Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 124, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1914 — MINISTER CLAIMS HE WAS KIDNAPED [ARTICLE]

MINISTER CLAIMS HE WAS KIDNAPED

Worker in Cause of Temperance Found After Absence of Fifty Days—Arrests Expected. . Rev. Louis R. Patmount, of Westville, 111, who mysteriously disappeared on .March 31st, during the J heat of a fight to rid his town of saloons, and who was believed to have been murdered by saloon sympathizers, was found Sunday in an abandoned house near. Columbia, 111. He had not been shaved since his disappearance. He was bound up so that he could scarcley move, his hands being fastened to a board under his knees. He related a story of strange horrors. He said that on the evening he disappeared he was returning from a temperance meeting when he was attacked by men with sandbags. He was rendered partially unconscious arid was placed in an automobile and taken some eighteen miles away but he did not know in what direction. He was hid' in a basement and bits of course food were shoved to him and he was told that he would be killed if he tried to call out or attract attention. He was later moved from place to place at nights until a few days ago he was placed in the qdlar of the house where he was found. He had been gagged with a handkerchief tied through his mouth. This he managed to chew into, although he fell asleep from sheer exhaustion while chewing at the rag. Disregarding the warning not to call out he shouted for help off and on lor a day and finally some one heard his cries and went to his rescue. He was taken to - St. Louis, where he was identified. He was Monday returned to Danville, 111., where he expects to give information to the grand jury that will lead to the arrest of the conspirators who either kidnaped him or inspired others to do so. He stated that he could identify the automobile in which he was carried about and knew the owner of the car, who is a strong supporter of the saloons. It is hoped the men responsible can be found and severely punished.