The Watchman And Southron

RICH OIL MAN DISAPPEARS FROM SHIP

Alfred H. Ramage, of Joplin, Mo.
Lost From Steamer Between Washington and Norfolk

Norfolk, Va., April 18. - (AP) -

Careful search of the waters in the vicinity of where he disappeared failed today to locate the body of Alfred H. Ramage, wealthy oil man of Joplin, Mo., who is supposed to have leaped to his death from the steamer Northland in Chesapeake bay early Saturday morning while en route from Washington to Old Point. Norfolk police, who were called into the case when the steamer docked here at the end of her run, said after their investigation that they were convinced Ramage had ended his life by drowning and that he had not accidentally fallen overboard.

Young Ramage, who was unmarried, was en route to visit his parents at their winter home in Pinehurst, N. C.

Ramage was missed when a steward went to call him to prepare to leave the steamer at Old Point. The room was in perfect order and all of the man's clothing, with the exception of his bathrobe and shoes was in place.

An inquiry started immediately by Capt. George H. Nowell developed that the man last had been seen about 5 a. m., an hour before the boat was to dock at Old Point, walking on an upper deck clad only in his bathrobe and shoes. A passenger who had not taken a stateroom for the night, reported the matter, saying the man had passed above him as he sat on one of the lower decks and kept on to the rear of the steamer.

The fact that $3,000 worth of unregistered Liberty bonds, a valuable watch and $84.99 in cash were found in his room, along with a note to John H. Copelli, an associate of his in business, at 608 Frisco building, Joplin, Mo., brought detectives assigned to the case to scout the theory that he had met foul play.

When the steamer arrived here and a search failed to reveal any trace of the missing man Detective Leon Nowitzky, coroner's investigator, was notified.

The detective learned that Ramage boarded the steamer in Washington Friday afternoon. At about 11 p. m. a watchman saw him sitting in the main salon, his feet in a wicker chair. The watchman asked him to remove them and then Ramage asked to see the purser.

Ramage asked the purser which was his room and a survey of the passenger list showed that Ramage had not engaged a room. After declaring he wished one, the purser assigned him to a room and then went with him to show the way, giving him the key.

En route, according to the purser, the man seemed preoccupied and when they reached the stateroom he informed him that he already had been given the key and it was found in his pocket. He was not seen after that time except for his trip down the deck in the early morning.

Oil City, Pa., April 18. -- (AP) -

Alfred Hull Ramage was born February 14, 1888, in Oil City and was educated at Amherst college.

He went to Joplin, Mo., to take charge of a lead and zinc mine about 1917 and since had been located there, with the exception of the period of the World war, when he served as a lieutenant in the aviation division. He also was interested in oil properties in Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico.

He left Joplin on a business trip to the East April 10 and was in Pittsburgh last Monday, leaving for Washington that evening.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Y. Ramage of Oil City, are at present at Pinehurst, N. C. The elder Ramage is a pioneer oil operator in Pennsylvania fields and one of the best known men in this section of the state.