Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-03-25
ORAYTON'S NOT GONE,
Groundless Rumors as to the
Former Island Master
Mechanic.
srILL AT HIS DAVENPORT HOME.

use Oaosee Sensation In the Two Cities
-Circumstsnees Of His ResiEnstion Of
HIS Long Held Position ut the Rock Isl.
asd Ar,enaI.
Rumors were in circulation yester.
day afternoon and las. evening to
the effect shat j. H. Drayton, the
iong time master mechanic at Rock
Island arsenal. had mysteriously dis
appeared from his home in Daven-
poit Tor pats unknown TO all save
his son, whom he had commissioned
to prJvi'e him with money from
funds he had left in the bank. as he
might write for the same. As MIR.
Dray ton resided in Rock Island for
yesre, moving to Davenport compar-
ahVe!y recently, the reports
concerning him occasioned as
much OF q sensation her as in
the city across the river, and among
all his cid time associates Of the
island employees in both places. Hap
PLY, however, the announcements Of
his unexplained departure are all
without warrant. He is still in
Davenport, and is as greatly eur.
prised as anyone could be over the
news affecting him. As will be re-
membered, Mr.. Drayton recently re.
signed the position at Rock Isl.
and arsenal, which he had held
for SO many years. He did
SO at the suggestion OF Com
mandant S. Z. Blunt, who found that
owing to his advanced years his prac.
tical utility had been Impaired and
who desired TO sDpplant him with a
more active man. Capt. Blunt. how
ever, recognizing the value Of Mr..
Drayton's long experience and ser.
vice at the island, provided another
position for him, where, although at
somewhat reduced salary, he might
still be OF use to the government and
at the same time not lose his iden.
tity with the post. These, Capt.
Blunt explains, are the circum stances
OF the charge, but after being re.
lieved Of the duties Of master me.
chanic. Mr. Drayton asked for leave
OF absence on the ground Of being in
disposed. The leave was readily
granted, the understanding being
that he was ct liberty to return
whenever he was SO inclined.
May Go to California.
Mr.. Drayton has talked for some
time OF going to southern California
Tor the benefit Of his health, bat he
has made no secre. OF such purpose,
and it may be tina. he will find con.
ditions such as to induce him to re.
main there permanently. MIR. Dray
ton has been SO years in the employ
OF Rock Islaud arsenal, and his un-
falling kindness ard courtesy
made him many friends among the
men. Mr.. Drayton said last evening
that he had not thought OF going
away until he had disposed OF his
home in Davenport. and then he pro.
posed being accompanied by his
family to California. He said fur.
sher: 81 have been employed on
the island for 80 years. IS years Of
which l was master mechanic. As
regards my quitting ever there. it is
true, and it Is true that it was at the
request Of Capt. Blunt. but the facts
sre these: / am getting along in
years, and Capt. Blunt wanted q
younger man in my place. but while
be wanted that, he had at the same
time made me good offer in another
department which accepted atleas,
for the present. The captain, as 9
matter Of friendship, offered me
leave Of absence to 90 to California,
aud should not like il there, could