The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-23
LEE DODGE is
4 WANDERER
Over the County Looking for
a Job.
HIS MIND Is OERANGED
Over Study Has Made Him a
Mental Wreck.
LEFT YESTERDAY MORNING
Got Up Early and Simply
Walked Away.

Lee Dodge is wandering about the ccun-
try looking for Job. His mind is de-
ranged, caused by overstudy He left
his home OF the West Side about $50
o'clock yesterday morning and has not
been seen by any member Of the family
since, but he was heard Of last night
about ten miles northwest Of this city.
Lee Dodge is the 1s-year-old son Of Mr..
and Mrs. n. Dodge and his home is at
1928 West First street. He is a gradu-
ate of the Wichita High School AMI was
born and raised If this city. His mind
has been slightly deranged for the past
three weeks. He commenced work at the
Wichita Business college about two
months ago and about three weeks ago
ne quit the school and would not tel his
parents what was the matter. he was
placed under a doctors care and il was
stated at the time that he had been
studying too hard and he must have some
other line OF work 10 do. His father is
a farmer and ne Immediately put MIN to
work cutting wood at the home. The
young man was always wanting to 60
away and get job Of some kind. out his
father realizing his falling. would not
consent to *. and yesterday the young
man vent away without his fathers con-
sent. He had otter spoken to his mother
about getting work soma place and had
asked her Why his father old not want
him TO go away. He said at THAI time
that ne would come back about the first
of April, as that was the time his father
would need him and re would then 80 20
work for his father.
Mrs. Dodge did not want him to go
away but her son wanted to do some
thing. Since he quit the Business col
lege his father has been sleeping with
him. as he was afraid the young man
would do something when not in his right
mind. The young man was a great
reader He always had a book or PAPER
in his hand. He was the hardest stud
ent at the school and it was stated last
nisnt that he did in three weeks work
that required most students three months
TO complete. and he die ii thoroughly.
lie studied and read all the time when
no. at work for his father. 1t was stated
that while at the High School he would
come hone IN the afternoon and study
seven and eight hours day all winter.
His parents tried 70 keer him from
studying 50 Blucn but he apparently was
in love with lis books and could not
leave them alone for a moment. \ hen
he quit going TO school 50 suddenly, his
parents thought something was wrong
and q physician was called 10 examine
him. The doctor said that he might have
typhoid fever, as he had studied too hard
and ordered the young man to do some
kind Of work thai would not require
study and something that would take his
studies of his mind. The young man
worked during the day but studied at
night ano his father and mother could
not keep him from it. His father would
burn papers to keep his sor from read
inc them, bat still the young man had
access TO a number OF valuable books
that he read carefully
A reporter for the Eagle called at the
home las night and talked with the FAR
ents of tie young man. Mr.. Dodge said;
Lee was n very studious boy ana it
may be that 7 have contraried aim IN
trying To stop his reading by burning
papers: mat no went away while in a
sort Of trance I could not see my son
study all the time and vet HIS mind fall
ing. 50 1 did ali I could 20 stop H. [ put
MIN u work TO see if that would 10 any
good but he would study at night. We
knew that something was wrong with
him. Just what we did not know. We
thought Il would be typhoid fever. We
first noticed him three weeks ago and
since that time I have been watching
MIN all the time. I slept in The same bed
to take care Of him. especially as he
work and we did not want him 70 20
and I thought that while derlnged he
might get ar and so away IN the night
and 1 watched him closely. But this
morning. he got ahead Of me / go- up
about 5.52 and dressed and then came
down stars and before I went down he
got up and began dressing and IN = few
moments he came down and while I was
building a FIRE he walked out Of the
house and away ard I did Tot realize II
for some time afterward. Il was the
darkest part Of the night and I could
nos tel what WY he had taken. so 1
had 10 wait sntI daylight and then the
police were notified and my brother and
myself started ont to look for him !
round TO trace Of ny son. but my brother
fo-ud where re had stopped about ten
miles northwest of mere and asked Tor
work / VIII - out there II the morn
in- and ser him IL he does not 20 far
ther away did lot have the least idea
le was eoiaE away when he came GOWN.
as he only had his working clothes CA
anG 5ii not take an overCoat. cut he
must have just stared out the WAY he
was. Thlt was what struck me rs pe-
GUITAR did not believe that he had gone
ava-. because - did not take his clothes