June 2, 1887: John Merkel Abandons Wife, Heeds the Call "Go West"

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA.

June 2, 1887: John Merkel, a farmer living near New Berlinville, left home recently on a trip to Philadelphia, saying he would be gone for a few days. Nothing had been heard from him after that until today when his wife got a letter postmarked Kansas City, telling her that he was continuing westward and would never return.

He was thought to be well-to-do, but his wife owns the farm and he is in debt about $1000. He took about $300 with him.

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