The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-02-13
DROPS OFF EARTH
LEAVES NO TRACE
from Mondays Daily.

from Mondays Daily.
Connected with mortgage fore
closure proceedings on a farm in
Nicollet county that were held at 81.
Peter today is the story OF the
strange and mysterious disappear
anee of ]. Morrissey OF Marshalltown
iowa. The man seems to have drop
Il OF the face Of the earth and not
d trace Of him can be found.
Some time ago Morrissey purchased
what is more Familiarity known as
the Book farm. not a great distance
from Nicollet village, subject to a
first and second mortgage. He leased
the farm. making occasional visits
to his holdings and also to this city.
One night in November he departed
from Marshalltown intending to walk
to a junction point where he ex-
pected to board a train that would
lsnd him in Mankato.
Fell on Bridge.
The nigt as dark and Mr.. Nor
rissey couI, ot pick his way clearly.
He was not familiar with the rail-
road track and suddenly he stepped
off a bridge. falling n distance of
fifteen feet. He was rendered un-
conscious and in that condition he
remained all night. lie was not
discovered until nine o'clock the fol-
lowing morning when he was re-
moved to his home where he re-
ceived medical care.
Mr.. Morrissey was confined to his
bed for several weeks and upon his
recovery from the shock he came TO
Mankato. also paying visit 10 his
farm. He returned to Marshalltown,
remained there a week or ten days
and again left there ostensibly for
Mankato. lie did not. so far as can
be learned, come 10 this city.
Whereabouts Are Unknown.
He disappeared and his where
abouts for more than three months
have been n mystery. Mrs. Morrissey
T. at a loss to know what has be-
come OF her husband. 1t Is suspected
that the shock sustained in the fall
from the bridge affected his mind
and he wandered away, while in a
dazed condition.
I Shortly after Mr.. Morrisseys dis
appearance a Nicollet county farmer,
who was acquainted with the fact,
| csme to Mankato and suggested to
parties that Morrissey might have
j been the man whose dead body was
found under a pile Of debris on the
Omaha right-of-way last fall, with
all indications pointing to n murder.
An investigation developed the fact
that the dead man was not Nor.
rissey.
Had Paid No interest.
I In view OF the fact that Morrisser
/ had paid no interest on the mort
| cages and there were other compiled
tions. II became necessary for the
parties who sold him the farm to
I foreclose, which proceedings were
carried out today.
Mr.. Morrissey was director Of the
census in Iowa in 1910. He was once
prominent in affairs In his section
and was well thought Of by every
body who knew him. He was about
sixty years Of age.
From Mondays Daily.
III III, "a
ed citizen of Mankato. died shortl,
after noon today at his residence.
1927 Clark street His had been
long and painful Illness, but The end
was peaceful and quiet.
/ Mr.. Swenson was born in Sweden
! December q. 1884, and was conse-
quently seventy.nine years. one
month and thirteen days Of age.
In 1854 he came with his parents
TO America and settled In Waconi7.
Carver county, Minnesota, where he
lived for ten years. In 1864 he en-
/ listed In the Fourth Minnesota regi-
ment and served until the close of
the Civil War.
In 1886 he came 10 Blue Earth
county, as one Of the pioneers, set.
Ting i'm Lincoln township where he
took a homestead In this township
he held important offices. serving as
township clerk for many years. lie
also served as Sergeant-at-ATms In
the state Legislature of 1ss2.i8S3.
In 1901 he moved with his family
to Mankato. where the remaining
years Of his life have been spent.
Mr.. Swenson was man Of strong
religious principles. shortly after
coming to this country he was con.
verted and united with the Baptist
church in Waconia. As Inomber
of the Lincoln Baptist church he
held many responsible positions
During his residence in Mankato he
has been a valued member of the
First Baptist church.
He was twice married. To the
| first marriage three children were
born of whom II. T. Swenson of
Butte, Mont, and Mrs Alice Kimbla
of this city survive. His wife Mrs.
Andrew Swensen Of this city. AMI
seven children. Mrs. o. +. AkersN of
Lake Crystal. Lorinda Swenson OF
Mankato, Oscar f. Swenson OF 81.
.