The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-18
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Arthur Wagner Is Reported To
Be at Peabody, Kan.
His Disappearance, However. Is
Still a Mystery.

Eskridge Kan, Nov. 1s.-It was re-
ported this afternoon that Mrs Arthur
WAGNER had received a telegram
from her husband, missing since
Thursday afternoon, stating that he
would be home soon. The message,
sent from Peabody, Kan, gave no
details and the mystery as to why
Wagner left after responding to a
call from a stranded motorist. re-
mains as deep as ever.
Eskridge, Kan, Nov. 1S-This com
nlunity is confronted with a mystery
that excels anything that has hap
pened in this county since the Rufe
King case at Maple Hill centered the
attention of the outside world upon
Wabaunsee county.
Arthur Wagner. a farmer living
two miles east Of Chalk. a grocery
store fifteen miles southwest of this
place, suddenly disappeared Thursday
afternoon. and the stranger who had
gone with him. No trace Of the Ford
car. the stranger and Mr.. Wagner
has been found by officials.
A stranger driving a new Ford car
appeared at the home of Clyde Haas,
fifteen n fles southwest Of Eskridge,
about $40 O'Clock Thursday morning
and asked Haas to call Wagner on
the phone to come and fix his car,
which he said had developed a knock.
Wagner. accompanied by his
brother-iu-law. Albert Rowley, went
to fix the car. The stranger told the
men they would not be able to fix the
car there, and they had better take it
70 the farm of Mr. Wagner, a short
distance away Sir Wagner is
farmer who repairs cars
Both Had Disappeared.
Rowley went back to the Wagner
farm to get a chain to tow the car
back to the farm He was gone fif-
teen minutes. and when he returned
the car. stranger and Wagner had
disappeared
Officials in all the adjoining towns
have been informed of the mystery.
and searching parties have gone over
all the surrounding county to no avail.
A posse. headed by Sheriff Ray
mond Baker, secured timber along
the roadside until daybreak, but no
trace Of the car, stranger nor Wagner
has been found.
Friday morning farmers again went
over the ground near where the car
was apparently stalled Men who
went south to the santa Ee trail. eight
miles distant. aroused a couple of
tourists sleeping by the roadside who
said "A roadster answering the de-
scription OF the one seen in front OF
the Haas home, passed them headed1
cast and driving extremely fast, about
3 o'clock in the morning
No Motive Is Found.
The officers have no cluR on which
TO work except tread of tires of the
Ford No motive can be found FOR
kidnapping Wagner Wagner was
dressed in greasy Overalls. having just
come from his shop, and had no
money with him.
Mrs. Wagner who has two small
children. is almost frantic.
Officers and others are at a COM
plete loss to account for the disap-
pearance of Wagner. Some have adj
vanced the theory that the car was a
stolen one. that Wagner succeeded in
fixing it befoEe the return of Rowley,
and the stranger, fearing that Wagon
er might tip off authorities. decided tic
carry him along.
Wagner was "a years old, and altho
he is not wealthy. has some means.
Rowley. his assistant, is s years old.
Mr.. Wagoner's mother is said to live
in California. The home life of
Wagner was pleasant. according to
Mrs. Wagner. his wife, and neigh
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