Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-25
is He DEAD !?
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A
BUSINESS COLLEGE STUDENT.
Niels Holmdrup Being Searched For
High and Low by the Po-
lice and Friends.

,
Dane, VINO for several months prior to the
close OF the last State Fair was pupil at
the Sacramento Business College. He had
very few friends and acquaintance in this
city, being a stranger here, and, not being
in very affluent circumstances, did chores
about the college before and after school
hours, as well as at the residence of Professor
E. C. Atkinson, Principal of the school, for
his board and lodging.
Shortly after the close of the fair Pro-
fessor Atkinson went to San Francisco for
short nip, and left the college in charge
of his son Edward. During his fathers
absence Edward had occasion to direct
Niels to do certain work, some of which
was splitting wood, and which was dis
tasteful to Niels. The latter protested
against doing the work, but Edward in
sisted. Niels finally did the work.
That night he disappeared.
As he was not seen the next day Ed
ward wrote to his father about it, express
ing considerable concern about the matter.
1t seemed strange that Niels should have
gone without taking any of his clothes or
other personal effects with him. His room
was found in its usual condition, with
nothing disturbed, and his clolhing with
the exception OF the suit of working clothes
he wore when last seen, were all in the
trunk, and this was unlocked
When Professor Atkinson returned he
became deeply concerned over Holmdrup's
disappearance and erdeavored to find some
clue regarding the whereabouts of his
pupil. But it was all to no purpose, as far
/, al
he then placed the matter in the hands of
the police
Officer Frank Rider was detailed by the
Chief to investigate the matter, and has
since worked energetically, but vainly,
upon the case. He has not been able 10
obtain a single clue by which to trace
Holmdrups movements after the day
upon which he objected to chopping wood.
THE MYSTERY DEEPENs.
Letters have been written to the few per-
SONS living in various parts of the country
who were known to be acquainted with
the missing man, but they know nothing
of his whereabouts. Professor Atkinson
learned that Holmdrup had a brother liv-
ing in little town called Topaz in Mono
county, and another in Bodie, Nevada.
He wrote to them, thinking that perhaps
Niels had visited either of them. But he
soon learned that such was not the case,
and the mystery grew even more impene-
trable
Hans Holmdrup, the brother who lives
at Topaz, upon receiving Professor Akin
sons letter, Immediately wrote 10 the Pro-
lessor for further particulars. In reply, he
received the following details:
SACRAMENTO, October 80, 1889.
Hans HOllndTap TUpdz-DEAR SIR : According
to my promise in my dispatch of last evening, l
write youth regard TO the disappearance OF Niels
HolmdrOp | presume you know that he was
attending the college days, and that he worked
mornings and evenings at my house for his
board. On tile 9Th of this month went to San
Francisco to be absent about four days. On the
next day received letter from my son stating
that Niels lad quit the place without notice;
that he objected 10 doing some part OF the work
i think it was splitting wood to be used in the
kitchen-but he finally agreed to do 1t until
should return; that he went down town in the
evening, as usual, and that was the last seen of
him. ! thought this rather strange, because
Niels had always been faithful, willing
to work, and anxious to do all that
was required of him. On my return
home I went into his room and finding his
trunk unlocked, his clothes hanging in the
usual place, his books and letters on the table,
l felt that something was wrong, for it seemed
by the appearance OF things that he had left
with the intention of returning. then went
and saw Ernest and August Scheppelmann,
with whom he was acquainted, hoping that
might learn something of his whereabouts
They told me that they had not seen him since
the Sunday before at church. l then went to
the office Of the Chief of Police to ascertain if
could find out anything about him. l gave
description OF him and asked that the police be
ON the lookout for any foul play: Still all the
time, felt that there was possibility that he
had returned to Topaz. On making inquiries OF
one of the teachers l learned that Niels had
told him that he was afraid he was too old TO
learn. l ascertained still further that he did
not attend the school on the evening of the Sth,
and that he gave as q reason that he had met
friend On the evening of the 9th he
went into the college, delivered message
sent by ny son to one of the teachers, and in
stead OF remaining to take up his studies as
usual, turned and went Immediately out. he
has not been seen by anybody else. nave
made inquiries Of all the Danes whom know
and none of them had seen him or heard OF
him The Scheppelmanns tell me that they did
not know that he had any acquaintance IN
town. l have watched the papers and noticed
all accounts of suicides by drowning, etc but
none answered to his description. As soon as
returned fiom San Francisco ] wrote to Hans
Jepson, OF sheridan, Nevada, as ne was the only
other acquaintance of Niels' whose address
knew. told him of the disappearance OF Nlels,
and in his reply he seemed very much surprised,
for he said that Niels had written him that he
liked the place very much and was perfectly
satisfied. A few days after letter came 70 my
office for Niels pOstmarked Topaz. From that l
knew that ne could not have gone back home.
1 then Immediately wrote to Mr.. Jepson and re-
quested him to notify the folks of Niels d1sap-
pearance. Had known your address l should
have written to you direct but all my CORE
spondence had been with Hans Jepson, ana
knew no other way of communicating with
Niels' friends. ] inclose herewith two letters
which have come since he left. His things are
safe at my house, and if you desire it, will be
sent to you by express, as I suppose you are his
brother had heard him say that he had a
brother somewhere in California, but did not Ie-
member where.
| have spared no pains to get a clue to Niels'
whereabouts, but 1 cannot find the slightest
trace of him. do not know what to tell you.
While there are some things that point to his
leaving voluntarily, am still OF the opinion
that ne was enticed away by the friend" whom
he had met, and that foul play has been the re.
suit. shall continue to make inquiries, and
should I obtain any information coheerIi lIl
him l VIII telegraph you Immediately. Very
truly yours, T. c. ATKINSON
FOUL PLAY FEAERD.
Mr.. Holmdrup, the brother who re-
sides at Bodie, wrote to Chief Lee under
date of November 10Th, entreating that
official 10 leave no stone unturned in the
search for his brother Niels Continuing
the brother suggests to the Chief that Niels
may have met with foul play. Niels, be
saws was not of q morose or peculiar dis
position, and would not have gone of
without saying something about it to the
Atkinsons. Neither would he have left
his clothing there. the writer expressed
himself as surprised that Niels should re-
tuSe 10 90 duN Wuih QeSiSudtSO W young
Atkinson, and intimates that young Ed
ward knows more about the matter than
he has seen fiji TO divulge. He says be
does not mean to accuse young Atkinson
as directly 10 blame for Niels' disappear
ance. but he thinks that the young man
is holding something back.
Those who know the missing man are
positive that he was perfectly sane, and
could not have wandered off.
Chief Lee wrote last night to both broth.
ers, telling them of his utter inability sc
far. to discover any trail of the missing
man, and advising them to advertise il
various newspapers, giving description
etc. in the hope that some clew might bt
gained which could not otherwise be Sc
cured.
AMUSEHENTs.
At the Metropolitan Theater this and to
morrow evening the theater-goers of Sacra
mento will have an opportunity of enjoy