Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-24
CAN'T BE FOUND.
Ben. S. Collins of N0rridge-
wock, Among Missing.
Is One Of Somersst's Prominent Men,
Being Present County Attorney.
Woman Said 10 Be Connected With Departure
Last seen, Thursday.

North Anson- 4fne 23.-(Spechip.-
The quiet comv!sity in this Village
is all astir over the. disappearapoe of
one of it's best knoWn citizens.
Ben S. Collins. Esq. county. artor-
ney of Somerset county. first Select
man and clerk of the town of Nor
rdgewock, well known lumberman
member of the firm of Emery, Collins &
Co.. has certainly gone away from
home and friends and all the honors
and emOluments of office, and has dis
appeared.
AS nearly as can be learned he left
home one week ago this morning, oS-
tensibly on a business trip. Nothing
further was heard from him till last
night, when Mr.. Collins wife received
letter from stating that he had gone
away for good. that there would be no
use in searching for him, as he could
not be found
1t is said. however, that Mr.. Collins
did not go alone. 1t may only be a
strange coincidence, but the young lady
who has worked in Mr.. Collins office,
the past year. also had business in
disappeared. 1t is reported that she
has written that she had gone with
Mr.. Collins. and that as soon as Mr.
Collins wife obtained divorce from
him. which she undoubtedly would at
once, they should be married
Mr.. Collins has not lived happily with
his wife for some time and at the last
term of court he brought suit for di-
withdrawn at the last moment
Mr.. Collins was a man of some prop
erty, having drawn some $40, 600 in the
Louisiana lottery some years since
which he has increased by good bust
ness ventures. II is not known how
much of his property he was enabled
to take with him. The town officers OF
Arson think his accounts with the town
are all right. as hasty search of the
books reveals nothing wrong; and par.
ticularly as he turned over to the town
treasurer the day before his disaD-
pearance the sum of 5000 belonging to
the town. Mrs. Collins is the recipient
of much sympathy. She is a highly
respected lady and belongs to one of the
best families in Norridgewock. her old
home.
Some opposition was developing to
the denomination of Mr. Collins as
county attorney. at the coming Repub-
lican county convention, next Tuesday,
though it was generally supposed he
would be renominated.
Now. all is changed Three candi-
dies are already in the field, with a
prospect of more. They are George
W. Cover, Esq, of Skowhegan: Charles
Q. Small, Esq, of Madison, and Will
liam r. Jordan, Esq, of Bingham.
Usually in cases of this kind there
are rumOrs galore of defalcatjons.
crooked accounts. financial embarrass-
ment and the like. This case is not
an exception to the rule, but the Jour
nal does not learn from reliable
source that Mr.. Collins is guilty of
any of the above charges, but on the
contrary, the reporter is given to I'M
derstand that Mr.. Collins finances are
all right; that although attachments
may have been made by creditors. it
is not likely that he owed any con-
siderable sum to all his creditors and
that the attachments are made as
they always are in cases that contain
more or less mystery in order to pro-
tect the creditor.
1t is the opinion of those who are
and have always been on close and
intimate terms with Mr.. Collins that
he has brOOded over domestic troubles
until he has become Respondent and
that his action is due to a desire to
remove from the scene which has
caused his unhappiness. and perhaps
in new field to begin life anew
Mr.. Collins is a decidedly genial ac-
Guaintance, always pleasant and |
agreeable, fond of a joke and quick in /
repartee. lively, energetic and ambi- i
tious, with host of friends among
his professional associates and in |
other business circles. 1t is hoped that
he will recover from his dependency
and return to his home and business,
which needs his attention.
Mr.. Collins was seen, it is supposed
for the last time in these parts by a
Journal reporter at the Waterville
station, last Thursday.