The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-05-30
Former Washburn Man Missing
Since May 10th
Clyde Ballard Last Seen at Ryan Hotel
at st. Paul. Had
Been iii.

We publish herewith an ac-
count from the Thief River
Falls, MINI. newspaper telling
of the mysterious disappearance
of Clyde e. Ballard, banker at
Grygla, former resident of this
city.
Mr.. Ballard was at one time
employed as bookkeeper for the
Northwestern Fuel company in
this city. He was married to
Miss Dora Kearns, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Tim Kearns, and
the family have been residing
in Northern Minnesota for some
years.
For some time Mr.. Ballard has
been i'll and doctors had advised
that he take a much needed rest.
1t was while at St. Paul on busi-
ness that he mysteriously dis
appeared and although every
thing possible has been done to
locate him, nothing has been
heard from him tince May 10th.
We publish herewith the
article:
C. E. Ballard, president of the
Farmers State bank of Grygla, has
been missing since May 10 and no
trace of his whereabouts or news of
what has happened to hiFn can I've
found.
On Friday, May 10, Mr.. Ballard
accompanied Mrs. Ballard to Thief
River Falls where the latter was to
remain as a visitor at the home of
her sister, Mrs. L. E. Gessell, while
her husband continued his journey
to St. Paul on business. Mr.. Ballard
expected to be gone but few days.
When a week went by without his
showing up his relatives and friends
became alarmed for his safety and
began making inquiries.
His return to the bank was very
important as he had left the book
keeper, Miss Alice Hawkins, in
charge, and she was unable longer to
carry on the business without his
presence.
On May l6 Grygla was visited by
a state bank examiner who went
over the accounts of Mr.. Ballard and
found that these were all right in
every way. Otto Bremner of St.
Paul, vice-president of the bank.
was notified and he arrived to take
charge of affairs. He also reported
that nothing was apparently wrong
with the funds of the institution and
was at loss to account for the
presidents S continued absence.
Mr.. Ballard had stated before
leaving that if wanted he might be
found at the Hotel Ryan, St. Paul.
Telephone communication with that
hotel revealed the fact that he had
registered there on the 10th. The
clerk remembered having him called
for the key to his room on the after
noon of that day, stating that he
would take nap. That was the
last seen of him.
His overcoat and grip were found
in the room he had occupied, the
latter containing certain moltgate
papers which he had taken with him
to dispose of in the cities. Nothing
unusual was noted with regard to
the belongings found, everything in
dicating that the owner expected to
be gone but short time.
Mr.. Ballard had not been in good
health since the fire which destroyed
a number of buildings in Grygla last
December. At that time he entered
the bank building for the purpose OF
securing certain books or papers and
it is feared that the heat or excite
ment may have affected him. On
the advice of his physician he went
to Wisconsin in April for the purpose
of getting away from his work for
awhile and he only returned to
Grygla about ten days before his