The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-28
IS IT SUICIDE?
THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF
EUGENE CALHOUN.
A Searching Party Out All Night
Without Accomplishing
Anything.
BE Bought Morphine at 6 O'clock and
Has Not Been Seen by Any
One Since

One of the strancest disappearance
cases noted in this city for a long time is
that of boy named Eugene Calhoun, son
of George Calhoun of the Wichita Ice
company. The case battles everyone OF
detective incllnations, including the
police.
Eugene was left at home about noon
yesterday when his mother and sister
came up town, the latter for her music
lessons. That was the last time the boy
gas seen at home.
About ) o'clock, however, he entered a
North Main street drug store, stated that
his mother was very sick with the bead
ache, and obtained some morphine pills.
Previous 10 getting the drug he told a
chum that he intended running away
next day stating that be would 90 to the
territory What did he want with the
morphine pills2 is the question that has
been the most natural TO ask since his
mother did not send him after them as he
stated. The boy has been studying hard
all winter and had his mind and determ
inaiion so firmly sci in passing examina-
tons in his school that it was his entire
bobby for some time.
school, bu; when examination day arrived
he failed i'll his examination and his
chums think that the failure affected his
mind. He has been moody and blue ever
since and when il WAS aScertaiued that he
purchased the morphine it was not very
difficult to arrive at the conclusion that
he committed suicide. On the other hand
he never iutimated Il desire to commit sui
eide. while he did express his intention Of
running away. He has been saving up
dimes, nickles etc for some time
until be had in the neighbOrhood of 500
When he failed to go home last night his
mother went TO his pocketbook and found
all the money in it with the exception OF
fifteen or twenty cents. IL he ran away to
Oklahoma it Is reasonable 10 suppose that
he would take this money with him. The
boy who saw him at the drug store said
that he told him he would borrow the
money with which to pay his
fare to the territory from one
OF the hands at the ice plant, but the
hand" in question stated that he was not
asked for any money by the boy and did
not give him any. After buying the NOR
phine be told his chum that he had only n
penny in his pocket and that be wanted
10 see the boys who were around scramble
for II. He did so and after the fun was
oTer both boys separated. Another reason
advanced against the theory that he took
n train for the territory is that the deg
that was with him is still missing. If
he took the train il is very natural
and very probable that the dog would re-
turn home. IL has been suggested that he
may not have taken the train, but pre-
ferred walking. and that the dog was
taken along for company. Those who
know him best, however, think that he did
mot have the Derve to travel at night All
these theories are advanced and discussed,
until he fact Of the morphine again pre-
sents itself, when the subject becomes
denser and denser. The parents of the
boy are almost distracted. Last night
The neIghbors and a number of boys
lnaugurated a search for him, and
;the only thing IN the nature of a clue We're
the tracks OF Il boy and dog on the sand of
the river down near the pest house which
had all the appearance of being made re-
Gently. The father still holds to the theory
That his boy has run away and that ne is
on the road somewhere between here aud
Mulhal!, OK. kilograms will be sent out
thls morning to every station along the
line, IN hopes of his apprehension
The boy is u years OF age. about feet
Inches high, rather slim and inclined TO
tie freckled. He was dressed in a brown
suit OF clothes, wore brown hat black
stockings and knee pants. The dog that
accompanied him was Of - yellowish red
color.