The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-05-14
From Monday. Daily.

Not clew has been obtained to
the whereabouts of II. j. Ledbeter, who
disappeared from his home in Limetown
on Wednesday morning. Searching par
ties on Saturday afternoon penetrated
the woods near the farm and for con-
siderable distance all around it but
they were unsuccessful in their en-
deavors TO secure trace of the missing
man. Not a track was found, and the
mystery of Ledbeter's disappearance is
unsolved.
Worried Over Financial Matters.
up and an action was started by a
St Paul firm to force one collection.
That Mr.. Ledbeter was worried over
financial matters there is no doubt. He
had no reason to worry over any
thing else His domestic relations were
most pleasant. He bore a most excel
lent reputation; had no bad habits,
and was devoted to his wife and family.
The only new development in the
case is the apparent attempt of Mr..
Ledbeter to shoot himself week
ago Sunday. He was prevented from
CARRYING out his design by his hired
man. Frank Smith, who entered the
house just as Ledbeter was making sus-
picious movements with Il shotgun.
Smith seized the weapon and handed
ii to Mrs Ledbeter who removed the
cartridges from the barrels and hid
them From that time ON Mrs. Led
better watched her husband closely. and
when on "Wednesday morning he did not
come to his breakfast with his usual
punctuality, she naturally became APP
prehensive Search for him was imme
datelv begun. Mrs. Ledbeter herself
rushed to the barn. The rear door was
OMEN, something rather unusual and
she at once made up her mind that
AIR Ledbeter had left the building by
that door Had he emerged from the
barn on the side toward the house
she certainly would have observed him,
rs she was seated by the Kitchen win
dow watching for him. a search of
the premises and the creek Il short
distance away was made at once, but
no trace of Mr. Ledbeter was discovered
Mrs. Ledbeter stated to The Free Press
Yesterday that her husband could not
have been gone more than fifteen min
utes before the hunt for him was insti-
tuted
Discussed Affairs With Wife.
Mr.. Ledbeter made it practice to
discuss his business affairs with his
wife. He sought her advice frequent
ly. OF late he had exhibited signs of
mental strain, but on the day prior
to his disappearance he appeared to be
more iovial than he had been for some
time past. He slept well Tuesday night
and in the morning acted like him.
self. He talked over with Smith what
should be done Oh the farm during
the day, and gave instructions to the
hired man in his usual busness-li like
manner. This was Just before Ledbeter
went into the barn to milk the cows
and perform other morning chores
Ledbeter made the remark to Smith
that be was sorry that he had sold
one of his horses, but beyond that
there was nothing said by him that
could have indicated that he was i'm
any other than pleasant frame of
mind
The unsuccessful store venture at
Winthrop was the cause of much of Mr..
Ledbeter's worry. He placed the store
III charge of brother in law. Later
the stock was removed to Redwood Falls
and disposed of but the receipts did
not amount to enough TO pay off the
indebtedness. 1t is understood that
Mr.. Ledbeter disposed of some prop
erty in Redwood Falls in order to OBJ
tain money with which to meet the
incoming bills, but the accounts piled
Mr.. Ledbeter has the reputation of
being an honest man, to whom debt
was nightmare. This suit caused
Mr.. Ledbeter great deal of WORRY.
Went Away in Working Clothes.
Mr.. Ledbeter was a Woodworking
man. He never was idle. He was good
to his family and well thought of by
his neighbors. When he left home last
Wednesday morning, Mr.. Ledbeter wore
a ragged jacket of blue material, blue
oNeialls, a blue cap and pair of No.
3 cruiser shoes, with heavy soles. He
Is fifty-three years of age. but does
not look to be that old. He is blind
III the left eye, and has small scar
over that eye. He is about five feet.
four inches in height and strongly
built. He had i'll his possession between
$40 and $50 This money was i'm a
yellow colored pocketbook that bore
his name.
Mr. Ledbeter purchased the McTighe
farm Il year ago OH March 4. He was
resident of Redwood Falls before
moving to Limetown. Mrs. Ledbeter
has communicated daily with friends in
Redwood Falls. hoping that she might
locate her husband in that city
Mrs. Ledbeter today authorized re-
q