Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-12
NJ AN RETURNS HOME
M. P. Postlewait Appears as Mys
teriously as he Disappeared.
WAS IN An UNCONSCIOUS CONDITION
Resains His Mind This Morning, But
Is Unable to Account for His
Strange Actions-Believed to Have
Wandered Away.

AS mysteriously as he disappeared,
M. P. Postlewait, 300 Ferry street,
made his appearance at his home last
night about 1880 o'clock. He was I'M
conscious and in pitiable condition.
He was nearly dead from cold and ex,
posure. He was tenderly carried into
Barton called. All that medical aid
could do was done, but during all the
time that he was being attended, and
up until nearly l O'Clock he was not
able to talk in Q coherent manner.
This morning he had somewhat recov
cred and was able to talk, but close
questioning failed to reveal the cause
of his absence, where he had been or
what he had done. A careful examin-
alton by DR.. Barton failed to reveal
any marks of violence On his person,
and the case remains still deep mys-
terry.
The Disappearance.
AS stated in yesterdays Courier Mr..
PoStlewait arose at the usual
time Tuesday morning and
started for his work in Grayestown.
He had been ailiug somewhat the day
before, and was slightly feverish.
However, he appeared all right Tues
day morning, and left nome in his usu-
al spirits. This was the last seen or
heard Of him until about 1880 last
night. His family had become nearly
distracted over his unexplained alb
sence, and although searching parties
had been organized and had searched
the entire town they were unsuccess-
full.
Found Unconscious.
About 1880 o'clock Mrs. Postlewait
and her five children together with a
few neighbors were sitting III the
house hoping to hear from the absent
father and husband. Suddenly there
was sound as though something was
scratching at the rear door. The
watchers listened eagerly, and soon
the sound was repeated. Mrs. Postle
wait ran to the door, and opening it
looked out. At first, however, she
could see nothing, and called for a
| light With the use of a lamp, the
yard in the rear of the house was eX-
amined, and there lying in the snow,
unconscious, was the missing man.
Carried Into the House.
| He was quickly picked up and car
ried into the house and DR.. Barton
summoned. He was nearly frozen and
gave the appearance of having been
exposed for some time to the weather.
AS he lay upon the bed, the watchers
silently waited for him to give some
explanation of his absence but they
were doomed to disappointment. Once
or twice during the evening he mutter-
ed in an incoherent manner Now that
you have all my money, let me go
| Further than this he was unable t.
talk, and this morning while he is cor
scious, he says he does not remembe
anything at all, and he is utterl
oblivious of all happenings after he left
home Tuesday morning.
Foul Play Suspected.
His mutterings while unconscious
at first led those present to think tha
he had been the victim of foul pla
Mrs. Powell, one of the neighbor
men, said that she heard carrie
drive through the alley about the Ii
thai Mr. Postlewait was found n
| his idea gave rise to another thoug
of foul play. Captain Gallagher wa
on the scene about 10 o'clock an
made careful examination of the vi
entity where Mrs. Powell claimed
] she heard the carriage drive. but he