Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-09
ARE BAFFLED BY
SILENCE OF BOY
Mystery Of Emerson A. Tuck
er's Disappearance Grow
ing Deeper.
CLOTHING is RETURNED
Hat and Coat Worn on Departure
Sunday Found In Photograph
Gallery Next Day.

Circumstances involving the disap-
pearance of Emerson A. Tucker grow
more battling with each succeeding
day. The discovery now has been
made that during Sunday night the
hat and coat which the boy wore when
he separated from his younger brother
Lloyd in the afternoon of that day
we're returned to Emesson's photo
graph gallery in the rear of his
fathers printing Office on Second ave-
nue.. The hat and coat were found
Monday morning. A small camera
which Emerson Left in the gallery Sun
day afternoon was missing also. A
theory that is gaining ground is that
the boy Is suffering temporary mental
arrangement, and that he is wander
ing about the country. Unless he has
been supplied clothing, he is coatless
and hatless.
Parting Words with Brother.
Emerson is 10 years of age and the
son of Mr.. and Mrs. N. P. Tucker,
1918 Twenty-ninth street. He has
been employed by his father. With
his brother Lloyd he left home shortly
after the noon hour Sunday. They
visited Emerson's photograph gallery,
and after spending considerable time
there, the latter remarked that he
needed some fresh air and suggested
a walk Lloyd not being similarly dis
posed, Emerson left alone. He gave
instructions to Lloyd in regard to Sc
curing the door of the gallery, leaving
the inference that there was doubt
whether he would return before night
fall. Emerson carried with him when
he left the plate holder belonging TO
a large camera. He sold the camera
4 week ago, for what reason his folks
do not know.
Seen Twice In Afternoon.
Emerson was seen twice Sunday
afternoon subsequent to his separa-
ton from his brother-first in Daven-
FORT. at 4:30, and an hour later at the
corner of Twentieth street and Fourth
avenue. At the latter point he con-
versed several minutes with a printer
formerly employed in his fathers shop.
His actions were not such as to arouse
any suspicion that he was not in his
right mind
What is puzzling me most now"
Mr.. Tucker, the boys father, said to-
day, sis the return of Emerson's coat
and hat to his photograph gallery.
These were carefully hung In the gal
lery, and the door was left unlocked
This left him unprotected for this kind
of weather, and either persons re-
sponsible for his disappearance, in an
effort to mislead us, brought the boys
clothes back, or else Emerson, out of
his mind. wandered into the gallery
during the night and left his clothing.
He was a boy greatly attached to his
family, of exemplary habits and cheer
full disposition, and l simply do not
know what to think We are almost
distracted over the affair"
Had Small Sum of Money.
Emerson had only a small amount
of money with him Sunday. The po-
lice of the three cities have done their
part In searching for the boy, but have
not been able to get any clew to him
after Sunday. In the afternoon of that
day his presence In Davenport was
reported by two Of the members of the
Rock Island high school faculty. They
saw Emerson walking westward on
the Milwaukee railroad tracks. 1t was
an hour later that he was seen in this
city.
Circulars are to be printed bearing
a likeness and description of the miss
ing youth and they viii be distributed
over the country through the police
departments