The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-08
DISAPPEARANCE OF
PRATT CITY MAN
Temporarily Unbalanced J, M.
Gryder Leaves Home
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
Has Been Gone sinse Early Saturday
Morning, July 2s-Wife and Fam
lily In Destitute Cir
stances.

: A deep and seemingly insoulable mys-
terry has developed at Pratt City in the
unaccountable disappearance of ]. NJ.
Gryder, well-known structural iron
worker of that place, who left his home
early Saturday morning. July Is, and up
to late hour yesterday had not been
seen or heard from. When he left the
house he told his wife that he would rel
turn IN short time.
Mr. Gryder resided on the Southside,
near the tracks of the Frisco railroad, and
up TO about a week before his disappear
anee was engaged in his trade at Ensley.
where he was regarded as one of the most
skillful Of workmen. He was entrusted
with a responsible position by his en-
ployer. It is said that at the time he
left his place in Ensley he had become in
volved in a quarrel with some of his fell
low workman, and being, as later de-
velopments showed, in an irritable and
perhaps irresponsible condition of mind.
he had been unable to control his temper
and had gone to his employer and de-
manded his pay and left the works He
later became sorry for his conduct and
in talking to w. ]. OUTLAW, the proprietor
of a general store from which he was ac-
customed to purchase his family supplies,
he expressed deep regret for his hasty
action. On the following day he passed
the home Of Mr.. Outlaw. which is only a
few blocks from his own, and told Mr..
Outlaws wife that he had had an under
g will
that he would start back to work on the
following Monday This was on Friday,
July "a.
Arose Early and Left.
The next morning he got up at about
o'clock to give a drink of water to one
of his little children. Without going back
to bed again he dressed himself In his
working clothes, and remarking to his
wife that he was going out for a moment
to look after some small matter and that
he would return in a short time he left
the house. From that time on no one
has been found who ever saw him.
So far, all inquiries and search have
failed to locate linn. The Pratt City and
the Birmingham police department were
notified of the disappearance. but they re-
missing man. Mr. Gryder came origi-
nally from Charleston. S. c., where he has
a brother living, and is was thought that
he might have gone back there. A letter
just received from the brother however,
states that such is not the case and cuts
off hope to the anxious wife from this
source.
The real solution to the occurrence
seems to be in the statement of Mr.. Out
law, and the description which he gives
of Mr.. Gryder. He describes him as being
a square built man of about 40 years of
age, in the nelghborhood of feet or 8
inches in height and weighing something
like 100 pounds. The most distinguishing
mark abount his person is large bald
spot on the back of his head caused from
his being scalded in some way when
child. According to Mr.. Gryder's family
physician this old injury is the cause of
the missing mans strange conduct, the
brain having been affected by the hot
water. Several times in the course of his
life Mr. Gryder has suffered from brief at
taeks of mental alteration, and while
under their influence has been guilty of
irresponsible acts. On one occasion, in
Ohio, he is said to have wandered off in
a somewhat similar manner and to have
proceeded about 100 miles across the coun-
try on foot before he was finally over
taken by friends.
Honorable and Kindly.
When normal he is described as being
man of unusual kindness OF nature.
He is said to have been the soul of honor
and always to have treated his family
with great tenderness and affection. 1t
was thought that he had recovereS <;,om
his unfortunate malady up to a short time
before his disappearance.
Mr. Gryder earned good wages and al
ways provided we'll for his family. His
sudden leave taking has left his wife in a
somewhat destitute condition, however, as
he left no money in tho house. and the
woman has three small children to look