The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-01-24

NeuueSudys
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Though police and citizens have
searched since 10 o'clock Wednesday
night, not the slightest trace has been
found of Thomas ]. Ford, whose dis
appearance had been reported to the
police department half hour before
the search commenced
Since o'clock last evening, when
Mr.. Ford left his place of employment
the Northern Pacific freight depot
in East Grand Forks-no living per-
son has so far been found who saw
him. Since the car checker of the
Northern Pacific saw Ford walking
across lots from the East side depot to
De Mers avenue, every trace of him
has been lost.
1t is the most mysterious case local
police officials have ever taken up.
A man, steady in his habits, at all
times temperate, one who never went
away from home without his wife's
knowledge is missing. He had little
money on his person, his domestic
relations were of the most pleasant,
he is we'll fixed financially, holds
responsible position and was in the
best of health. He left home We'd
nesday at noon for his work. During
the afternoon he performed his labors
as usual, leaving for home at the
regular hour. Here is the only place
where he did anything unusual.
Coming from the wareroom into the
office of the freight depot of the
Northern Pacific he went directly out.
The clerk sitting near a window
I. watched to see him pass. Not seeing
him go by the window, the clerk arose
and went to another window. From
this place he saw Ford going across
lots towards De Mers avenue. Every
night Ford bid the members of the
Office force good night, but last even
ing he failed to do so.
Here is where all trace of Ford
becomes lost. 1t is the last time he
was seen SO far as the police have
knowledge of.
The failure of Mr.. Ford to return
promptly at supper time did not wor-
ry Mrs. Ford any, but as the hours
passed and still he failed to come,
she notified her brother in law, John
Durick. This was at o'clock Mr..
Durick at once went to the Northern
Pacific freight depot in Grand Forks,
thinking Ford might have been
detained there. Next he telephoned to
the East Side depot, and was informed
that Ford had left there at the regular
hours. Knowing that Ford was in
the habit of coming across the river
on the Northern Pacific bridge, NJ.
Durick made a search there, both on
the trestle work and on the ice. He
then notified the police.
Searching parties were Immediately
organized. With the aid of torches,
the ground was thoroughly covered.
The regular path from the east bank
Of the river to the west bank was
gone over, but no opening was found.
In no other place was there any OPP
enings. with the exception of the
sewerages along the west bank, into
which it is very improbable that Ford
of their whereabouts.
The fact that Mr.. Ford went to De
Mers avenue from the depot makes
it seem very improbable that he re-
turned to the railroad and crossed that
bridge, and many scout the idea that
he fell from the bridge. At about
O'Clock, a snow train was OH the
bridge, and at first it was supposed
that he had been struck by this and
hurled into the snow below. There
is no evidence, however that such is
the case.
That Mr.. Ford fell into the river in
some unexplained manner is the firm
belief of many of the searchers In
connection with this comes the in
formation that as he was going home
last night at about 6 o'clock, Chief
Lowe heaul cries which he supposed
at the time were cries for help. He
was unable to locate the direction
from which they came. NJ. J. John
son also heard the cries, and together
with another man made an inspection
about the Northern Pacific bridge, from
which the shouts seemed to come.
NJ. ]. Johnsons' statement concern
ing the hearing of the cries is this:
II was going northward down Third
street and when in front Of the Nc
GOwan residence, one block past the
n. p. depot, I was accosted by
stranger who grasped me by the arm
at the same time exclaiming: Did you
hear those cries for help?' I replied