MISSING CLERGYMAN

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1928, Page 5

MISSING CLERGYMAN

WHERE IS THE BUTLER ? Mystery Unsolved. REV, HUTCHINSON PENNILESS. LONDON, August 23. Regarding the mysterious disappearance of the Reverend Franklin Hut vhinson, Rector of a little village, Doddinghurst, Essex, and formerly belonging to Bendigo (Australia), along with his butler, named Strawn, it is considered that Mr Hutchinson, who is suffering a nervous breakdown, is likely to turn up in Ireland, it is oelieved that he is impecunious. The police have ascertained that Strawn is looking for a job at Stroud, and is quite all right. They went to the Rectory in order to allay anxiety, and found nothing unusual. There is no reason whatever to suspect foul play. A number of villagers and pressmen assembled outside the rectory early this morning owing to rumours of sensational developments. The police commenced searching the house and grounds covering eighteen acres, and at two o’clock were still continuing the search, which was fruit less. There was no tra-e of Hutchinson or Strawn. The latter had given an address at Torquay, but letters sent there were returned marked “not known. ’ ’

Air A. G. Weymouth, who is joint principal at St Peter’s College. Lewit»liani, with Hutchinson says that before Hutchinson was missing, he received i letter from him hinting he was making away with himself, and that he had left Weymouth a thousand pounds. Air Weymouth examined the books at the rectory and found that all Hut chinson’s property was mortgaged, and Hutchinson was penniless. Where is the Butler ? RECTOR REPORTED TO BE IN IRELAND. (Received August 24, at 8.45 p.m J LONDON, August 24. One curious feature of the Essex Rector’s disappearance is contained in the Essex Chief Constable’s definite statement, namely the Stroud police announcement as to being unaware of the butler, Straw's presence there. The. Inspector stated: “Yon can takci it Straw is not here now. 1 cannot imagine where the .Essex constabulary derived the information.” Meantime, the Essex Chief CunSiable’s theory that Rev, Hutchinson, will turn up in Ireland is supported by a report from Dublin that a man whom a woman recognises irom a photograph as* the Vicar, Air Hutchinson called and asked for a cup of tea. He said that he was a Limerick horse dealer, and that his car had broken down. He added that his mother lived at Clontarf, which is known to bo residence of Hutchinson’s parents. REPORT DISCREDITED. LONDON, August 24. The report that the Rev Hutchinson was seen' in Dublin is defintely discre-