Reuben Zeider
Reuben Zeider, of 197 North Mulberry Street, mysteriously disappeared Saturday night and has not yet been found. It is thought by some that he has committed suicide, while others hold to the opinion that he has gone to his old home in Pennsylvania. His wife is nearly distracted with grief. After supper Saturday evening he left home and as is his custom went to Shill's barber shop on North Main Street and was shaved. He remained there until after 6 o'clock and then went away It is stated that he was also seen during the evening in the vicinity of the Union Depot by several persons, which leads to the theory that he might have gone to Pennsylvania. About 10 o'clock Saturday night as her husband had not returned home, Mrs. Zeider went to A.A. Fiscus' store on North Main Street to inquire if Mr. Fiscus had seen her husband, Mr. Fiscus having been acquainted with Mr. & Mrs. Zeider for some time. Mr. Fiscus had not seen him, but made inquiry at Shill's barber shop next door and learned that Mr. Zeider had been there early in the evening, as has already been stated. Mr. Zeider is a pattern maker by occupation and for a number of years has been in the employ of Niman & Van Atta at the Union Foundry, and Machine works. Of late he has not had steady work, but managed to work a day or two a week, or sometimes a full week, according as business would be. When it was learned that he had not been seen, further inquiry was made at various places and without result. John B. Niman and John Van Atta joined with A.A. Fiscus in the search. Officers Richards and Austin, whose beats are in the north part of the city, were also informed of the disappearance, and they joined in the search and notified the police up town. The party made inquiry at the depots and searched along the tracks in different directions from the city, thinking that his body might be found, if he had committed suicide. Other places, where it was thought he might possibly be, were searched but to no avail. About 3 o'clock Sunday morning the search was given up for awhile and was continued Sunday. Efforts are still being put forth to find him. The missing man has been in financial straits more or less for some time owing to lack of work. His employers aided him, and after an accident to him in the shop some time ago his wages were continued in full, when he worked, though the loss of three fingers of his right hand, which had been cut off at that time, incapacitated him considerably for work and rendered it necessary to employ an extra man to aid him on certain kinds of work. The Citizens' Savings and Loan company has a mortgage of over $1,100 on his property and it is also understood that Henry Krause holds a mortgage. Mr. Zeider was an old soldier, having been a member of Co. C., 82nd. Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He walked slightly lame owing to having been wounded in the left foot during the war. He drew a pension of $12 per month for disability. He was a man of good habits and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. His height is 6 feet and he has a dark complexion, iron gray hair and mustache. Three fingers of his right hand are off at the hand joint. His name is sometimes spelled Zider and the city directory spells his name Ciders. He is about 69 years of age though one would think him several years younger, for he bears his age well. He was a sailor in early life and had a variety of experiences during the time he followed the sea. An incident is told of him that on one occasion the ship on which he was working came into port with nearly all on board ill with yellow fever. About 15 years ago he and his wife came to this city from Walnut, Juniata County, Pa., and have resided here since that time. It is stated that he received his pension money for three months a week ago or les, and it is thought that his financial troubles have had the effect of unbalancing his mind and that he has either committed suicide or else has wandered away and, as would be natural, has gone to his old home in Pennsylvania, though most, if not all, of his relatives there are dead or have moved away. He was not confidential about his business affairs and said very little to his wife about them.
From The Richland Semi-Weekly News, January 19, 1897