Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-25
ANrNsoLvED MYSTERY.

Efforts Made to Discover the Where
abouts of the Missing ShOpkeePer and
His BrOther-A Singular Case.
A careful investigation by NEWS re-
porter Of the circumstances surrounding
the mysterious disappearance Of the Ter
man grocer. John H. Renkln, Ialis 10
throw any light upon the case 40
new facts were developed Yesterday
leading 10 his discovery, and there
arc variou. opinions "a to his whereabouts
and the cause Of his disappearance. some
hold the opinion that be has voluntarily
Ieft the city. while others believe
that he has been fOully dealt with.
As far a. can be learned. he was involved
i'm no financial schemes that would render
him embarrassed. Among the leading
merchants Of the city he was reputed as a
man Of excellent business ability. possess
ing. ordinarily. unlimited credit. The
firms 10 whom he was indebted for goods
issued attachments. and an inventory Of
the stock in the store was taken and FOUND
10 exceed $1,000 in value. An eXamlna-
zion Of his books also showed accounts
outstanding TO exceed $4,000. and lease
Of the premises valued at 5000. HIS en-
tire liabilities. as far as known, do noteN-
coed 8. Coz. OF $500 at the most
In view If these facts. no reason can be
assigned for his absc0nding. and other
surrounding circumstances point strongly
toward foul play. Upon further IN
luirv from parties living IN the store
building and occupying apartments adj
Joining those Of Rtnkin. 10 was learned
that De probably left on Wednesday or
THURSDAY. April 18th or 18th. He was
last seen Tuesday night. the 10th. His
absence was noticed by the man Johnson.
who inquiretfuf Renkin's brother Richard.
and the Young man. John tOrdes.
who had been employed as clerk,
where John was. They replied that he had
gone fishing. and would return Friday,
on his failure 20 return on that day.
they replied 10 further questions that he
had gone 10 CatOOsa Springs. The bush
ness was carried on a. usual by the
brother and Cordes until saturday night.
on SUNDAY night they were at the store Of
Harmon Hesse. % cousin Of the missing
man. corner Of York and Montgomery
streets. and stated they had received
a letter from John. and that
be was improving and would return this
week They left there about nine o'clock
and went 10 the store. About half-past
eleven o'clock noise was heard in the
room over the store. supposed 10 DE the
moving Of trunk. Nothing further was
heard. and johnson rot up about mid
night. and on going down stairs found
the lights burning IN the store ana the
doors open. but nobody in attendance.
Previous 10 Mr.. JOhnson's recOnnOis-
sance his wife heard what sounded
like a heavy trunk carried down the stairs
and lifted into a wagon. which was held
m waiting on the outside. The wagon
was driven away but in what direction
seems not TO be known. a negro. it is
said. volunteered the information that the
tracks led toward the canal bank.
What should have prompted the brother
and COrdes 10 leave in such manner.
after having given conflicting information
as 10 the shOpkeeper, evidently with the
intention 10 cover up his whereabouts. i
a mystery.
Kilograms were sent TO CatOOsa to learn
if possible if Rcnken was there. but as the
springs are not yet open no reply was re-
ceived. and ii Is not probable that he went
there al all. Yesterday information was
obtained that "a trunk answering to the
description Of the one taken 10y the
men in their flight. was left late
sunday night or Monday morning at Mon
teith's station. on the Charleston and Sa-
vannah Railroad officer WetherhOrn,
who l. engaged in the case. went there
last evening 10 identify the property and
obtain. if possible. a clue to the mystery.
1t was supposed the trunk was taken To
MOnteith as an obscure place 10 board
the train and cover up all their move
meutS. An examination of the contents
gave no clue calculated to solve the mys-
terry. The case i "a singular one. and
there are various spcculatiOnS as 10 the
disappearance of the three men.