Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-10-23
.RELA TIVES SEARCH
FOR MISSING MAN
HARVEY WILKINS, PROSPEROUS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, FAR !
n MER DISAPPEARS
Wife Is Frustrated by Shock and, 1t Is
Feared, May Attempt to Take Her
Own Life--W. c. Hottie and D. A.
Augustine Seek Information Here.

Searching for Harvey Wilkins, a
prosperous Washington county farmer
who disappeared from his home last
Saturday morningSs W. G. Hottie and
3D., A. Augustine arrived in this city
last evening. Both Hottie and Angus
tine are relatives of Wilkins and re-
side in the same vicinity. Wilkins
home Is near Brighton.
Much mystery surrounds the disap-
pearance of Mn Wilkins as there
seems to be no motive which could
have actuated him further than, it IS
thought, he may have been suffering
from a temporary mental derange-
tment. According to story told re-
preventative of the Courier last even.
ing by the relatives of Mr.. Wilkins ne
has not been very strong mentally for
some time.
1t is said that Wilkins had note
for $40 In Westchester bank which
recently became due; He allowed the
banker, holding the note, to notify him
twice before he went to the bank to
pay 1t.
Last Saturday morning Wilkins left
his home and drove to Westchester,
telling his wife he would return before
noon. Arriving in Westminster he
paid the note with check, drawn Oh
a. bank in Washington, where he had
been banking for some time, but where
1T happened at that time he had 10
funds.
Writes to His Wife.
The check was honored by the West
chester bank and Wilkins received
his note. Placing the cancelled in
strument in his pocket he got into his
buggy and drove to Sigourney, where
he wrote letter to his wife. In this
letter he told her that he was in ST.
courtney and was going farther" No
reason was assigned in the letter for
his strange actions. 1t is said that
his home life was unusually happy and
that any money troubles which might
have affected his mind were purely
imaginative, as he had considerable
wealth and property and was assured
of the backing Of several of the
wealthiest men in Washington coun-
ty.
The idea of imaginative money
troubles is suggested because of him
drawing check on bank where he
had no funds. Since the letter from
Sigourney nothing has been heard Of
him, nor has 1t been possible to find
any trace of the missing man. His
wife is almost Frustrated by the shock
and it is, feared by her relatives that
while 1aboring under this mental
strain she may even be tempted to
take her own life. She is being
watched night and dayito prevent any
such attempt.
Description of Wilkins.
Wilkins is man SO years of age,
about six feet in height, rather awlS-
ward appearing and shows the effects
of illness. His complexion is light and
he wore, when last seen. thin light
colored mustache. When he left home
he wore a dark suit of clothes and a
black hat. The buggy which he was
driving was nearly new with black
running gear and attached to it was a
tall, slim, rather ''leggy" bay mare
Wilkins is said to be peculiar in man
ner, being man who will talk of his
own affairs to stranger and is easily
led into convers. ton concerning such
matters.
Any information that can be given
concerning his present whereabouts
or anything that will throw anw light
on his movements since he left Sigour-
ney will be greatly appreciated by his
relatives Such information should be
communicated to the local police au-
thorities or to ]. w. Teeter, sheriff
of Washington county.