The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-08

Dusty. dirty and unshaven since he
disappeared Stegeneier returned home
unable to explain his absence He
was taken into the home through the
back door, where he was greeted by
his wife and children.
Stegemeier burst into tears when
he saw his family.
'I am hungry" he said.
He was given water. but on a ply
sician's order was put to bed with.
cut food.
Almost overcome. Mrs. Stegemeier
had 10 be parted from her husband
as she greeted him at the door At
times he appeared TO recognize sur.
rouudings and smiled.
Wife's Prayers Answered
i've been praying every day for
his return sobbed Mrs. Stegemeier.
Neighbors and friends joined in the
welcome to Stegemeier. Scores of
messages were received.
Stegemeier was found near Fishers
Station. sixteen miles north OF In
dianapolis, on information given by
Mrs. Mary Anderson, a school teacher,
that a man answering his description
was seen walking on the Allisonville
Road.
a hurry call soon took Richard Jr.,
the son. and Carl and Tony Brandt,
friends Of the family, toward Fishers
Station. At the same time, police and
the home were notified
The son. the first to reach his father.
shook him and started to lead him
away. Stegemeier recognized his son
and then the Brandts.
Weeps at Reunion
He could not speak He wept as
he was led TO an auto and hurried
home.
Physicians attending Mr.. Stegemeier
said he was suffering from a tempo
rary lapse Of memory and would need
absolute rest
I've are going to send father and
mother to Florida for a complete rest
as soon as he can stand the trip" the
son said.
The elder Stegemeier disappeared
from his restaurant in the Apollo
Theater building late Tuesday. He
told the cashier he was going to a
physicians office.
Before leaving he had withdrawn
$3.50 from the Fletcher American
Bank, which led the family to believe
he had left the city.
Temporary Collapse
THE outcome was just as I ex-
pected. 1t was nothing more nor less
than a temporary mental collapse due
to fathers overwork," Richard Siege
meier Jr. said. For a long time l
have tried to get father to put aside
all work and responsibility and take
a good long vacation and rest. How
ever. he never would agree to do so.
AS soon as he RECEIVERS mother and
he will go to Florida for several
months. Father is interested in a
Florida land company and owns
farm there
Nobody at the Stegemeier home was
happier than Henry. 10, Stegemeier's
youngest son. With a fuzzy Collie
pup in his arms he walked about the
house all smiles and finally took his
station on the porch swing, where
more than a dozen of his playmates
found him.
Concerned Over Mother
His great concern was about his
mother.
81 think she is getting along fine"
he said. "Shc is awfully nervous, but
just think how much worse she would
have been If they had not brought
father home"
Mrs. Mary Anderson. the teacher at
Ft. Benjamin Harrison. who gave in
formation leading TO the finding Of
Stegemeier, told Richard Stegemeier
Jr when she called him ON the tel
ephone that she felt sure of the
identity of the man she had seen on
the road, as she had eaten frequently
It the Stegemeier restaurant and had
seen him there.
At first Mrs. Anderson refused to
give her name saying she did not
wish to mix in other peoples affairs,
Richard Stegemeier, Jr.. said
The fact that the missing man was
not seen for so long after his disap-
pearance led some members of the
family to believe he might have
passed greater part Of the time in
vacant house near where he was
found.