A wealthy man from Adegem travels to New York in 1879 under an assumed name. Within days, he vanishes — with a large sum of money — and the newspapers ignite a mystery that spans continents.

While searching American newspaper archives, I typed “Adeghem” out of curiosity. Most results pointed to the First World War. One hit did not: an 1879 New York story about a missing Belgian, known as Frans Voongoorn — who turned out to be Eduardus De Wever from Adegem.

After the first discovery, I continued with a second, more focused archive: newspapers from New York State only, with tens of millions of searchable pages. That produced a dozen hits and a far richer picture of the events.

Money note: 48,000 francs in 1878–1879 represented a very significant fortune (your own estimate: roughly 245,000 euro / 270,000 dollar in today’s terms).

Adegem research — family background

Eduardus De Wever was born in Adegem on 12 October 1824, son of Amandus De Wever and Joanna De Visscher. Amandus came from Kluizen; Joanna was born in Adegem. Amandus died at Malecote (Adegem) on 4 February 1853, aged 86, after three marriages.

The children of Amandus and Joanna — all born in Adegem — included: Ferdinand (1808–1888, later in Eeklo), Seraphina (1811), Sophia (1813), Ludovicus (1817), Carolus (1819), Charlotte (1821–1859), Virginia (1822), and finally Eduardus (1824).

To America — March 1879

Around 14 March 1879, Eduardus left Antwerp for Liverpool. On 18 March 1879 he boarded the steamship Scythia. The ship reached New York on Wednesday 26 March 1879. With him travelled a young Belgian, Odile De Pauw (also spelled DePouse / DePauw in newspapers), described as his cousin or nephew.

According to statements given later, the older man carried a great deal of money: 48,000 francs in total, including 12,000 francs belonging to Odile. A smaller amount (3,000 francs) was said to be in a suitcase for which Eduardus kept the key. They stayed at a boarding house/hotel called “The Three Brothers”, 130 Greenwich Street, New York City.

Then, abruptly, the older man disappeared. Odile insisted his uncle had no motive to steal: devout Catholic, sober, modest, never married, physically weak, limping — a man more likely to be prey than predator. Investigators explored the ports, questioned officers and passengers, and noted rumours: an Italian passenger had advised the boarding house and may have known about the money.

Within days, the narrative twists again. A “wandering Belgian” is arrested, and in conversation with a fellow Belgian (reported as Professor Roemaet of Jersey City), he claims: my real name is Eduard De Wever; I used Voongoorn so relatives would not see me in the passenger lists. He describes walking for days, sleeping where he could, becoming lost, and finally wanting only to return home.

The Belgian consul Charles Mall became involved. Reports describe the money being secured, and arrangements made for De Wever and De Pauw while they remained in the city.

Later notes add a tragic Belgian epilogue: Eduard De Wever died at the “Insanity House” in Zelzate on 18 July 1885.

Newspaper references mentioned in the notes:
• The Sun, March 30, 1879 (Page 5, Image 5)
• Brooklyn Union-Argus, Monday March 31, 1879
• New York Daily Tribune, Monday March 31, 1879
• New York Tribune, April 03, 1879 (Page 8, Image 8)
• New-York Grandstand, April 03, 1879 (Page 8, Image 8)