wfn.org | Presbyterian Elder Disappears in Iowa Without a Trace

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

Reply-To: wfn-news list <wfn-news@wfn.org>
11-March-1999 
99102 
 
    Presbyterian Elder Disappears in Iowa Without a Trace 
 
    by Alexa Smith 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -A 51-year-old Presbyterian elder disappeared without a 
trace six days ago in Davenport, Iowa. 
 
    Elder Harry Swarts, a longtime member of the 121-member St. Andrew 
Presbyterian Church in Davenport, was last seen early in the morning March 
6.  Swarts reportedly told his wife, Ann, that he had an appointment with 
an unnamed buyer for their daughter's car and he has not been seen since. 
 
    "We've got posters spread all over town," said Pam Clark, spouse of St. 
Andrews' pastor, the Rev. Jim Clark.  "Our phone has rung off the hook. 
But there is not a clue." 
 
    The posters - which include a picture of Swarts - read: "Harry Swarts, 
hair grey; eyes hazel; 5' 10", 220 pounds.  Last seen wearing: a green 
striped t-shirt, old blue jeans, tennis shoes and a tan jacket.  If you 
have information on Harry's whereabouts, please contact the Davenport 
Police Department at 319-326-7979 or the Rev. Jim Clark at St. Andrew's at 
319-322-5250." 
 
    According to the Davenport Police Department, Swarts' wife spoke with 
him by telephone March 5 when he reported that a prospective buyer intended 
to look at the car March 6 and that he intended to go to his office to do 
some work that day as well.  She was trapped in Chicago by snow and 
returned home the morning of March 6 to an empty house.  The car was also 
missing. When her husband did not return home by evening, she contacted the 
police. 
 
    "We're looking at all the prospects," Lieutenant Dennis Kern, public 
information office for the Davenport police, told the Presbyterian News 
Service.  "There was nothing at the house to indicate foul play.  There was 
nothing at the office to indicate foul play.  But we haven't found the car 
yet either." 
 
    A national search has been issued for the 1991 silver gray Mazda 
Protege. 
 
    "We've asked the presbytery (East Iowa) and the synod (Lakes and 
Prairies) folks to remember Harry, Ann and their three girls in their 
prayers.  We're asking that if someone happens to see him to call the 
police department.  And if they do not want to get involved with the 
police, then call me," said Clark, noting that - as more time goes by - the 
congregation's and the family's fear of foul play is increasing. 
 
    Kerns said police are looking at all the possibilities now -- checking 
areas Swarts might normally frequent, calling friends, business associates 
and family.  "There are a number of reasons why people disappear - and 
they're not always forced to.  Sometimes they voluntarily drop out of 
society.  That's a prospect that we can't say happened, but we can't 
overlook it either," he told the Presbyterian News Service. 
 
    Clark's spouse said the family feels that voluntary disappearance is 
not likely and that Swarts' payroll check remains uncashed, his credit 
cards are still unused and there have been no ATM withdrawals from his bank 
accounts. 
 
    The congregation heard about his disappearance at the church's coffee 
fellowship following worship March 7.  Swarts was ordained as an elder at 
St. Andrew's in 1976 and has served several terms.  He is currently chair 
of the Corporate Affairs Committee. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  This note sent by PCUSA NEWS
  to the wfn-news list <wfn-news@wfn.org>.
  Send unsubscribe requests to wfn-news-request@wfn.org