MISSING FARMER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

MISSING FARMER

A RIDDLE EXPLAINED "WANTED TO BE ALONE" SAW SEARCHERS ON PROPERTY "WHILE police and volunteers made a widespread search of the snowcovered countryside for him, fearing that he had perished during severe weather, Mr. 11. J. A,still, _Jy" known Leicestershire farmer, of Kir by Park Farm, Kirby Bellairs, was in an outbuilding where he had gone to seek "solitude.

Mr. Astill, a bachelor, aged 48, who had left his home some days previously, surprised his friends when lie walked into a Melton Mowbray hotel and ordered refreshments. Explaining the riddle of his "disappearance" ho said: f, I had a bad attack of nerves a week ago and was worried. I felf I wanted to be alone. I retired to the solitude of an outbuilding on my farm after attending to my sheep." Mr. 1 Astill said that throughout the cold weather he had no fire, but kept himself warm with overcoats and old sacks. "I entered my own home for food at night," he said. "Each time, fortunately, I found a rear door unlocked. "I saw uniformed figures on the farm, but lay low. I did not want to be seen. I wished to be alone. Then I left my farm and walked into Melton Mowbray. "My sister was overjoyed to see me and my mother greeted mo with great relief. "I am told that my relatives had no idea where I had been, and that it was feared I had been overcome by the cold and been buried in»a snowdrift."