Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-12
Evening Bulletin, July 10th.

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, July 10th.
Harry f. johnson. the real estate
man who disar psared from this city in
February last, has been heard from.
He 10 on his way to the Cape Nome
gold fields Of Alaska. In a letter to
his wife johnson explained the ciroum-
stances Of his going and told Of bis
vague plans for the future.
johnson lived with his wife and son
in a pretty cottage at Camp Hill, Mont
gomeIy county. He was private score
tary to John Stafford, the builder, and
apparently had everything to make life
happy. On February 14th he drew
$500 from tho North western Bank at
Ridge and Girsrd avenues. After leav-
ing the bank he was not seen or heard
from until Mrs. johnson received
letter recently from him dated Seattle,
Washington.
Prior to his visit to the bank, John
son had complained of not feeling we'll.
In his letter ne said he had no more
idea of going nway when he drew the
money than of flying. He intended to
use part Of the sum to purchase horse
and buggy for his wife, and the balance
to make an Investment in building
operation,
As be walked from the bank, John
son said he was possessed by an unoon-
trolable desire to leave the city. The
desire became stronger and stronger,
and finally, hardly conscious Of what
he was doing he went to Broad street
station and bought ticxet for Chi
oago. The train left short time after.
The journey to Chicago did not
awaken him to the fact Of what he was
doing. He said his mind seemed to be
controlled by some unknown power that
would not permit HIM to think loai-
cally. He was mindful that his family
would woliy about him, but the
thought did not move him. He stayed
day in Chicago, and then went to
Savannah, Ga. From that seaport be
travelled West again and stopped at
Cincinnati. In spasmodio jumps he
travelled from that place to st. Louis,
then tc Chicago, Denver and San Fran
cisco.
Then be realized what he had been
doing and started to write to his wife
and inform her Of his whereabouts. Be-
foro the letter was finished the truant
real estate man was seized with another
spell Of forgetfulness and went off on a
jaunt 10 Seattle. There, the hustle of
Adventures seeking transportation to
the gold fields was contagious. He re-
solved to join the prospectors He met
q friend, Piof. Won Crosker, who las
connected with the United States Sur
vey Department, and through his
efforts was nearly persuaded to return
to Philadelphia. The gold fever was
on him, however, and Prof. Won
Crosker's wishes did not prevail. The
| a. H..
CISCO, was completed and forwarded to
his father.in-lsw, DIR. Alfred Layman
of No. 1880 North Sixteenth street
power Of attorney to transact his bust
ness for him and t, transfer certain
shares of loan association STOCK that
were about to mature. He said he was
going to Cape Nome and would moi
write again until he had landed in
Alaska and had more definite idea oil
where he would locate. lie wanted
some OF the money renlized on the loan
association stock to stnke him for his
gold hunt.
1 When johnson disappeared. Detective
Long of the Central Station was de.
tailed to locate the missing man. lie
traced him to Chicago, but lost the
trail because of the mans cratic move.
ment1. Had he been q fugitive from
Justice, the detective said he could moi
have adopted better way to cover his
tracks. Through Prof. Won Crosker,
Detective Long learned Of johnson
being In Seattle, about the same time
that Mrs. johnson heard from him.
Now that the man has been located,
the detectives have given up the hunt
Mrs. johnson is now living with rela
tives 10 New Jersey. She was nearly
Frustrated by the long absence an6
silence of her husband aud feared thai
he had been murdered. Since hearing
from him, her condition has improved
and she is hopeful that his quest fol
gold will be successful now that he !!
in Eel Dorado. But IL discouragemen
sends him home quicker, she will b
satisfied Just as well.
DIR. Layman attributes his son. in
laws freakish jaunt to brain flag. TIL,
peculiar mental strain under which hl
was Influenced to go away was trough
on by anxiety and oyerwork.
"For weeks prior to his departur,
Mr.. johnson had been laboring hare
with mental problems. said DIR. Lay
man, this afternoon. HE was over
worked. His mind was wonder flu
one for the perception of detail, and b,
simply put on n load too heavy to bear
Nature cried out for relief and the maj
yielded to the unconscious demand TO
change Of scene and life. think tn,
trip West was most beneficial to him
although, Of course, We would hav,
! liked il better had he not taken it 81
abruptly"
FORMERLY A wILMINaToNIAN.
Hasru q Iahnann naridad Ii, thia ait,