The Washington herald., 1909-10-25

The mystery which has shrouded
the disappearance Of Charles A.
Fox, jr., formerly postmaster at
Beitsville, Prince George County,
who left his home Thursday, June
10, was lifted yesterday afternoon
when a colored man, Ernest Glib
son, accidentally found a hat and
coat near a ditch one-half mile north
of Laurel and fifty yards west of
the Washington and Baltimore
boulevard.
Further investigation by Gibson
disclosed all that was left of the
body of Fox lying in the ditch.
Nothing was there but bones.
The spot where they were
found is a dreary one. On the
same afternoon that Fox left his
home searching party passed
within a few yards of it.
Gibson, greatly excited, went to
Laurel and notified Undertaken
George Z. French, who placed the
bones in a box and brought them
here. He then notified Magistrate
Webb, of High Ridge, Howard
County. The latter at once sum-
moned jury of inquest, which will
meet this evening at 8 O'Clock
at Mr.. French'S establishment.
IDENTIFICATION BY CUFF BUTTONS
Identification was established by means
Of Fox's initials on a pair Of gold cuff
buttons and on the band OF his hat. both
articles being found near the ditch. The
clothing also bore the name OF a clothing
firm in Washington where young Tod
Fox, the dead mans brother. is employed.
In the pockets Of the trousers were
found Is cents and a key believed to be
the key to the Beltsville post-ofice.
As soon as he returned to Laurel. I'm
dertaker French attempted to reach DR..
Charles A. Fox, at Beltsville, father Of
the dead man, but learned that he was
at Fairfax Court House. Va. where he
went TO complete arrangements for the
burial Of his brother, Amos Fox. aged
sixty-seven years, who died there. DR..
Fox only received notice OF the death of
his brother yesterday afternoon, and
shortly afterward was notified by John
Kicks. Of Beltsville. that the remains of
his son had probably been found.
Brother Identifies Clothing.
DR. Fox left his son Tod" to investi-
gate the report. and went to Fairfax not
knowing whether his sons body had been
discovered or not. The dead mans broth
er. with John Kicks and Kennedy Simms.
came &c Laurel and identified the clothing
which young Fox wore when he left home
over four months ago.
The mysterious disappearance Of Fox
created CONSERVATION among the residents
Of Beltsville and vicinity, where he was
well known. DR.. Fox caused a thorough
search TO be made in Washington. Phila-
delphia. Baltimore. and other cities, and
the country for miles around was searched
for weeks after the young mans disap-
pearance
Fox was last seen alive near Laurel
and at the time was suffering from a
fever. The fear OF his family and friends
that this fever unbalanced his mind is
evidently the correct one, and there Is
every indication he wandered into the
bushes where he died
Hidden by Leaves.
No thought Of foul play is entertained.
as what little money he had was found
in his clothes. The spot where the bones
were found is surrounded by thick un-
derbrush. The recent frOsts have taken
of the leaves. and Gibson was in the act
OF gathering some frewood when he
made the discovery
Dr. Fox has always contended that his
sons body would be found somewhere
near his home, as he was firmly con-
vlnced that the fever from which he was
suffering had affected his mind. There
were no business or social entangIe-
ments that could have induced the young
man to go away. and the only theory
left was that his mind had become tenn
porarily unbalanced.
What is left Of the body will prob
ably be brought to Beltsvlle for inter-
ment. 1t is not believed that the coro-
ner's inquest will throw any additional
light upon the manner in which young
Fox came to his death.