The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-11-12
farentS Now Believe The Girl
Is In Mansfield
Ind Police Of That City Try
ing To Locate Her There
(Mansfield Shield)

The search for Miss Ruth Crist, 10,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Crist OF Zanesville, who disappeared
early In September while enroute to
this city, has been taken up by the
American Civic Reform Union and the
local police department has been ask
ed to assist in finding out whether or
aot she ever arrived in this city. The
local police made an effort some time
ago osecure information regarding
this girl but no trace of her could be
found In this city.
Members of the girls family have
been quietly searching for the girl
since her disappearance, but without
success and they have now appealed
70 the Reform Union for assistance.
Rev. A. 8. Gregg of Cleveland, agent of
the Reform Union, has Investigated the
case and states that to him 1t looks
very much like case of white slavery.
Rev. Gregg discusses the case and
tolls OF the girls disappearance as
fo1lows:
Miss Crist was offered position as
ee00nstrator by wholesale coffee
house which would require her to visit
towns In Southern Ohio Her parents
consented on condition that she would
r1turn every other day.
''Her first trip was to Columbus,
wAore she stayed longer than was ex.
Dsoted. and her father brought her
hsme After promising faithfully not
N stay no long the next time the girl
wan allowed to go to Dunkirk and
Freaericktown. o.
"Eariy In September she disappear.
- from Mt. Vernon. The day she dis.
-avpeared she was frequently seen
With a man who gave his name as Bo'
Smith, but who to all appearances was
y Jew.
Bob Smith was about five feet
-otght inches tall and weighed about
las pounds. His hair was dark and
Ats skin fair, and he had very heavy
beard which showed clearly through
eis skin when clean shaven. He was
well dressed and seemed to be about
20 or 80 years OF age.
"'Smith' and the girl were In Mt
Vernon on September 3 and 4, and on
the 4th Miss Crist took the B. e. O.
train at midnight for Mansfield, alone
Smith disappeared at the same
cline. Miss Crist left her handbag and
an unpaid hotel blll but no letter OF
explanation. II has since developed
that on her first trip 90 Columbus Miss
Crist met man by the name of ]. ]
Manning. Whether Manning and Smith
are the same man We do not know
''Miss Crist IL about five feet three
inches tall. rather slender and weigh,
about i05 pounds. She has light brown
hair and hazel eyes, with freckles or
her face. Her hands are small, with
unusually long, slender fingers. She
wore navy blue serge coat suit. small
elack velvet turban. with two quill,
on one side, She IL unassuming and
rather retiring In disposition, but YER,
@uick and bright.
my opinion Is that Smith made love
10 the girl and coaxed her to run away
but the manner OF her leaving Mt. Yer
non indicates that something is wrong
Our method OF tracing such cases
Ia to watch the relatives and friends
Of the missing girl. for she will become
homesick and write. This will enable
as to locate the town, and notify the
police and federal authorities. We had
one case like this which ended by find
ing the girl In Vancouver. b. C. Ths
sirl was brought home and the pro
curess sent to prison. Another case
originating In Columbus ended in Bos
con. and another in Birmingham, Ala.