Connecticut western news., 1895-12-19
DID HE TAKE THE CAsHs
Shakers Miss e ,0OO Since Their Elder
 Departed.

Shakers Miss e4 ,OOO Since Their Elder
 Departed.
 The New York Press of Dec. IA, says: Elder Daniel Oford of the North family of the Shaker settlement an Mount Leb- anon, whose disappearance week ago was simultaneous with that of Mabel FraEklin, the community's pretty ac- countant. may find himself in the laws clutches if all that is said about him proves to be true. An investigation of the finances of the North family is said to have disclosed 8 shortage of about $4, 900. The last trace of Elder Offord and his fair companion was in New York city, where Deacons Shaw and Gates of the settlement went in pursuit. In talking over the departure of Elder Offord the members of the community charitably attribute his indiscretions to mental trouble induced by overwork. As for Miss Franklin, it is explained that she was only probationary mem- ber of the society. It is understood that the loss of its funds will cause the North family serious embarrassment. Elder Offord came to the community with his father when he was only 12 years old. He was taken in and edu- cated at the society's expense and for forty years has been one of its mem- I bers.'' 4.
 
 The Springfield Republican of Dec. 9th says: "Dsniel Offord, the Shaker I of mysterious disappearance fame, has for some days been absent from the town of Shaker settlepent and Mount Lebanon. He has severed all connec- tions with the Shakers of Mount Leba non, where he has been. since the death of Elder Evans. trustee with Benjamin Gates. Charles Graves has been ap- pointed trustee in his place. MT Offord is we'll known in Pittsfeld, where he has had buisness friends for many years. He is a man highly respected. Of his whereabouts nothing can be definite ly learned. The Shakers are rather reticent Tn the matter.
 Now here is what the Pittsfield Eagle of Dec 10th says: During the past week there have been rumors of the sndden disappearance of a member of the North family of Shakers of New Lebanon. It has been impossible to learn much regarding the facts until to- day when member of the family stated that Daniel Offrod, who has been a member of the family for the past A years. coming there when eight years of age, had suddenly disappeared. He had been one of the leaders of the family and was we'll known in this section. Ii rumored that he has been, or is about to be married to woman who was formerly member of the same family of Shakers"
 Here are some editorial comments from the Pittsfeld Eagle of the i4th ints.: The flight of Daniel Offord, re. calls little story published in Munsey < this last summer, concerning Shaker maiden's wooiDg, flight to Pittsfield. chase by the elder, nasty marriage, etc quite pretty little story said to have been written by @ young newspaper man who lived with the Lebanon Shak CTS for time, and did actually marry 3hakeress It also recalls Hawthorne'' much more dramatic sketch. "Hannaf Pearson" was it calledf
 To an outsider life in Shaker com nunity aff,rds no opportunity for TO nance, but romance is blossom whict often unfolds upon the dryest and mos uppromising stem.
 Those who are reading William Dear , Howell's little story in Harper's Bazaa
 can construct for themselves a counter part to it in the slopement from be' Shakers of Daniel Offord and his lad,
 love, to take upon themselves new Tiff
 in the "world-outside." It seems tha
 when Daniel Offord himself she ssit Yea"
 The foregoing comments are good. bu
 the NEWS wishes to say that if the Tiff
 and adventures of Forbes Munsol k among the Shakers could be written ul
 it would eclipse the little story pub lished in Munsey's.