Fergus County argus., 1892-04-21
A SAD CASE.
A Father Searches in Vain for His Missing
Son.

Our readers will remember that mention
appearance from Grass Range of a young
man named Arthur NJ. Goodrich. At the
time the incident created but little inquiry
or interest as it was thought the young
man had unceremonously left for parts
unknown, but would in due time advise his
parents Of his whereabouts. The history
uT the case so lar as we can learn is as fol-
lows: Young Goodrich being imbued with
the western fever and learning OF the oppor-
tunities for young men to better their con-
ditioa in Montana, left his home at Wal.
ton, Deleware county, New York, about a
year ago, and came to this state. For
time he was employed on the Severance
ranch near Okla, leaving there he returned
to Billings whore he met Nate McCauley, OF
Grass Range, who offered him employment,
y hich hc accepted. Alter remaining with
Mr.. CauIey a while he went to work for
Van Spal,ling, on the south fork OF Me
Donald creek and in his employ at the
time al his disappearance, about the first
of December.
An ARGUS reporter called on Mr.. Spald-
ing at his home in this place Tuesday to
ascertain such facts he knew in relation
tn thcaiiHir. Mr.. Spalding said; Goodrich
put up hay with me last summer and while
| knew him seemed neither Respondent nor
discouraged. ! moved To Iewistownin No
vrlnh-r. lea wing Gnodrich and a man named
sharpe on the ranch for the winter. Good
rich came To town about the last of No
I - IA l..
last saw of him. Sharp said Goodrich
ret urncd tn the ranch seemingly in good
SPIRITS. Sharp had orrasion To go to Flat
willow II few days later and never saw
Goodrich again, for when Sharp returned
| the cabin was locked and Goodrich gone.
A few days after Sharp found note ON n
shelf signed 10y Goodrich and which gave
his fathers address and added that he was
tired oi life and was going to kill himself.
Search was b"eun through the surrounding
country. but no trace or him could he
found. lie took nothing with him and
| must have gone on i-ot. Two-thirds oi
a small bottle of stryclnine was found
missing aud ! think he must have wan
lrrrd into the bad lands, not far distant,
and there ended his career. He had no
| yaluables except a certificate oi deposit oi
J S.ju in the Bank OF Fergus Co."
II. B. Goodrich, father ofthe young man,
| arrived in Lewistown about three weeks
ago and proceeded at once to Mcdonald
creek where he has been ever since prose.
cutting the now almost hopeless search for
| his sons remains. In view OF the state
mcnt made by Mr.. Spalding it is possible
young Goodrich may have walked far away
| into the bad lands and seeking some
isolated spot, taken the deadly drug. His
remains may have been devoured by
wolves and cayotes and his clothing scat
tered and dragged away. But there arc
those who believe that the young man is
still alive and that i'll time he will turn vi
at the old home to surprise and gladden.
the hearts OF his parents. But this is i'm
probable and unnatural. The young man
was intelligent and old enough to realize
| the anxiety and sadness such an an act
would bring upon his famiip. However, j.
the father gets no trace of the lost son, lac
will always he waiting and hoping that til.
views Of those who think him alive are cor
rect. 1t is n sad affair and the sympathy
Of our people is with Mr.. Goodrich in his
tircless and desolate search for his son.