The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-31
CHURCHILLISCO CONE
Well known Kansan Escapes
From Sanitarium.
Wife and Friends Leave to As
sIst In Search.
FEAR THAT HE is DEAD
Has Been Missing From Insti-
tuition Week.
Was President OF Kansas State
Board of Agriculture.
Now Suffering from a Severe
Mental Disorder.

Dodge City, Kan, Dec. 31.-Captain
John H. Churchill who was under
treatment for mental trouble has dis
appeared from the sanitarium at Pal
rnyra, Wisconsin, and no trace of him
has been found.
Mrs. Churchill and her friends in
Dodge City who knew of the disappear
ance were apprised of the fact only
after the sanitarfum authorities had
made diligent search and failed to dis
covered until some hours afterward.
The sanitarium authorities reported
10 Mrs. Churchill that her husband
had disappeared from the sanitarium a
week ago and that they have been un-
able to find any trace of him.
Captain Churchill left the sanitarium
at night without waking the attend
ants and his disappearance was not dis
covered unit lsome hours afterward.
The officers of the Palmyra institu-
ton have had a large force of at
tendants at work hunting for the
missing man with instructions to
spare no expense, but so far all eff
forts to locate the missing man have
been fruitless.
Mrs. Churchill is on her way to
Palmyra to urge the greatest haste in
the search and to assure herself that
every possible effort is being made to
md her husband.
Dr. T. L. McCarty. the Churchill
family physician. who has followed
the sad case of the captain since he
was taken sick several months ago,
accompanied Mrs. Churchill to Pal
myra-
Captain Churchill is a member of
the Masonic lodge at Dodge City and
NJ he 81, 0f IA
The Palmyra Masons have interested
themselves in the search for the miss
iig man and are giving every assist
ance possible to the work.
The Masons of Dodge City have ar
ranged to have G M. Beeson. repre-
sentative in the Kansas legislature,
represent the Masons of Captain
Churchill's home town. Mr.. Beeson
viii leave Dodge City tonight to as
sist in the search in the vicinity of
The friends of Captain Churchill
and his physician, Dr. McCarty, fear
that unless the missing man is found
Immediately that he will not be
found alive, as he is not in condition
TO care for himself nor to withstand
exposure.
Captain Churchill is mentally derang-
ed He suffered nervous collapse sew
eral months ago. Mrs. Churchill and
he. upon the advice of DR.. McCarty,
made an extended trip last summer on
the great lakes.
While Captain Churchill was on the
trip he seemed well and free from men
tai abseTatiOn. On his return to his
home. Morning Glory ranch, near here
he suffered a relapse and it was found
necessary to place him in an institution
where he could be cared for as his con-
ditiOn demanded and be given proper
madical attention.
Captain Churchill was taken to the
Palmyra sanitarium His enforced STAY
there caused him much worry and he
was constantly bemoaning the fact
that he was separated from his wife
and child
II is supposed that Captain Churchill
escaped from the institution in hopes
of making his way to his home. He
left the canitarium last Saturday night
Christmas eve and has been missing
just a week.
Captain Churchill is president of the
Kansas state board of agriculture and
one of the most prominent men in
western Kansas.