Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1919 — INVOLVED IN DEBT; LEAVES [ARTICLE]

INVOLVED IN DEBT; LEAVES

O. H. McKAY, UNABLE TO MEET OBLIGATIONS, TAKES SECRET DEPARTURE. Notifying his family that he was going to Hammond on business, O. H. McKay, the laundryman, departed from Rensselaer last Friday and has not been seen or heard from since. Financial embarrassment is believed to be the reason for his sudden and mysterious departure, as he was involved in debt with several different concerns, not heavily, it seems, but enough that he did not care to face his friends longer. Mrs. McKay states that her husband had been worrying over his obligations since December and that they preyed on his mind so that he would remain at his home for days at a time rather than to face his creditors. She further states that a search into his business affairs reveals 'that the extent of his obligations totals but a few hundred dollars and that none of his creditors need have the least cause for alarm, as all outstanding debts will be met and that the laundry business will be continued by her the same as usual. Besides operating a laundry, Mr. McKay was also the proprietor of a small gasoline and oil station, which apparently was the cause of his financial downfall. It is reported that the Standard Oil company was a creditor of McKay to the extent of a thousand dollars, but Mrs. McKay states that she is positive in her belief that her husband was not involved that heavily., with that firm and that the reports of other debts have also been highly exaggerated. A local representative for an oil company is also a creditor of Mr. McKay, having sold him a car of oil for which he never received payment, it is said. Aside from the above alleged debts, it is said that Mr. McKay owed a Lafayette laundry firm a large bill which he was unable to meet. ..For this reason, it is said that the laundry concern has been holding the laundry, four shipments in all, until the obligation is met. However, Mrs. McKay announces that anyone "who has not received their laundry may do so any time ter 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, as she has made arrangements to have the same sent here. Mr. McKay had been a citizen of Rensselaer for a number of years, and during that time was always straightforward in his business dealings. He was an extremely hard worker and always provided well for his wife and two children, and his desertion came as a surprise to all. There is no one who feels but that he will do the right thing and that he will eventually reimburse those who meet his obligations for him. It is the belief of Mrs. McKay that her husband has secured a situation somewhere and that as soon as he has saved enough money he will return here and pay all outstanding debts. Mr. McKay is a capable workman and have no trouble in obtaining employment. In the meantime Mrs. McKay will conduct the laundry business on the same scale, taking laundry orders, and asks the confidence and continued patronage of the public.