Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-10-31
SHROUDED IN MYSTERY.
THEsThANSE DISsPPEARANC
4 SOWS HUSfNEss NAN.
william y. Cameron Leaves His Home
ana Family for Unknown Paris-His
Books and Accounts Correct-His wife
Almost Crax.d with Grief.


ana Family for Unknown Paris-Hi-
Books and Accounts Corrsct-His wife
Almost Cra<.d with Grief.
From Morning Editon.l
Probably the most mysterious disappear
ance that has ever occurred in this city is
that OF William d. Cameron, who was, up to
last Saturday night, the trusted and capable
cashier OF the Champion Bar and Knife
Company. No man in the employ OF the
firm enjoyed the confidence of his superiors
more than Mr.. Cameron, and although he has
disappeared nothing can be said against him
that would injure in the least the good rep
utation be bore. He came to this
city about siI years ago, and
engaged in the insurance business with a gen.
tlemsn named Brown, with whom he was AZ
socisttd until four years ago, when he went
into the employ Of the Champion. He was a
young man, twenty. seven years old, but a
level-headed, competent business man. few
years ago he was married to a Miss McClel-
Ian, whose M other resides on the south est
corner of North and Market streets. He is
the father OF bright little boy about FIVE
years old.
For the past two years his health has been
failing and this preyed on his mind con-
tinuslly. He at times became very
melancholy and when in this
condition be talked great deal
about his bad health. Last fall be went to
Mr.. Amos Whiteley and told him that his
physician had said be would have to leave
here, as he could not live in this climate. Mr..
Whiteley said he hoped it would not prove
that bad, and offered him leave of absence.
This was accepted, and Mr.. Cameron lett for
his home in Canada. He was gone two
months, but came back in worse health than
when he LETT. He had a brother who died OF
consumption, and sister who is now a vic
tim OF that dread disease. Last week he
told the superintendent of the Bar and Knife
works, Mr.. Webster, that he intended
going to Delaware on a fishing
trip on Saturday, but on the day mentioned
he said that he had given up the notion and
would not g. He went home, ate bis supper,
and spent part OF the evening at home. He
then told his wife that he was going fishing
and began to make preparations. He made
the remark to her that it would be lonely tor
her to stay alone, and said if she objected to
his going he would give up the trip She,
however, knowing that he wanted TO 90 and
thinking il would do him good, insisted on
hia nnipn
his mind, however and just before be left he
again made the same remark, and received the
same answer. He then LETT, and hat is the
last that has been seen or heard of him.
Monday morning he did not report at the d.
fee, but Mr.. Webster said nothing about it,
thinking that Mr.. WhteIey had given him
leave OF absence for day or two. On Tues
day, however, when MIR. Cameron did not
make his appearance, Mr.. Webster reported
the matter at headquarters. Mr.. Whiteley
then sent his son, Elmer, to Cameron resi-
dence at the corner OF Limestone street and
Southern avenue. Mrs. Cameron admitted
him, and on being questioned in regard to her
husband, she burst into tears, and said she
knew nothing rs to his whereabouts, excep,
that he had told her he WAS going fishing.
1t was evident that she was very much wor-
ried over his disappearance, rs her eyes sho wed
signs OF constant wee ping.
AS soon rs It was found that his family
knew nothing OF him, an expert bookkeeper
was employed to go over his books A
thorough examination Of these showed a
clean balance, the books being posted up to
the night he lett. A rumor became current
that he had taken $500 bonds be long
ing to the firm, but this is entirely unfound-
ed, and arose probably itom the fact that he
took several lite insurance poIici,s
OF his own from the Office safe,
where he had kept them tor wears.
These, however. were found AZ EDWARDS IN his
wite's possession. So far as known, there
fore, there is nothing to lead to the belief
tibet he has done anything criminal. Mr..
Whiteley, when talked to last might on tse
subject, expressed the utmost tonfience in
Mr.. Cameron's honesty and integrity, and
paid him high compliment as a business
man. He could advance no theory, what
ever, as to the cause of his disappearance,
except that he had been ioully dealt with.
ln fact, all his family are at STA AS to the
cause, and unless something is heard of or
from him, 1t will probably remain enshrouded
in mystery.
Mr.. Csmeron's family relations have al
ways been OF the pleasantest character, and
when not at work at the Office he invariably
spent his evenings at home. On nvestiga-
tion 1t is learned that tor some months past
Mr. Cameron has been drinking very heavi-
ly, having acquired taste tor liquor, i, is
thought, from prescription given him by
his physician, consisting OF whisky, glyce-
riue, and rock candy. So far ss known,
however, he never became intox icated.
Naturally the family has become very
much alarmed over his continued absence
and letters have been written 10 his parents
in Canada askiag il he is there, but as vet no
answer has beet received. Mr.. Whit.ley
also telegraphed to parties 10 Delaware, bu,
received reply that he had not been seen
there.
From all the information obtainable, the
case is one of the most mysterious that ever
occurred here, and there are only TWO plsusibl,
theories. One Is that he has wandered of
in state OF alteration and met with
fatal accident, or in n like condition OF
mind, taken his own life. His friends ant
family do not like to admit the latter theory
and 1t is their earnest hope that he will b,
heard from soon. Mrs. Cameron 10 nesrl,
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