Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-11-29

1t is seldom that the city of DEBORAH
is plunged into an uproar of excite
ment over the sudden and mysterious
disappearance of some person within
its limits. And when such a circum-
stance does occur it leaves shock and
imprint upon the community which
only time is able to efface.
But such was the condition of our
little city on Monday last. The facts
as presented to PUBLIC OPINION re-
porter who was on the alert for details
are that two young gentlemen arrived
in DEBORAH last Saturday evening,
with the avOwed intention of persuing
a course of instruction at Valdez Bust
ness College and Normal School. They
came from Southern Minnesota, bright
with prospects for winter of hard,
Jealous work in the above justly famed
institution of learning, hoping to re-
turn to their business vacations in the
spring with renewed energy and with
intellects better prepared to battle
with life's duties and trials. Rooms
and board were engaged and the usual
preparatory details completed on Sat
urday evening, everything being in
readiness to begin work on Monday
morning.
Monday came, and at the usual time
the students of Valdez College assem-
bled for the accustomed opening eXer-
cises; but, alas, these two young hope
fuls were not to be found among the
number. Being somewhat surprised
at their absence Prof. Valdez sent
delegation to ascertain their where
abouts and if possible bring them to
the college. Diligently did this COM
mittee search the city They went to
the room engaged by the gentlemen
and found to their amazement that
they had not been seen there that
morning and their trunks were gone.
Next upon going to the depot they
were surprised TO learn that the trunks
belonging to these two young men
were there, checked for Leroy; but on
account of the wreck on the day pre-
vious no trains had as yet been run ov-
er the line, so of course the missing par
ties had not left by rail. So with sad
dened hearts they turned away to
search the city. Nothing was left I'M
covered in their long, toilsome watch
for those of their clan whom they had
hoped to embrace as brothers in this
weary world of struggle for enIighten-
ment and advancement.
For hours they continued the search,
carefully examining every nook and
corner where their friends might posi-
bly, he found; but no, it was all of no
avail. So weary and worn out with
their long continued search, they slow
ly and with downcast countenances
wendell their way back to mourn the
absence and possible loss of their
brother-students in common with the
professors and scholars of Valdez Col
lege. Great was the CONSERVATION
which prevailed when the announce
ment was made to the school that
these young men were nowhere to be
found. Various were the ideas ex-
pressed accounting for their sudden
disappearance. But be these as they
may, these two young gentlemen have
not at this writing been found, and
still the once merry students of this
college wend their way to and fro from
classes, detected and downcast, be-
cause they have lost those whom they
had hoped to have as toilers among
them in the great strife for knowledge.
Detectives are searching for them,
and we hope to be able to report i'm our
next issue that the lost have been
found, and that they are safe and well.
Let him who understands the myster-
les and intricacies of college life come
forth and speak.