Drake, George

DRAKE, RUSSELL

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 2/28/2015 at 13:12:04

Thought to be Dead, Returns
George Drake, Who Left Home Thirty-eight Years Ago, Returns Thursday; No Explanation
George Drake, who left home thirty-eight years ago and has kept completely out of sight ever since, returned to Newton Thursday as unannounced as he left.
Drake is now a man sixty-five years of age and on arriving here he recognized none of the names around the square. He hired a driver to take him out to his old farm home near Murphy but his memory of places was so indistinct that he lost the way several times.
The old Drake farm had been bought a good many years ago by T. G. Russell and the tenants there now told Drake they knew nothing of the name. When he heard this he broke down and cried like a child.
When he inquired for his brother, Will Drake, however, he was directed to his home in the Amboy neighborhood and was finally reunited with his family.
The older citizens here well remember the excitement caused by his disappearance and the unavailing effort made to locate him. No cause could be assigned for his going nor has any reason been discovered since.
Mr. Drake has spent most of his time since leaving here in Medora, Illinois, and has been quite successful in a business way. He was married fifteen years ago but his wife died this last January of the influenza.
He is now visiting with the members of the Drake family here and in Kellogg.
Source: The Newton Daily News; June 12, 1920, page 1, col. 5