Disappearance Of The Northbound Stage

Chapter 2:

The Town of Walnut Grove is concerned about Mr. And Mrs. Ingalls and after the morning Church service Rev. Alden says, "There will be no evening service tonight so that we may search for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ingalls. All the men that are able to meet with Almanzo Wilder to form a search party please do exactly as he tells you. Ladies the Church will stay open for prayer. Laura if you could lead the ladies in prayer for your parents."

Laura answers, "Definitely Rev. Alden."

Rev. Alden then looks at young Jeb Carter, "Jeb son, you are a mature young man. I would like for you to lead the children in prayer for the search party."

Jeb responds, "Yes, Reverend, I will take care of that."

Nels Olsen offers, "The children can meet in the Mercantile to pray."

Rev. Alden replies, Thank you, Nels. Let's pray and be on our way." He pauses, "Let's all bow our heads please, 'Our Heavenly Father please watch over Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls and help them to be found. Provide the peace and comfort only You can give. We ask this in Your name, Amen.'"

All the men gather and form a search party, Almanzo Wilder, Isaiah Edwards, John Carter, Albert Ingalls and Dr. Baker. Rev. Alden decided to stay back to help with the ladies and children. As they are about to leave for the search Laura Wilder says to Almanzo as she gives him a kiss, "Manly you be careful out there!"

Almanzo replies as he kisses her back, "Beth I will and don't worry we will find your Ma and Pa."

Sylvia also gives Albert a kiss, "You also be careful and find your Ma and Pa!"

"I will, my love," Albert assures Sylvia giving her a kiss."

The men go out on their way to search for Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls, the ladies go to the Church to pray and the children go to the Mercantile. Rev. Alden walks up and down the streets of Walnut Grove praying silently.

The men begin their search tracing the trail South toward Burr Oak Iowa but not having any luck finding them.

On Monday afternoon Almanzo sends a telegram to Walnut Grove telling them they are having no luck and Rev. Alden decides to join the search party he meets up with Almanzo and all the men about a mile away from a Town called Waterloo Iowa and then they all notice from the trail the stage that Charles and Caroline was on seemed to have left the trail heading North touring Waterloo Iowa and seems to indicate that the stage drowned in a lake but there was no evidence supporting what the circumstances looked like.

In Waterloo Iowa Almanzo and all of the search party asked around Town at different businesses, Hotels and Restaurants at Stage Depots and with the local Authorities but no one could tell them anything and no reports of foul play. They also went to different farms and at one particular farm by the river a lady answered the door. Rev. Alden asks her, "Have you seen a northbound stage pass this way a few days ago? It's very important it may be a matter of life and death."

The lady responds as she breathes deeply, making a choking sound, "I can't say nothing! I know nothing! Let me be and pray it never happens to you." Then she slams the door.

Rev. Alden tries to say through the closed door, "Ma'am, maybe I can help... I'm a Minister. Please Miss... I need information."

She refuses to answer... she's inside her home scared to death.

Rev. Alden, Almanzo, Isaiah and Albert are thinking and saying to each other, "That was strange. Something isn't right."

Why is she acting this way, was the driver of the Stagecoach ill or drunk or acting crazy? Was the stage adducted if so by whom?

Meanwhile in Walnut Grove the Ladies and children are praying for the Ingalls and the search party.

Will everyone be together for Thanksgiving?

To Be Continued