Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-04-11
OTTO REICH, LEGALLY DEAD FOR
TWO YEARS, RETURNS.

The man whose disappearance from
dis farm in the east part CT Ford
county, in December, 1870, has been
the subject OF constant comment, was
found recently at Liberal and was
brought to Dodge City. He was re
cognized by a former neighbcr, R. L.
Watkins, who remembered that a ne
ward of three hundred dollars was cut
FOR Information about him.
Reich admits his identity. He says
ne left home because he was discou-
ragged. He thought he had been beaten
In he sale Of his farm Of $50 acres
to Chris and John Holland, and be-
cause they threatened him with ar
rest if he did not leave the country.
Reich says he did not receive the
amount the Hollands promised to pay
him for his farm.
He Dropped From Sight.
The disappearance of Otto Reich
Is the greatest mystery Ford county
has had in recent years. He was
about 30 years old at the time of his
disappearance. HI was a quiet, in
dustrious farmer. He was unmarried.
There was every reason for the
court to regard Reich as being dead.
When he left home it was about nine
O'Clock at night. He left the lamp
burning. He lef- his horses and
mules penned up in a corral without
feed or water. He had a number of
checks which he had never cashed.
Every circumstance connected with
the case suggested that he had met
with violence or foul play, Or that he
was dead. Now that he has come
back to life matters are badly mixed
up as to his property.
Neighbors are Provoked.
The farmers down in Wheatland
township, Ford county, who spent
time and money making the search
Tor the missing map, and who for
over a year worked on THE case, are
now highly indignant to think that all
the time the man they were seeking
was quietly hiding in a neighbcring
county.
And they are nightly relieved that
they didn't do anything rash against
the nan whom they openly accused
of having murdered Reich.
At one time, had here been a hot
headed leader it is possible Chris
Holland would have been lynched, for
the sentiment was strongly against
him, and was thought he had gull
ty knowledge of the young bachelor IS
fate.
Fortunately there was no lynching
bee, and a man innocent Of murder
escaped.
Attorneys deem it doubtful if Reich
can recover his property, but he will
make the attempt. Chris Holland, the
Reighbor who appeared with the deed
to the farm after Reich's disappear
ance, decided the property to Thomas
Darcy, administrator of the estate, af-
ter judgment was rendered against
him, Heiiand, fer $1,000. Darcy sold
the land for $1,000 to the bank at Of
ferle, which in turn sold it.
Holland was allowed $1,000 on a
mortgage he held on the farm and
an additional $500 in consideration
of giving up the land. F. Dumont
Smith receivC a $1,000 fee as attor-
hey for the administrator, and a
Dodge City lawyer was paid $500.
Darcy WIS allowed $500 for his SER
vices as administrator, and as much
more was expended as cost of admins
tration. Attorney Smith, under agree
ment with Reich's immediate rela'
tives, a brother in st. Louis and a
sister in Excelsior Springs, Mo-, was
to receive one-third of the amount re
covered. About $4,000 was paid over
20 the brother and sister and attorn
eys say they probably are the only
ones who can be made TO repay. The
lawyers and administrator, it is said
will be allowed to keep the amounts
paid them.
Reich declared today that in add