Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-29
MISSING FROM HOME
Alarm Over the Mysterious Disapeaarn
of Holm Me han of River street,

Alarm Over the Mysterious Disappearance
of John Me han of River Street.
Where is John Meehan, aged % years, 5
feet inches in height, weight 150 pounds?
When last seen by his parents he wore a
black derby hat, black cutaway coat and
vest, dark brown striped pants, laced shoes,
white shirt and collar and was clean
shaven. He has been missing for over a
week.
ADEMocRAT reporter visited 299 River
street to-day, where he resided with his
parents, Mr. and Mrs James Meehan. and
the following story was told of the disap
pearance of the young man: One week
ago last Friday he arose at his usual hour,
ate his breakfast shaved himself, put on
his best clothes and at half past eleven
left the house. His father watched and
following him saw him turn down Baldwin
street, toward Hopeville. That is the last
his relatives have seen or heard of him.
Two years before the big blizzard the
young man left home and went to New
York The year of the blizzard he had an
attack of the grip and was i'll in hospital
in New York. He came home from the
hospital and was sick here for two weeks.
He worked since until the latter
part of last February. About one
year ago he was taken with
severe hemorrhages, which were attributed
to his attack of grip. He has had sever Il
hemorrhages since then. DR. Lopez has
been attending him of late and said that
the nemorrhage was from the head. He
advised the parents to have the young man
sent away where he would have chance
to recover. He was employed as brass
turner at the Watch factory. One stormy
day in the latter part of February he failed
to come home to dinner. About o'clock
ho orr1ya1 homo yuh ot
mented. Since then he has had spells of
insanity. His malady never took a violent
turn, however. He would sit by himself
talking and at periods raise his hands to
his head crying, MY God, my head;
what will 1 do" 1t was his
custom to get out of bed after the rest of
the family had retired, put on his clothes
and go out. His mother continually
watched him. One stormy day when the
snow was falling fast. he left the house.
His mother looking out later saw him
lying on the doorsteps with the snow fall
ing around him. She called to her hus-
band, who tried to induce him to come in.
He consented to so in tho kitchen door.
The father went to unbolt it, when the boy
started up the street. The father followed
him. He went onto the New England
tracks and started toward Hopeville. His
father tried to bring him home, but he
said he was going to Danbury. Mr. Meehan
then entered a house near by and tried to
have him follow him. He refused. 1t was
midnight and the father just succeeded in
dragging him from the tracks as the mid
night train went by. The son then
crossed the trestle work near by and es-
capped Mr. Meehan got home about half
past five and the boy came home himself
about half past eight.
AhOut q week apO he kent continually
telling his mother he was going away, that
he could not stand it any longer. He
kept his word. He had with him medi-
cine and pills prescribed for him. His
folks thought he might have gone to rela-
tives in Simonsville or Ansonia, but such
was not the case. They have written to
Newark, where he formerly worked, but
have received no answer. The father and
mother, and in fact the whole family, are
distracted, and any information would be
gladly received by them.