Evening times-Republican., 1913-12-17
aum|M z avILLE coLev GAYS he 10
NOT MissiNo CLEAR LAKE
MAN.
VICTIM or prhAMlTlNa
IN IDAHO MYsrlFiEs
ceiby, Found Attending College in
West, FaiIs 70 Recognize Old Frisnds
-Thinks parsnts Wsrs Drowned in
Galveston Flood - ceIby's Mother
Frustrated.

Mason City, Dec. 1.-THE student
found In the Washington Utah college
and identified az to Summerville Colby,
who was supposed to be dead. denies
his identity.
Colby was born and reared at Clear
Lake, which was his home up to six
or seven years ago, when he and his
mother. DR.. Margaret Colby. left for
the west to take up.a claim. Summer
vile Colby had wife and son from
whom he parted at the time Of leaving
here. or shortly prior. His schooling
was carried on in this vicinity. and
many people are watching the outcome
of the strange case in the west, fol-
lowing the dynamiting Of Colby's cabin.
in which, until the man with the blank
mind turned up, he was thought to have
died. The latest chapter in the strange
case Is told in the following telegram
from Washington
Pullman, Wash, Dec. 1.-THE most
remarkable case Of lost identity ever
brought to the attention Of the in
fstructors in psychology at the State
college is that of q man about IS years
old, intelligent and of studious inclina-
tions, who enrolled in the civil engine
ering department at the beginning Of
the college year. He gives the name Of
William Summerville, but the college
authorities have no proof that that Is
his true name.
Every recollection Of his past life Is
blotted from his memory with the ex-
ception Of three items.
Three Things He Remembers.
"Summerville says that he remem-
bers clearly that his parents were
drowned in the Galveston Hood. Besides
this he has g faint remembrance cf see
ing Maude Adams. the actress. and OF
being a member OF surveying crew
in central Washington some time ago.
"An examination Of Summerville by
the college professors in psychology
shows that he has an acquaintance of
surveying instruments but that he Is
tics essential to the practical surveyor.
"He has proved an industrious stu
dent and spends much spare time in the
college library reading works on history
and science. He seems familiar with
text books on botony and trigonom-
etry.
"Summerville is tall and we'll built
and speaks with southern accent. He
is paying his expenses at the college by
day labor on the new college building.
Resident Of Idaho.
Spokane, Wash, Dec. 15.-The lost
identity subject at the Washington
state college Is believed to be William
summerville CODY. Of Ramsdall. Ida
ho, near st. Mary's who was given up
for dead after the cabin on his home
stead was dynamited Sept. 5.
Last Wednesday friends Of Colby
who reside in Washington first learn
ed Of the student William summerville,
from q man who claimed positively to
have identified him. Further inquiry
has served to practically convince
them that the missing homesteade1
and the student are the same person,
tho the student has refused to recog-
nize his old acquaintances.
zone parallel in the case that is cited
is that Colby had learned something OF
surveying while in the logging camps.
and the student also showed knoWl-
edge along this line.
1.-The mother Of Colby, DR.. Margaret
Colby, who also has a homestead near
Ramsdell is reported seriously Ill. Her
son always showed great attachment
for his mother, but no letters have been
received by her since his disappearance.
So positive were friends that Colby was
killed in the explosion that they were
preparing to start proceedings to col
lect his insurance.
"Dr. Max r. Charlton of this city.
who knew Colby. went to Pullman
few days ago to identify the student.
He refused on his return to tell wheth-
er his Identification is positive, saying:
II have mo statement to make. do
not wish to discuss the case"