The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-06-09
THE MISSING ELDER
His Body Found in a Lonely
Cemetery at TOOmSuba.
ELDER MoRGAYS GRAPHIC STORY.
Was the Death Of Elder Richards an Accident,
OF was He Foully hurssred?-A
Mystery UnsOlved.

Elder John Morgan arrived in Salt Lake
Yesterday morning, with the remains Of
Alma P. Richards, whose sudden disap-
pearance some months ago, while prosecut-
ing his labors as a missionary in the south
ern states, caused the belief that he had
been foully dealt with. The remains were
sent to his late home in Littleton, Morgan
county. yesterday From a letter written
to the Nelus by Elder Morgan, which gives
a very graphic account of the missionary
disappearance and subsequent discovery Of
the body, we make the following extracts
He reported for duty as a travelling
elder at the headquarters of the southern
states mission in November, 1887, and was
assigned to the Mississippi conference, to
travel in Jaspar county, Mississippi, and
Sumpter county, Alabama, which belonged
in the Mississippi conference.
In June of 1888, his travelling companion,
Elder Harmon, was released to return
home, which left Elder Richards alone, but
with the prospect in the near future OF a
companion to take Elder Harmon's place.
Owing to the demand for elders, 1t was
found impossible to supply the vacancy at
once. In the latter part of June he left
Sumpter county. Ala. TO visit the Saints IN
Mississippi-wit the promise to return ana
take dinner at Bro her Odum's, on the 9th
of August, the anniversary OF the latter $
birthday Visiting the saints III Mississippi
occupied his time during July. On the
night of July 81 he stayed at Sister
fuckers. in Jasper county, Miss, going
from there to Brother Kemps, distance
of seventeen miles, in the direction OF
Meridian Miss. ,en route to Brother Odu1l.' ;,
to make the promised vlslt. Leaving
Brother Kempts on the morning OF
August in fine spirits, he followed the
msin-traveled road toward Enterprise, on
the line of the New Orleans ~ North
eastern railway, stopping at colored
mans house to get a drink, and wash his
face and hands, doubtless to alleviate the
fatigue caused by the extreme heat, then
prevalent. AS was his custom, he frankly
stated who he was, where he was from and
his destination. From thence he evidently
made his way to the town of Enterprise,
and was seen standing on the platform OF
the DEPOT The next trace we have OF him,
he stepped into the door of the Ragsdale
hotel at Meridian; on the morning OF
August 2 between daylight and lnrl
and handed package containing his Bible,
HYMN book, two photographs, and u clean
shirt. to A d. Blank. the colored porter
with the request to retain them Tor a compile
Of weeks and ne would call for them. He. c
ALL TRACE OF HIM DISAPPEARED,
Prompt steps were taken to ascertain his
whereabouts by President Spry. The
saints were corresponded with and elders
notified to make inquiry in every direction,
but no tidlngs whatever could be obtained.
The first Saturday and Sunday in Novem-
Der a conference was held in Sumpter
county. Alabama, of the Mississippi SAINTS
and travelling elders. After the close of
the conference, President Spry, accom-
panied by number of elders, went to
Meridian. Unfortunately they arrived
there on the day of the Presidential cleo
ton: the city was full of people, consider
able political excitement prevailed and the
crowds were more or less under the int1u-
ence OF liquor The sudden appearance OF
so MANY strangers and their movements
started the rnmor that they were northern