Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-23
ANXIOUS FRIENDS
Await Return Of or Word from c. |.
Mitchell Of WaterviIle.
HasiBeen Away Week and No Cause Is Known
Tor His Absence.

Wateryille, Nov 22.-(SpecaD.- The
friends Of c. L. Mitchell. proprietor CT
the Dirigo Straw Works of this city. are
anxious regarding the whereabouts of
that gentleman. Mr. Mitchell left this
CITY one week ago tonight, on the Pull
man. and 1t was understood by those con-
nected with his establishment that he
was going to return a9 'esey morm,nE
night came and Mr. Mitchell did not re-
turn. but nothing was thought OF that
because a man may be unavoldably de-
tanned day.
Thursday brought a letter to the man
with whom Mr.. Mitchell boarded. from
the latter gentleman. and in 1t he stated
that he would return nome Sa nta;nag
a money order for a small amount. but
not anywhere near enough 10 cover the
amount owed by Mr.. Mitchell for board
The restaurant keeper. Dennis Peltier,
says he wonders why Mr.. Mitchell sent
him the money order if he intended TO
return home as he stated in his letter.
in Mr.. Peltier's hands an nnendorsed
check for nearly s.. and the key TO me
workshop, with the instructions to DC
given his assistant. Mr.. Steward. ina,
Monday. To Mr. Steward this was SO
much Greek, for he says he does not nor
never did know how to care Tor the sas
tank The machinery had only been been IN IN
had never been initiated into the hys-
teries of the gas appliances. ...
Mr. Mitchell came to this cry ron ,,n,
sprins and after iookins around some,
decided to start a shop for the manu-
facture of straw goods He had small
capital and started in small way PR
ferring. as he said at the time: TO DeSlh
at the bottom and work up ana own
his plant himself rather than to call into
existence a corporation affair that might
IT. ant J. a
operations in an apartment ON the
Bridge street floor of the Dunn block, IN
which Is the Bay View hotel. at the june
ton of Water. Main and Bridge streets.
Late in the summer. orders FOR ms Eoous
appearing to warrant 1t. ne rented me
basement apartment of the same biock
at the corner of Bridge and Front streets
and put in several machines Tor making
shapes and added a gas machine with
which to quickly dry the Shapes on tHe
forms.
Mr. Mitchell was Il cheerful man ana on
all occasions when referring to his buSi-
ness spoke confidently of the future, ana
to the journal had said that ne mad IN
view renting Il floor in 4 large brick
block across Main street from ms once.
He employed two people only, a young
lady, who attended to business in the
office. and an assistant IN the Worhrooii;
Mr.. Mitchell operated the machiies ana
attended TO the filling of orders himself,
1t was understood from what he had SAID
that he was doing well. that ms receipts
had greatly exceeded his expenses. ana
that it was a matter OF only a short time
before he would branch out Larger than
ever and would give Waterville an indus
try of which all should be proud.
Then why has he gone away Is no
wandering in a state of mental aberra-
ton or has he become the victim OF an
accident or foul PLAY? That is the ques-
ton that bothers his friends, and one
which they would like to solve. Ii is not
possible. in the minds of business frlends
who have some idea of the extent of Mr.
Mitchells business transactions. that ne
has bills in sufficient amount that he can
not meet that would cause him to SKIP
out to avoid their payment.