Iowa
Old Press
Citizen Herald
Jesup, Buchanan co. Iowa
March ?, 1905
Valentine Heinen, who so mysteriously disappeared from his home
Gilbertville a week ago Monday night, has not at this writing,
been found. Mr. Heinen, who had been up town, started home quite
late in the evening, which is located near the Cedar River, and
for some reason not known, he failed to reach. His wife, becoming
alarmed by his long absence, aroused the neighbors and a search
for the missing man was instituted. It will be remembered that
the night was very dark and raining and Mr. Heinen's eyesight is
poor. It is the supposition that he wandered too close to the
river bank and fell over the high embankment, in the vicinity of
his home, as foot prints were found on the river's edge, as was
also his watch, and the small bushes were broken which he
evidentally grabbed in his effort to save himself, and the belief
was at once established he had met death in the waters of the
Cedar. Arrangements were hastily made to secure the body, and the
searching party commenced work at early morn to drag the river,
the ice having been dynamited, so that the work could be more
thoroughly prosecuted, but without results. On Monday, Mr. L.
Pint, living east of Jesup, who is a nephew of the missing man,
was in the Herald office, stopping here on his way home
from Gilbertville, and in an interview, he stated that it was his
belief, as well as many others familiar with the case, that his
uncle did not meet his death by drowning, but that he crossed the
river on the ice in safety, and is wandering through the country
in a demented condition. Mr. Heinen is a man of 66 years old,
about 5 feet tall, and speaks both the German and English
language. A liberal reward is offered for his return home at
Gilbertville, or for any information concerning his whereabouts.
[transcribed by K.D., March 2009]
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Independence Conservative
Independence, Buchanan co. Iowa
March 15, 1905
Local exchanges last week announced that Valentine Heinen had
been missing from his home at Gilbertville since the 6th of this
month. It was first believed that he had drowned, as his watch
was found on the river bank near his home. In tracing his
footsteps, however, it was afterward believed that he had
wandered away. His mind having been slightly affected at
different times, relatives are of the opinion that he is
wandering about possibly in a demented state. He is the brother
of Mrs. Jacob Pint, and any information as to his wherabouts will
be greatly received by his relatives.
[transcribed by K.D., March 2009]