The Disappearance of L. L. Clifford
A member of the A.O.D.W. has vanished after traveling to Portland on lodge business, leaving his wife in a state of distress.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
L. L. Clifford, an officer of the A. O. D. W., was sent to Portland by the Lodge here to draw $140 in favor of a deceased member's brother. He was seen in Portland on Feb. 24th and 28th by Rev. J. F. DeVore. Since that time all trace of him is lost. Anxiety for him has made his wife sick. They have no children, own one lot and two small houses. The deceased member's name was Costly. He died a short time ago at Tacoma.
“Since that time all trace of him is lost. Anxiety for him has made his wife sick.”
The disappearance of a local resident with limited financial means is a human-interest story typical of the period. It underscores the fragility of household stability and the role of fraternal organizations like the A.O.D.W. (Ancient Order of United Workmen) in managing community safety nets.
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