The Portland daily press., 1898-11-07

here until late in the day when he was
traced TO Portland. Searching parties
followed ON his course, but he eluded
them and his strange dsmeanor led them
TO conclude that he was mentally unbai'
gnced.
Mr.. Nichols accepted ssthe call October
e. He was then taking course at Yale,
New Haven. He stated that he could
begin his duties November 8. and In an
ticipstion of his arrival there was an I'M
usually large attendance at the church
to give him warm welcome, but their
good Intentions counted for naught.
They waited until past the appointed
hour and then the sad facts were ex-
planned and the service was abandoned.
The affair was discussed at considerable
length by some while Others hurried on
to prosecute the search which had already
been instituted.
mir. Nichols arrived from New Haven
last evening at T. 90 and was met at the
station by Charles Tuxbury, parish
ionsr, who escorted him to his homo in
the outskirts of the city ON Main street.
which is the city end of the Portland
road, SO called. This road is the direct
route from this city, through Dunstan
and Cash's Corner to Portland via the
Kerosene Works The preacher was agree
able and In full possession of his mental
faculties last evening and was apparently
in perfect health.
This morning he arose early, before
O'Clock. He attired himself in his week
day suit and came down stairs and there
met MIR. Tuxbury's son. He told the
young man he was going out for a short
walk. This, was the last seen of him by
the family.
Breakfast was delayed half an hour by
his absence. Still. nothing strange was
thought of this. He had taken morning
strolls when he been in Saco as candi-
dste twice before, stopping at Mr.. Tux
bury's on those occasions. After further
delay there arose some apprehensions in
their minds and they began to look
around for him. Mr.. Tuxbury searched
around the premises and shouted, but
was unrewarded by sight or sound of the
Qlt146. 1O BcCRiAS AAOkC a4oA 41C4 etA~>e
harr essed his horse and drove quickly
down town. He stopped at the church
on Main street, near the City hall, and
went in and searched there and also in
the parsonage next door.
AS no sign of the missing man was
found he was greatly puzzled. He drove
hone, thinking that he might have come
in while he was away, but found he had
not. Several of the parishoners were
visited to learn If they had seen him.
They had not and by this time the con-
greaation had arrived and presently 1t
was church time when the explanation
was necessary and their dismissal also.
City Marshal Burns was then notified,
and he went to Mr.. Tuxbury's to make
another Investigation, not knowing but
Mr.. Nichols have made way with him
self. Presently young man named Hill
came along and inquired what they were
after and here they gained their first clue,
as he said he had seen man who resem-
bled the description given of Mr.. Nichols.
This man was walking along the road,
toward Portland. very. fast. This was
early in the morning. When this was
considered they decided to follow it up.
The description was very accurate and
Tailed with MIR. Nichols's appearance.
Along the route they met many and
called at houses where persons had seen
this stranger; walking as II on wager.
Being we'll dressed and the opposite of
a tramp, the people along the road had
taken peculiar notice of him, and more
especially because he was striding along
at suoh gait.
Thus they traced him as far as Pine
Point. Here he had asked If that was
the western division of the Boston Il
Maine, and If he could get to Portland
that way He was told he could and then
he took the railroad for his path. The
searching party turned back here, first
wiring the facts to the Portland officers.
Mr.. Nichols was in Saco twice during
the summer as q candidate for this pas
torate He made most favorable i'm
preston, both in the pulpit and among
the people of the society with whom he
came in contact He Is about 43, and has
a wife and three children. He recently
had pas crate IN Holyoke and studied
hard the last year in the Yale theological
school 1t is thought that hard work
unbalanced his mind. /. The alteration it is
hoped is only temporary for it is most
unfortunate, for him and for the church,
he having just accepted their call. His
family is expected from New Haven this
week and the church and parsonage
have been given extensive alterations in
preparation for new era of energy and
progress in the community. Edwin
Smith and Mr.. Tuxbury were in PORT
land today searching there for Mr.. Mich
oils.