The Disappearance of Joseph Schafer (date unknown)
No. 248 - Uncited clippings from the "Neva Murphy Hubbard Collection" of
Beth Rengers Talken, 1998.
The St. Louis papers had several stories last week concerning the disapperance of
Joseph SCHAFER, who was born and reared in this vicinity. He was a son of the late Joseph
SCHAFER, Sr., who formerly lived on the farm east of Troy now occupied by J.A. EVERSMEYER.
The young man had been a medical student in St. Louis University the past four years and
was to have graduated at the last commencement, but failed to get his degree by reason of
not passing on his final examinations. He was married over a month ago to a Miss HUGHES in
St. Louis.
On Saturday, June 29, he disappeared from home and from his usual associations. At first
the search for him was made quietly by relatives of his wife; afterwards, when he could
not be located, the police were appealed to and news of his disappearance was given
through the papers. It was supposed that his disappearance was due to a temporary
aberration of mind brought on by brooding over his failure on examinations. It was also
related that he witnessed an automobile accident several weeks ago in which a brother of
his wife was crushed to death. An earnest effort to locate the missing man was made for
three or four days last week without success.
On Saturday last, however, an acquaintance of SCHAFER saw him and reported at once to his
relatvies. He was at Wellston, a St. Louis suburb, and said he had walked there from St.
Charles. His mind was an apparent blank, so far as his wanderings were concerned and he
was in a pitiable condition, dirty, unshaven and unkempt when recognized by his friend.
His wife's father was soon telephoned for and took the young man in charge. He is being
cared for at the home of a friend of the family and it is hoped that thorough rest and
perfect quiet will soon restore him to a normal condition.
The friends in his boyhood home will hope to hear of his speedy and complete recovery.
Note regarding clippings from the "Neva Murphy Hubbard Collection": Neva Murphy Hubbard (1886-1971) lived all of her life in Lincoln County, MO. She collected a large file of clippings of Lincoln County residents. The majority of the clippings were without citation. Beth Rengers Talken, beneficiary of the collection, has transcribed them for inclusion in our Lincoln County Heritage Records.
Submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Beth Rengers Talken, 18 September 1998.
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