The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-19
VAL KEIFER MISSING
He Disappears MysteriOusly with
Two of His Children.
His Wife and Daughter ~Unacquainted
with Their Observation-Disclosures
to Have Gone to Oregon.

Valentine Keifer, a wealthy property
owner and former business man, is missing
from his home, No. 25S West Michigan
street. Two little daughters, aged ten and
twelve years, are also absent, presumably
with their missing parent. The disappear
ance Of Keifer occurred two weeks ago. 1t
is shrouded in mystery, even to his wife
and oldest daughter, Miss Josie Keifer, aged
about eighteen. The Keifers occupied a
pleasant home at No. 25S West Michigan
street, where the wife and daughter yet
remain. The disappearance of the husband
and father with the two little girls. Pearl
and Amber, has been religiously kept from
the public, although the immediate neigh
borhood has been cognizant of 1t for more
than a week. Mrs. Keifer fatty declined to
discuss her affairs, but to a reporter who
called last Friday she admitted that her
husband was not at home and that she
could not say where he was. She is about
thirty-ive years of age and is the second
wife of Keifer, who several years ago left
his first wife in Cincinnati under peculiar
circumstances They were subsequently d.
vorced, and she still resides in the Queen
City with two children. A year or two later
Keifer was married again in this city to
his present wife. He was then a young
man and embarked in the grocery business
at the corner of West and Michigan streets.
He was familiar with the business, having
| owned a grocery while he lived in Cincin-
natl. His business fourished, and six years
ago he disposed of it. Keifer had accumu-
lated considerable money through thrift and
energy, and 1t is now estimated that he is
worth SO, COO. 1t is supposed that he took
a large supply of funds with him when he
left two weeks ago.
UVl@ 49, Iff Af fho IyfafarC hos 1nt
the recent trouble, been smooth and un-
eventful, SO far as known. With their
three children they lived for many years
on Michigan street. happy and contented.
Shortly after he sold his business here
Keifer took his family West. He settled in
Kansas, remaining there until a few
months ago. When they returned to Indi-
annapolis it was not his intention to go into
business again, and he occupied his time in
looking, after his property. Apparently, he
was devoted to his wife and children. Mrs.
Keifer saw nothing that would indicate a
difference in his affections, and when the
with great severity. A week ago last Sat
urday keifer disappeared. Shortly after
noon on that day he abruptly remarked to
and Amber, were wearing their hair in q
style sadly out of fashion, and suggested
that they should have their bangs
trimmed. Mrs. Keifer made no demur to
the suggestion, and her husband instructed
her to prepare the children, for a trip down
wv dllLS Ni0% A0 wa N@RC ~
the barber before returning. Without q
thought of anything unusual. Mrs. Keifer
carefully attired the children for the street,
her husband awaiting the completion OF
their toilets outside the house. Pearl and
Amber playfully tossed their mother a
goodbye kiss, and the trio left together.
The mother watched them until they dis
appeared in the distance, and, as 1t may be,
out of her life entirely. Since the moment
her husband and daughters left her pres
ence she has had no word from them, and
is utterly in the dark as to their where
abouts.
Keifer has several relatives in Indianapo-
lis, but apparently none of them know
went directly to Chicago, with his two chill
dren, but nothing positive is known. His
wife entertains the idea that he may posi-
bly, have gone to Portland, Ore, although
she has had no Information to that erect
She states that some time ago he proposed
that they remove to the Northwest, but she
objected TO the arrangement. She told him
that he would not be satisfied there, but
suggested that he make another trip West
for his own pleasure. Before taking him
self off so mysteriously, Keifer gave his
family no inkling of his intentions. and 1t
was understood that the household was to
remain here. Mrs. Keifer will not suffer
from the desertion, as she is left. with a
erty, much of which they owned in COM
mon. She deplores the manner OF his leav-
ing, and is greatly grieved on account of
the absence of the little girls, who We're
bright. affectionate children, of whom she
was very proud. She has left to comfort
loss TO understand her fathers strange con-
duct. Keifer Is about forty years old, and
is a tall, dark man of good appearance.
Many rumors are afioat among the rela-
lives and friends Of the family, but the
wife and daughter studiously refrain from
making any comment.