Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1919-09-11
SKELETON OF TALMADGE
PULVER is DISCOVERED
Found by Fern Caterers on
Canaan Mountain
Saturday

Fern gatherers working on the
crest of Canaan mountain Saturday
found under ledge the skeleton
of a man. The report spread that
the bones were those of Philemon W..
Johnson, former town treasurer OF
Norfolk, who mysteriously disap-
peared about years ago, after writ
ing a note stating that his dead body
would be found on Canaan mountain.
First Selectman A. P. Curtiss of
Norfolk assembled the mountain and
identified the skeleton by means of
the clothing and shape of the head
as that of Talmadge Pulver, about
rs years old, who strangely disap-
peared from his home here about
seven years ago. Mr.. Curtiss had
known Pulver for about 40 years.
Beside the skeleton was an empty
four-ounce bottle which had contain
ed carbolic acid, indicating that Pull
yer committed suicide, after strolling
up the mountainside. His widow,
Myra B. Pulver, resides in Winsted.
Mr.. Pulver disappeared from his
home here on April 22, 1912. He was
rs years Of age, had been a driver
of one of Rains bakery wagons for a
number of years, until about three
months before his disappearance,
when his route was given to Eugene
Williams. Mr.. Pulver went to his
son Harry's home in Danbury, for
few weeks visit, but became uneasy
and returned to Canaan within a few
days, respondent over the loss of his
position. He had told Harry that if
he failed to find something to do he
would make way with himself"
Harry communicated this remark to
his mother, here, and warned her to
keep close watch on the old gentle
man, which she did, though he made
no attempt to carry out his threat
and afterward assured Harry that
he had no further intention of MAX
ing way with himself.
A story at that time that he had
procured a bottle of carbolic acid,
and that Mrs. Pulver had found it
and taken it from him, was denied by
Mrs. Pulver.
Mr.. Pulver was reengaged by the
bakery concern and seemed delighted
over the fact, planning to go to
work the day he disappeared. Re-
turning early he informed Mrs. Pull
yer that he would have to get up
early to feed the horses and Mrs.
Pulver stated that she heard him
leave the house about o'clock. Not
coming in to breakfast, boarder
was sent to call him, when it was
found he was not at the barn and
the horses had not been fed. Mrs.
Pulver then investigated and found
that he had dressed himself in his old
clothes and left in his room a purse
containing something over $50, and
his spectacles. He had taken his,
watch. AS no trace of him could be
found about the place inquiries were
set on foot and general alarm Civ
en- out. Word was sent to his broth
er, John Fl. Pulver, in Copake, and
other people out of town to whom it
was thought possibly he might have
gone, but no trace of the missing
man could be discovered. III
Searching parties were organized
mere anu III EdSC Cdnddn ana
Village, and every isolated barn,
swamp and patch of woods thorough
ly secured, without result. Harry
Pulver, the son, came up from Dan
bury to- take part in the search, and
w. H. Thompson, brother of Mrs
I1,ulver, came over with his automo-
bile and carried several searchers out
to the outskirts.
AS has now been proven, the only
reliable clue advanced at that time,
was the report of Alvin Bartlett that
he hadsseen an old man resembling
Mr.. Pulver walking toward Canaan
Mountain early that morning.
Harry Pulver Of Danbury claimed
the remains which he identified as
those of his father by means of
watch and other articles. Funeral
services will be held on Thursday
afternoon with burial in the East Ca
naan cemetery. '