The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-02-08
MYSTERY IS
MODIFIED BY TALE Of
MANS TEMPERANCE
Sensation at Centerville Gives
Place to Conviction That
Farmer Played Hoax.

Cen~terville. s. D., Feb. 5.-The people
Of Centerville and vicinity were startled
today by the report that David FAIL
berg, mysteriously missing from his
home since the night Of January 2, has
been located, alive and well. in North
Dakota. This report has not been au-
t~henticated, but following SO closely
as it does the withdrawal Of the $500
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 this with
drawal, the people in general give
much credence to h report.
David Fahlberg was last seen as he
left town for his home, where he lived
alone, six miles south Of here. on the
night Of January 2. Three days later,
%neighbors who had noticed the deserted
appearance Of the place, went over to
investigate and found what would ma
turally be considered evidence Of a
crime. A cap belonging to Fahlbers
containing holes as though from a shot
gun and with blood M hair inside,
was found lying neal the barn door.
also q half opened pocket knife. His
gray team was found partially har-
hC6bCu, khC pu6ky wdS oAa"h ouNoAAu
and the robes placed in readiness for a
drive. The horses and all Of the stock
were In q half starved condition, and
from many clews found In one way
or another, everything indicated an at
tempted theft Of the team and buggy.
a probable interruption by the sudden
appearance OF David Fahlberg. fol-
lowed by the shooting and the disposal
OF the body. Scarcely a 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 n 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
the city and vicinity Sunday n Mon
day last, q number Of facts were
brought to light to ~substantiate the
theory hat young Fahlberg left homo
of his W free will or while some men,
Well Supplied With Money.
Whereas, formerly, David Fahlberg
was supposed to have but little ready
cash to leave with. II such were his
desire, 1t is now known that In the
latter part of November he sold a load
Of cattle in Chicago and that only a
,pdIl VI Tile dIIlOuHS Hon bCCh oCSouAitCu
for. Also, not many weeks age his
relatives gave him $500 to apply on a
loan, but 1t il now learned that the
money was not paid On the loan,
but 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 car He also made several re-
marks which have all seemed to come
to pass, and the question in the minds
of many is, did he wish to suggest the
ideas he wanted to have 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 that knife In
his pocket for 1t made a good weapon.
Again he said some Of the men said
they would like to shoot his hat of for
wearing q. derby In the winter.
All of these remarks, together with
the fact that he has assumed heavy
financial obligations, n 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 shat young
Fahlberg is still living.