Milford chronicle., 1912-07-05
SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE
OF JOSEPH EDGAR MAHAN.

When Joseph Edgar Mahan bid Miss
Rachel Hill good night at her home IN
South Milford about midnight Of Tues
day morning, July 2nd, 1912, that was
the last time he was seen by any living
person in Milford so far as now known
When his parents discovered that he
had not returned to his home during
the night, they quietly instituted a
search and inquiry as to his wherea-
bouts as his duties as a student IN
chemistry at The L. d. Caulk Company
Laboratory frequently detained him un
til a very late hour, especially whei
working out some very important Ter
mulas Their alarm grew as the day
advanced, and as no clews developed
the parents became frantic with anxiety.
Many theories were run out, one OF
which was that he might have met with
foul play at the hands of tramps, winch
infest the route over which he was ac-
customed to pass to and from the labor
atory. and on this theory the gates were
lifted and the lake water drained into
the Mispilion River, but when this was
done there was no evidence of the body
on its bottom,
Miss Hill stated that he left her home
about II 30 a m, and so far as she
knew. there was nothing to disturb his
mind, or cause him to wander away.
Miss Hill is a daughter of George I,
Hill and a niece of Miss Anna Postles,
and resides with her father at his home
on South Second Street, South Milford
She is employed in the same laborator-
les as was Mr.. Mahan, and they were
the best of friends. 4
The general belief is, that the y0unas
man broke down under the st.c
studies and work, and that h'S
home, and friends while his mini
arranged. His home life has
been of the most cordial and IL
and his relations with both of his 3
ents was confidential and loving.
On Wednesday morning early a pa.
of friends went in an automobile
Harrington, where they interviewed the i
night operator and ticket agent, and
they are now confident that he went
there and boarded a train, either going
north or south, as the station man is
sure that be noticed Mahan about the
station that morning.
He left his money in a purse u lis z
bureau drawer where was MI fge 4
book with only few miles used 81
it, and his father is certain that .
little if any money with him. - {[
He is a graduate of the MilfoI.
School and the Catholic Universe .
was of the very highest moral cht . :
When he left Milford the FIJI ~
was his des eription, viz HeigF
~ inches. medium light hair
About l4S pounds, stands eHeeC Vi
50 qlsre shoulders, rather large featurlS
egular teeth, smooth shaved genTg
I5n.y address, and wore a blue SCI
,uit. low black shoes with three eyel6N
.rown necktie, white straw hat
Jldc!, band and a red stripe across
inside lining which bore the imprint a
Parker, Bridget & Co., Washington.
-, his scarf pin was a skull and crt
zones with ruby or emerald eyes,
yer watch, a class pin of MilfotA
school and PIN of the Catholics&4t
ity of America -
Any information of his wher
will be of great comfort and - y
lis parents, Mr.. and Mrs S. Edga.
1ahan, Milford, Del.
The young man was highly regardf
n this cOmiaGnity, and had not an eneU
n the world and all investigations sH
hat there was no reason for his sud
departure in any Of his social or
ess relations.
Just as we 90 to press a postal
eceived from young Mr.. Mahan by
ather, which stated that he was " of
nd for his parents not to worry. H.
tated that he did not know where .
1as going, or how he had gotten-t6A,1y
lace where he was then. The card was
lailed inside of an envelope and was
osted on railroad train somewhere
.,,sl- n-1-