Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1902 — And Joe Came Back. [ARTICLE]

And Joe Came Back.

A rather strange story oomes from Benton county, near Mt. Gilboa. Eight years ago a well to do farmer there by the name of Joseph Davis got his wife and children to go on a visit to her father, and he then sold off most of his stook and personal property and left for parts unknown, leaving a letter saying that they wonld likely never see him again. A year or two later he was reported dead. The wife and 6 children stayed on the farm and made a living for themselves. Last week the same Joe Davis returned to his family after 8 years of silent abeenoe. He says he has been in Oklahoma and claims that he has plenty to live on and that his family need not work for their living in the future. If Davis’ story es his affluence it true, his family will probably be wise to take him baok and help him enjoy his wealth, bat if he has been wasting himself and his snbstanoe like other prodigals in riotous living, and his wealth la a pipe dream, he deserves to be told to go and shift for himself again.