Imagine having a house built and then finding out that the house is no longer there. Here is a report of a house that went missing. The report does not state whether or not the owner had inspected the house after it was built, because this may have simply been a case of a house being built on the wrong lot or the builder taking the money and never building the house.
Lost — 8 Room House
Minneapolis, Aug. 15 — Twin City detectives are keeping their eyes open for anyone wandering around with an 8-room house under his arm.
The house was stolen from a lot owned by Frank N. Edmonds, a real estate operator, and just at present the police department is utterly lacking in clues.
Edmonds found out about the theft when he received a notice from the Board of Health to get the lot on which the house once stood cleaned up.
Edmonds replied heatedly to the Board of Health that the house occupied almost all of the lot, which consequently would not need cleaning up.
The Board of Health replied heatedly to Edmonds that he was nutty and that he ought to have a doctor examine his head.
Edmonds went out to 4th avenue and North street, where once his 8-room house had been. It was gone, lock, stock, and barrel. There wasn’t even a cellar left.
The police have notified all the pawnbrokers to let them know if anyone tries to hock an 8-room house. Edmonds is trying to think of some way to nail the lot down.
Source: The Day Book (Chicago, Illinois newspaper). August 15, 1912.
