The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-01-18
FAHLBERC MYSTERY
DEEPENS AS CLUES
PROVE RESULTLESS
Rumors Suggesting Young Man
Planned to Disappear are
Without Foundation.

mors which are afioat to the effect that
David Fahlberg planned to disappear
from his home for parts unknown,
either because he wished to escape
marriage with his affianced bride or
because OF financial embarrassment.
have nothing whatever to substantiate
them. Both the family of Miss Emily
Anderson, the girl he was to have
married, and the family Of David FAIL
berg emphatically deny that there has
eve been any trouble between the
young people. The wedding day
was set for February 13. The pho
tograph Of David Fahlberg, which the
picture in The Tribune of January 10
is the original. was found at his home
In a folder addressed to Miss Emily
Anderson, B~eresford, s. D., together
with a note which stated that he would
be over to see her on wednesday,
the day following h night on which
he was last seen.
A careful inquiry into his financial
condition reveals the fact that he q
no cause for worry. He lived on a farm
owned by his mother, on which were
good buildings. 1t is well stocked and
well cared for in every way. The FAIL
berg family are considered well to do
and in a few months, when the younger
brother becomes of age, David would
have come into his share of the estate,
which would have made him absolutely
independent. -.
The Brothers Statement.
In an interview held with his brother.
he states that David's best suit and
shoes are at home, also his derby hat
and coon skin overcoat. He q that
David must have worn at the time OF
his disappearance an old pair OF shoes,
g pair Of blue bib overalls, a very heavy
dark blue woolen shirt and q black
o%vercoat. SO much for facts that would
seem to do away with the theory that
he had left his home Intentionally.
For q plain statement of facts, which
would strongly point to foul play, are
the following:
David Fahlberg drove into Centerville
Tuesday evening, January 2, purchased
some groceries and was seen around
town till after 10 o'clock. when he
started for home. On reaching hons
he had embarrassed his team, which
he drove that night and taken his gro
ceries into the house, leaving them
on the kitchen table, where also were
found dishes used for a lunch after re-
turning home, as some OF the canned
goods, purchased that day had been
opened. His coon skin coat and black
derby hat were hung In their usual
place and the suit worn that day was
found hanging over the foot Of his
ONu. 1is u ehAu WINS N>hN
lying on the floor by his bed. The suit
he had purchased for his approaching
wedding was also in it's proper place.
Human Blood on Cap.
The evidence goes to show that some
time during the night young Fahlberg
was awakened by a noise at the barn.
He naturally got up hurriedly. put on
the first clothing he found, and rushed
to the barn. On reaching there he evil
IDENTIFY found some one in the act OF
Harvesting his best team. A fight must
have followed and young Fahlberg re-
ceived a wound fired from q shotgun
at close range. Three days passed by
when neighborS were attracted by the
deserted appearance OF the place. The
barn door was wide open and the col
lars were found upon his best team.
One harness was lying on the barn
floor Just behind the team. One horse
had a bride on. Just outside of the
barn door Fahlberg's cap was found.
A hole nearly two inches in diameter
had been torn through the right side
Just back Of the ear, a few scattering
shot coming out through the upper
part. The inside of the cap was soaked
with blood and hair which corresponded
to the color Of Fahlberg's. The ear was
sent to Vermillion and Sioux City for
chemical examination and returned
with the report that both h blood
and hair came from a human being.
Near the cap on the ground was found
q large pocket knife partly opened, be-
longing to Fahlberg. Not far from the
barn was found a catalog which he
had gotten from a hardware merchant
on the date OF his disappearance. One
end Of this catalog contained a few
drops Of blood and bloody finger prints
were found on the over. The catalog
must evidently have been in his coat
pocket and dropped out. On the east
side of his barn was standing his
buggy, the blankets having been care
fully arrangfied and thrown over the
dashboard; the whip was in It's socket
and the buggy had all the appearances
of having just been prepared for q
drive.
When considering the evidence 1t is
difficult for one to imagine that he left
home of his own free will. That the
gunshot wound proved fatal and that
the body was disposed of by some UNI
known party, is generally believed.