Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-29
R. M. Marshall Returns to OF
tumwa Last Evening.
TELLS PECULIAR STORY.
Talks to a Courier Representative of
His Strange Journey-Does Not
Seem to Remember What He Did
While Wandering Thru Country.
From Tuesdays Daily.

After mysterious absence OF more
than ten days, R. M. Marshall, buyer
for the Ottumwa Poultry company, re-
turned to his home in this city last
night, with a story that reads more
like an Arabian Night fable, than that
of the doings of human being IN
the closing of the nineteenth century.
When seen this morning Mr.. Mar
shall detailed to a Courier representa-
tive the mysterious happenings that
occurred to him during his absence.
According to Marshall's story he
went to Eldon Friday, November, 10,
to buy poultry for the firm with which
he is connected. After receiving this
poultry and paying for it, Mr.. Marshall
placed the balance of the money ne
had with him in his pocket, and went
to lunch counter near the depot, had
a lunch and then went outside and sat
down on the depot platform to await
the arrival of the train for Ottumwa
Found Himself in Burlington.
1t is from this period that Mr..
Marshall has no recollection of what
took place, for the next thing he re-
members was that he was sitting in
a hotel in Burlington, his mind having
been blank for the previous twenty
four hours. When he came to- he
was penniless, his shoes had been
worn out, his feet were cut and bleed
ing with only thought that he had
done something that was a crime in
the eyes of his fellow men, and fear
full that his family would be disgraced
by having their husband and father
arrested for crime he did not COM
nit
Took Long Walk.
Mr.. Marshall Immediately struck
out upon the railroad track, walking
all of Saturday night and until late in
the evening of Sunday, when be
reached the home of friend, William
Mcmillan, in Keokuk,
After detailing the history of his
strange appearance in that place and
the causes that led up to it, Mr.. Mar
shall was given bed and allowed to
sleep that night, when he asked Mr.
McMillan's advice in regard to re-
turning home. He was told to write
and tell his wife what had occurred
but not to return home until he knew
what had been done in reference to
his disappearance with the balance OF
his employers money.
Rode in Box Car.
Accordingly that evening Mr.. Mar
shall went to the Keokuk & Western
railroad yards in the outskirts of keo-
kuk, and climbing into car of Ties
rode to Sedan, where he "disembark-
ed" and after writing to his wife and
telling her he was alive, he proceeded
to secure employment in the mines
near that place. Sunday when Mrs
Marshall received the letter telling
his whereabouts, she enlisted the as
sistance of neighbor, James vii
liams, who went to Sedan yesterday
morning and brought Mr.. Marshall
home with him last night.
Thinks He Was Dragged.
Mr.. Marshall shows the effects OF
having been under great mental
strain, and his head is still giving him
considerable pain and he is unable tc
concentrate his thoughts He has nc
idea, he says, what could have happen
ed to him, but he thinks he was drug
ged while in Eldon and placed upon a
train going to Fairfield where he was
put off, and that in his ramblings he
wandered into Burlington where be
came to his senses
Local Parties Suspected.
1t is said that couple of vel
known thieves from this city are be
ing looked after pretty closely by tho
police, and that an arrest may take
place in day or two. Mr.. Marshal
will return to his duties tonight, COINS
to work as night Waterman at the
Ottumwa Poultry company. His fee
still giving him so much trouble that
he is unable to return to his former
position as yet Mr.. Marshall says he
is going to repay all the money he los
as he feels keenly the position il
which he has been placed, and that he
will do all in his power to clear up Ii,
suspicious circumstances which sur
round the affair.
| ANOTHER NEW TOWN.