The person at the center of this case
Earnest Doss Cagle (age 2)
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
76 years waiting · since 1950
Missing Person: Earnest Doss Cagle
Justice for Earnest Doss Cagle (age 2) — the trail went cold in 1950, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1How did a 2-year-old child exit a vehicle with unlocked doors and partially open windows without being seen or heard?
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witness
Lead #2Were there other patrons or staff at DeLay's Tavern who may have witnessed activity around the vehicle that night?
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location
Lead #3What happened in the nearby water-filled quarry and wooded areas—were they thoroughly searched with 1950s technology?
On August 27, 1950, 2-year-old Earnest Doss Cagle disappeared from his family's vehicle outside DeLay's Tavern in Buckhart, Illinois, while his parents were inside. Despite extensive searches of nearby quarries, wooded areas, and fields by authorities and volunteers, no trace of the child has ever been found. The case remains unsolved 76 years later, with investigators seeking any information about what happened to the young boy that night.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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clue
Lead #4The distinctive red-and-tan Hopalong Cassidy jacket would have been recognizable; has anyone ever reported seeing a child in such clothing?
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timeline
Lead #5Why was the child not discovered missing until 2:15 a.m.? How long had parents been inside the tavern?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP157175. Missing person: Earnest Doss Cagle.
Last known contact: 1950-08-27 in Buckhart, Sangamon, IL. Circumstances: On August 26, 1950, 2‑year‑old Earnest Doss “Earnest Jr.” Cagle was last seen in the family’s vehicle outside DeLay’s Tavern in Buckhart, Sangamon County, Illinois.
His parents reported that they had periodically checked on him and his 1‑year‑old sibling while inside the tavern. At approximately 2:15 a.m., Earnest Jr.
was discovered missing. The vehicle doors were reportedly unlocked and the windows partially open.
Extensive searches were conducted by local authorities, volunteers, and aircraft. A nearby water‑filled quarry, wooded areas, and surrounding fields were examined, but no trace was found.
Earnest Jr. was described as small for his age, with curly blonde hair and blue eyes.
He was last seen wearing sandals, green overalls, a yellow shirt, and a red‑and‑tan Hopalong Cassidy jacket. No confirmed sightings or evidence have been located since his disappearance.
Demographics: 2 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 2 ft 5 in, 19 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Blue.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: At the time he disappeared, he was wearing sandals, green overalls, a yellow polo shirt, and a red and tan Hopalong Cassidy jacket.. Investigating agency: Sangamon County Sheriff's Office | SG26-10825.
Timeline of Events
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1950-08-26
Last seen in family vehicle
2-year-old Earnest Jr. was last seen in the family's vehicle outside DeLay's Tavern in Buckhart. Parents reported periodically checking on him and his 1-year-old sibling while inside the tavern.
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1950-08-27
02:15Child discovered missing
At approximately 2:15 a.m., Earnest Jr. was discovered missing from the vehicle. The doors were unlocked and windows partially open.
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1950-08-27
Extensive search efforts
Local authorities, volunteers, and aircraft conducted extensive searches of nearby water-filled quarry, wooded areas, and surrounding fields, but no trace was found.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 26, 1950
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 2177536840
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Case Information
Incident:August 26, 1950
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2177536840
You can remain anonymous