The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-02-08
FAHLBERG MYSTERY is
MODIFIED BY TALE OF
MANS DISAPPEARANCE
Sensation at Centervlle Gives
Place to Conviction That
Farmer Played Hoax.

Centerville. S. d, Feb. 5.-The peopl
Of Centeryille and vicinity were startleu
odav nv tho reuort that David ram
berg mvsteriously missing from ms
home since the night of January z, has
been located alive and well, in North
akota. This report has not been au-
thenticated, but following SO Closely
as it does the withdrawal of the SAUL
reward offered by the Fahlberg broth
ers for the return OF the body of DAVID
Fahlberg, living or dead, and their re-
fusal to give a reason for TINS Will
drawaI, the people in general give
much credence to the report.
David Fahlberg was last seen as ne
left town for his home, where he lived
alone, six miles south of here. on the
flight of January 2. Three days later,
neighbors who had noticed the deserted
of the place, went oVer to
investigate and found what would ma
turally be considered evidence or a
crime. A cap belonging to Fahlberg
containing holes as though from a shot
gun, and with blood and hair inside,
was found lying near the barn door,
also a half opened pocket knife. Ills
gray team was lOuIlu pal iii ANN.
messed: the buggy was drawn outside
and the robes placed in readiness for a
drive. The horses and all Of the stock
were in a half starved condition, and
from many clews found in one way
or another, everything indicated an at
tempted theft of the team n buggy,
a probable interruption by the sudden
appearance of David Fahlberg. fol-
lowed by the shooting and the disposal
of the body. Scarcely q day has passed
since that parties have not been search
ing for the missing body, at times sew
eral hundred participating in the hunt,
but no trace of it has ever been found.
Other Significant Facts.
However, by reason of the excellent
work and thorough sitting of all the
evidence in the case rendered by States
Attorney Peter Olson, and Sheriff Par
fridge, both of Clay county, while in
day last, a number of facts We're
brought to light to s~ubstantiate the
theory that young Fahlberg left home
of his W free will or while some men
tai arrangement.
Well Supplied With Money.
Whereas, formerly, David Fahlberg
was supposed to have but little ready
cash to leave with, If such were his
desire, it is 10Y known that in the
ldllGl pdll u HoNSIIlDCi IN SoId q oel
of cattle in Chicago and hat only a
part OF the amount has been accounted
for. Also, not many weeks & his
relatives gave him $500 to apply on a
loan, but it is now learned that the
money was not paid on the loan,
u has been used for other purposes.
When Fahlberg was in town on the
evening of his disappearance he tried
at a number of stores to buy a sum-
mer cap. He also made several re-
marks which have al! seemed to come
to pass, n the question in the minds
of many is, did he wish to suggest the
IDEAS he wanted to nave the people be-
lieve after his disappearance? For in
stance, the night before he disappeared
he said to a neighbor that he believed
certain enemies Of his would try to
steal his gray team some night. AT an
other time as he was sharpening his
pocket knife he made the remark that
he always felt safe with hat knife in
his pocket for it made a good Weapon.
Again he said some of the men said
they would like TO shoot his hat off for
wearing a derby in the winter.
All of these remarks, together with
the fact that he has assumed heavy
financial obligations, and especially
since the Fahlberg family refuse to
give any reason for the withdrawal of
the reward offered leaves the impress
sion in the minds of many thai young
Fahlberg Is still living.