Solving Mystery of Man Who Doesn't Know His Name, July 10, 1926

Asheville Mystery Man Is Unable to Give Real Name or His Address

Asheville, July 10—Asheville has a man of mystery. Intelligent, well dressed and apparently normal in every way, he is unable to tell who he is, where he is from or why he is here.

The young man first caught the attention of local physicians when he wandered into one of the hospitals here a few weeks ago and seated himself. When questioned he was unable to give his name or explain his presence. He was kept that night and while efforts were being made the following day to identify him, he wandered off as quietly as he had appeared. Nearly three weeks later, he was found wandering on the streets by a man who conducted him to a local institution where an examination was made.

He gave his name first as W.H. Wilson but could not remember where his home had been. Finally he stated that he had a brother and sister living at Dunn, and declared they had placed him in the State hospital in Raleigh.

Investigation showed that the hospital authorities had no record of such a case. He has told those interested that he is a member of the W.O.W. lodge and a member of the Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church. He says that his wife is dead and that before her marriage she was Miss Mary Huffman of Newberry, S.C. He says that his little girl is with her aunt, Mrs. T.W. Newborn of Raleigh, R.F.D. Subsequently he has given his name as William Thomas Johnson, so of the late J.P. Johnson of Goldsboro, and that he has a brother, Wallace Johnson at Wallace.

Telegrams sent to friends and acquaintances he has named by the authorities here have brought no replay nor have letters to the mayors of several North Carolina towns that he mentioned brought replies tending to clear up the mystery of his identity. The last name to which he has laid claim is Carlyle Morefield of South Boston, Va. Those who may know this man are requested to communicate with box 311, Asheville, the post office address of the organization that has taken his case in charge.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, July 10, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-07-10/ed-1/seq-1/