Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-08
RUNAWAY BOY.
Ernest Meader, Son of Bag
gagemaster Meader.
Seventeen Years Old and Started out
to see the World.
Took Train at Winthrop, Monday anu
Cannot Be Traced.

William +. Meadcr, assistant bag
garemastcr at the Augusta station. is
feeling anxious over the whereabouts
of his eldest son. Ernest Meader. The
boy is II years old and disappeared
from home on last Monday morning.
The family reside in HalloWell. The
Oldest son was working in Giddens
box factory He came home at about
s o'clock Monday forenoon, when he
knew that both of his parents would
be absent; sent his younger brother
out to play, and then appears to have
calmly made preparations for depart
ure. His best clothes and complete
shift OF Undertaking disappeared with
him. There were dress suit cases and
valises handy, but he didn't take one
of them-probaby because they could
be dentified-preferring to make up a
bundle in a paper.
Shortly before noon, his mother
learned that he had gone, and at once
notified her husband here at Augusta
The telegraph was called into requisi
ton, and inquiries made at trains and
from the electric railway conductors.
The family made no general talk about
the disappearance, and the people of
the vicinity have in only a few in
stances learned it as yet.
The Boy has been traced to Winthrop.
He came up to Augusta and took the
first car after nine o'clock for Win
throp. At Winthrop he did not buy a
ticket but was seen to board the west
bound train at 1910 o'clock A. M, and
there the trail stops. Whether he
went into Lewiston or, in some other
direction is not known.
The boy is II years old, feet 5
inches tall. weighs about $50 pounds, is
of sandy complexion with light brown
eyes, has slight squint in left eye,
and wore gold frame riding bow spec
tacles. He is inclined to be close
mouthed, but when he does speak, ut
ters his words snappily and nervously.
His shoulders have Il slight stoop. He
went away wearing d suit of gray
green MIXTURE black fedora hat, and
carrying black overcoat described as
a winter overcoat with raw edge.
He graduated from Hallowell High
school in the class of 1902. He worked
at one time in Gannett's Publishing
House in this city, has worked nearly
Il year on the Goodyear welts in John
son Brothers shoe factory, besides his
recent employment in the shoe fac
tory. He is an ingenious chap wa h Il
fOndness for mechanics. and is likely
to seek job in any kind of factory.
He is also an excellent penman and
quick at figures, and may turn to that
skill as a means of livelihood.
The only known reason for him
leaving home is a desire to see the
world which he has often expressed and
received parental advice to not be in
a hurry about it. He told some of the
other boys, some time since, that he
thought of going to England and see
ing the country, and that he could get
d chance to work his passage on a
cattle steamer, but that talk was pcs
sibly a blind as to his real intentions.
His father is anxious as to the
whereabouts of Ernest, but says that
there is no occasion for worry as the
boy is bright, and will keep his wits
about him, and is fully capable of TAX
ing care of himself. Mrs. Meader,
however. does not feel so calm over her
sons cscapade in running away. She
is nearly Frustrated over the boys dis
appearance.