The St. Louis Republic., 1903-09-29
Josephine Dow, IA Years Old.
and Lillian Stafford, 16, Leave
Home Saturday Night.
MAY HAVE GONE TO NEW YORK
Relatives Find Letter Stating at
Will Not Do Any Good to
Search for U.s." Signed
by Runaways.

Josephine Dow and Lillian Stafford. IA
and 16 years. old. respectively, living in
Maplewood. disappeared from their homes
Saturday night some time after 80 O'clock.
leaving a letter, stating that they would
not return.
Both are connected with prominent fam
lilies in Maplewood. and their disappear
ance has caused considerable comment.
Although it Is generally supposed that
they started to New York. they had only
s25
Josephine Is the daughter of Mrs. Media
Dow. who lives on Sarah street, east of
Marshall ayerue. Miss Stafford is the
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. W. NJ. Stafford of
No. 2sl9 Summit avenue.
Mrs Dow has had sickness in her home
for more than a month. About a week ago
her next-door neighbors went away on
trip. and, supposing she was crowded
for room, invited her to occupy their
home during their absence. Mrs Dow
could not stay there herself. but she sent
her daughter and Laura Stuart, one of
her chums. to the place every night.
Last Saturday evening. Josephine, as
usual, kissed her mother goodnight and
started to the adjoining house. this time,
however, with Lillian Stafford. After
starting away, she returned and kissed
her mother the second time. which. Mrs
Dow said. was unusual.
She did not suspect anything. even
though the girl appeared excited. TIE
girls locked the door of the adjoining
house, and did not respond when the
Stuart girl knocked until Mrs. Dow had
gone out and called to them Miss Stuart
did not stay long on account of the cool
manner in which she was treated.
SEARCH REVEALS NOTE.
Sunday morning Mrs. Dow did not call
her daughter until 1880 o'clock. Receiv-
ing no response. she went to her bedroom
and found that the bed had not been oc-
cupied.
The Saffords were notified and an inves-
tigation begun. Three boys, who ran
away from their homes In Maplewood
about month ago and stayed ten days in
Kansas City. returning with glowing ac
counts of their experiences. were sent for
and questioned. but professed.ignorance of
the whereabouts of the girls.
The bedroom was searched again and
the following note. signed Josephine"
was found on tope Of a bookcase:
I'm gone beyond your reach, mamma,
and you'll never see me again. 1t will
not do you any good to search for me-"
Mrs. Dow said yesterday that her daugh-
ter had once threatened to run away. hut
she thought nothing Of the threat She
telegraphed to her husband, Charles C.
Dow, from whom she has been separated
for several years, at his home In New
York, and the latter wired back that he
knew nothing OF the matter
It is expected that he will come to ST.
Louis Immediately. Josephine is an only
child. The saffords have younger
daughter
A description OF the girls was sent to
the police. Miss Dow is said to be pretty.
She is feet 3ia inches tall, slender and
has a clear olive complexion. Her cider
companion is s feet inches and has
sallow complexion. Josephine had ex-
pressed desire to visit her father. and
it is thought the girls may have started
for New York.