Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-11-11
VIM. Bacon of Thayer Distracted
Over Disappearance Of Spouse.
MAY BE EITHER DEMENTED OR Move
Dispatch from creston States that
Mrs. Ida Bacon Left Thayer osten-
sibly for La Sale, ILL.,, but Did Not
Go There-A Man in the Case.
[From Saturdays Daily.l


Either demented Or in love, Mrs. Ida
Bacon, the wife of William Bacon, a
farmer residing near Thayer, has left
her home and gone to parts unknown.
A dispatch from Creston states that
her husband, in an effort to locate her,
traced her to Ottumwa and Des
Moines. and to other places in the
state, but that he could not find her.
Although he may have come to this
city, the police here We're not notified
by him Of his wife's disappearance and
it is supposed that he remained here
only short time, going from Ottum-
wa to Des Moines. The Creston dis
patch is as follows: The people of
Thayer, small town located in the
eastern portion of Union county, on
the main line of the Burlington road,
are undergoing intense excitement be-
cause of the disappearance week ago
Saturday of Mrs. Ida Bacon, wife of
William Bacon, wealthy farmer liv-
ing half a mile north of the village.
Mrs. Bacon has a brother living at
La Sale, and for some time previous
to her disappearance she had planned
to visit him. In fact. when she kissed
her husband good-by at the depot the
day she left. there is where she said
she was going, and accordingly a
ticket had been purchased to that
point. Mr.. Bacon shays he thought
at the time that her trunk was unusual
ly heavy, but gave the matter only
passing notice.
The first intimation the husband had
that she had not reached her destina-
ton was a letter, written by his wife
and mailed to Des Moines, in which
she stated she had but SIS when she
left Thayer and would go as far as
that would carry her, and then would
die among strangers. She told him
not to go to any expense hunting for
her, because search would be utterly
useless. Said there would be letters
on her person that would tell who she
was, where she lived and also in
structions that the remains be sent
home.
Mrs. Bacon is a medium sized wom-
an, dark eyes dark hair, plump in
form and very handsome Two years
ago an only son died, at which time
her grief was so intense that it
was feared she would be driven to
insanity. She was very ardent in
of the foremost women of the commu-
nifty. Since the death of her son she
has been able to discuss little else
than something pertaining to him. A
great number Of her intimate friends
are firm in the belief that reason, be.
cause of much grieviing, had left the
throne and in this demented condi-
ton she has wandered away, no one
knows where.
But there is another feature that
figures in the mystery. A United
Brethren minister, the Rev. Mr.. High
by name, entered that village year
or two ago, he being engaged in min
isterial work. He had no family,
hence was given shelter and food at
the Bacon home. From the very first,
so it is stated by people who live
there. it was noticed that there was
manifest admiration one for the other
and when the Rev. Mr.. High went
away he kept up correspondence.
Even during the past summer several
letters were received from him he
being located at some point in Okla
homa. There are a few who believe
Mrs Bacon, because of the affection
between them, had been persuaded to
leave her home for him.
Detectives have been sent out in
every direction and Mr.. Bacon has
gone to Ottumwa, to which city he
traced his wife, and to Des Moines
and other places but the mystery only
deepens with each succeeding day. AS
a result he Is almost frantic. He says
If she is demented and wandered away
he would spend his fortune in search
of her but if she mas been persuaded
to leave him on account OF some other
man he would not spend cent hunt
ing for her.