The Western Citizen frequently served as the forum for slaveowners, artisans and craftsmen and disgruntled husbands seeking their missing slaves, apprentices or wives. Missing slave and apprentice ads included the individual’s name, age, physical description, and the reward offered. Personality or physical quirks were also included to help identify the runaway party. Missing wives were generally identified only by name and the advertiser gave notice that he would not pay any bills she incurred, but, sometimes, as in the case of Bridget McDallough, a husband aired the family problems in detail.