Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-10-02

Waterloo, Oct. 2-After an absence
from home OF four weeks, during which
time his parents have mourned him az
dead, Ed Gregerson, % years of age and
fweak-minded, was captured at LaPorte
City last Friday and was taken back to
his parents at Lake Mills yesterday by
Constable S. "A. Turner.
Readers of the Times Republican will
no doubt remember having read about
a month ago Of the very mysterious dis
appearance of this young man. His
folks are Scandinavians and reside on
farm near Lake Mills and on the bank
of a lake three miles long. Shortly after
his disappearance the neighbors and
friends begana search of the lake and
OF the surrounding country. This was
prosecuted with great vigor because the
parents of the boy were nearly prostrat-
ed with grief.
Shortly after the young man was
missed the police authorities had cards
printed, bearing a good description of
the young man. and sent to the different
cities Of the state. His disappearance
was as complete as tho the earth had
opened and swallowed the missing son.
The parents did all in their power to.
search out the son, and had about given
him up as dead and his body past re-
cOyery, when news came from LaPorte
last Friday night that a boy answering
the description on the card had been ta-
ken in tow by the marshal. The news
was conveyed to Constable Turner of
Lake Mills, who spent Sunday in the
city visiting his brothers-in- law, f.. f.
Phelps and Thomas Hileman, and went
to LaPorte Monday morning and
brought the missing young man up on
the 1852 passenger, leaving with him for
Lake Mills last night.
Friday afternoon a haggard and
weary looking young man Went into one
4 of the grocery stores in LaPGrte and
purchased a quarters worth of cheese.
He sat down and ate every particle of
lit with a ravenous appetite which
aroused the curiosity of those in the
store at the time. His appearance, too,
aroused suspicion, and he was reported
to the city marshal Fortunately, he
had received one of the cards sent out
q. month ago by the Lake Mills authori-
ties and the description on the card
| fitted the young mans case so COM
pietely that he was restrained and the
Lake Mills authorities We're conferred
With.
Lake Mills is in Winnebago county,
about 100 miles from Waterloo. The
THEORY is that he walked all the way.
Isubsisting on corn and such fruits and
vegetables as he could find. He must
have Travelled in the night and hid away
in the day, as no one can be found who
saw him from the time of his dsap-
pearance near Lake Mills to his cap
ture at LaPorte.
When he arrived with the officer yes
lterday morning he looked tattered and
lhaggard. He Wore common overalls and
blouse and the legs of his overalls We're
lplastered with dry mud, showing that
he had walked in the rain. His face
was sunken and haggard and strag-
Cling beard of several weeks growth
covered his face. His mind is very
weak and he did not seem to be espe-
cially SOLICITORS about his condition or
surroundings. The case is one TO pro-
yoke the sympathy of all.
In conversation with the constable he
says the young man does not talk very
freely, but says he is willing now to go
and live with his mother again.