The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-11

the Office and explained to his employ
er that his daughter had died in Kan
sas City and that he must leave at
once. He drew his pay and bought his
ticket for Hutchinson, where he tele-
graphed his uncle in Lawrence that he
would be there on the early morning
train. At midnight that night he was
back In Lyons ready to go to work.
saying that he had found that his
daughter had already been buried and
there was no use going to Kansas City.
His relatives were never able to trace
him from that day until his discovery
short time ago In Omaha. It II
memory on certain matters, and that
at each time his memory would be re-
stored and he would find himself" his
mind would again become a blank on
this subject before he could act. The
shock of learning of his DAUGHTERS
death is thought to have thrown him
"off'' again.
He was regarded as a man Of mys-
terry about the Republican office. He
was the best informed man who had
ever SCARED into print shop.
He had seen better days and could
never account for his present circum-
stances. All Of his recollections were
his more recent life nor of his family.
Things occurring on his travels seemed
to be absolutely clear. He seemed sat
tsfted with his job, and the Republican
force had no thought. that Saturday
night. the 10th Of January. he would
hit the road before Monday morn
ing.
But he was gone-had disappeared az
completely as his other self had dis
appeared from his Colorado office some
four months before. His departure was
hoped to be only temporary until dur
Ing the day the makeup man found
on his last galley the following, evil
IDENTIFY meant for his good-bye:
Give me the long white road. the
gray path of the sea-and the winds
will. and the birds will. and the heart
ache. still in me-"
There was regret in the Republican
Office. Editorially. Clark Conkling
said:
The best wishes Of the Republican
will go with this man-for he tried to
do his best. We hope that he will yet
master himself and be once in the po-
sition he ought to hold in the affairs
Of this world"
Hunting for Himself.
Since January. O'Dell seems to have
wandered through Kansas and Ne
braska hunting for himself" Wher-
ever there were crowds O'Dell went.
He visited newspaper Offices hoping
some itinerant printer would recog
nize him. He stood in the center of
railroad stations when trains were ar
irving and departing, thinking some ac-
Quaintance might see him and speak
to him. He scanned the want ads in
newspapers on the chance that his folks
would advertise for him. He knew he
was lost; he knew he belonged to some
body; he knew he had a past. But he
could not locate himself
A short time ago he was working in
q newspaper office in Clear Lake, Ia.
While there his attention was attracted
by an item in the Publishers Auxil-
larry" signed by &C. o. F. Julesburg,
Colo, asking C. L. F. to communicate
advertisement. 1t appealed to me.
have been hunting for my folks fol
months. Perhaps I am the man you
want My name is F. s. O'Dell.''
Clarence o. Finch recognized the
handwriting as that of his brother
answered that there had been q mis-
take-that he was not the man wanted
This time. however. Clarence Finch
wired the mayor of Clear Lake con-
corning the man and the mayor ex-
pressed himself as satisfied that hi
was Finch's brother. O'Dell, mean.
WHILE had purchased ticket for Jules
burg and had started for that place.
While changing cars at Omaha, hi
again forgot what he was doing anc
appealed to the police Tor assistance
The telegram from his brother was
found in his pocket and he was mott
fed. c. o. Finch came to Omaha or
the first train and Immediately recog'
nized the man as his brother. Frank L
Finch. But Frank did not recognize
him. He looked at him long time
then shook his head, and remarked
II ought to know you. but don't"
Under Treatment.
Frank Finch had been placed undel
the best medical care and doctors ex
press the opinion that his memory will
return slowly but gradually with res
and quiet. He does not yet recognize
his family although a picture of hi
mother seemed to awaken some
thought His brother thinks that recen
financial worries unbalanced his mind
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