffered many hardshps and
came near dying from fever lie returned 10 this city
early last summer with shattered health. MIR. Edi-
.on paid him $1,000 and gave him some stock in his
company. He also paid his board at Bath Beach, where
MCGOWAN rested until september. MCGOWAN APP
parently reganed his health, and he went W work
for Mr. Edison again at Orange, y. J.
on January H. MCGOWAN came to this city with
about 81 800 in checks and bank notes In his pockets.
In the afternoon he went to see his friend Ernest
showed to Rau a receipted bill for two wigs which
he had purchased from J. Bernadat, of No. Is East
Fourteent and said he had ordered the Wigs to be
sent to Rau's store. They were for two children OF
friend in south America, he said and ne WOULD see
about sending them on his return TO the city on tho
following saturday. The wigs have been kept by
Rau since they were sent to him. McGowan drew
from his pocket two checks, one for 500 ana ina
other for So and his request Ran cased the smaller
check. ." will get you TO cash the other check when
| como back saturday" MCGOWAN said, a. he put
it back into his pocket.
At 80 .. IN. Mctowan got on a car to go TO the
ferry, a. he intending 20 return TO orange.
Rau saw him get the since then MCGOWAN mas
not been seen by any acquaintance. A. he had been
intending to follow Nr. Edison To south Carolina,
his disappearance did not any alarm FOR week
Then Nj. Bachelor OF the Edison Company, started
search which has been prosecuted with visOr IN New
FORK. Brooklyn and New jersey. Hospitals. hotels and
and it has been said that Inspector Byrnes was in
tcrested IN the search, although MciOwans name u
not included in the Official police list Of missing per-
sons.
Captain NJ. +. MCGOWAN. OF No. 100 Charlton ST. the
uncle and nearest living relative Of the missing man.
said last evening" that he believed Franz hsd been
robbed and murdered in Jersey City. Captain Nc
GOWan's son John, who much OF Frank. "a a tlat
tie missing man temperate. and never was known
to lose his reason even when he sick.
MCGOWAN had talked of going back % south Amerlra
TO operate gold and silver mines there, Out ne "Olld
have undertaken such journey without Informing
his friends