The Vanishing Grocer of Garfield
A local merchant leaves on a routine business trip to Spokane and vanishes, leaving his family and neighbors in a state of growing alarm.
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.
Garfield: T. J. Pitzer, a well-known grocer, left his home a week ago Monday, telling his family and clerk he was traveling to Spokane via the Northern Pacific to purchase goods. He promised to return the following day and ship inventory back, but eight days have passed without word. His family contacted Spokane business associates, who confirmed he never arrived. His wife is reportedly 'almost crazed with grief,' fearing some serious tragedy has befallen him.
“Mrs. Pitzer is almost crazed with grief over the matter, as she feels certain something awful has happened to him.”
This is a classic 'missing person' report from an era where an out-of-town trip meant an individual was truly unreachable. It serves as a stark reminder of the pre-digital era's vulnerability.
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