Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-21
LED A DOUBLE LIFE.
The Sensational Disappearance of a
Philadelphia Broker.
c. L. PETERSON FAILS In BUSINESS
Then He Leaves the City and Divorce Suit
Is Likely to Follow.
HIS INDEBTEDNESS IS VERY SMALL
ESPECIAL rxIxeuAn TO THE DISPATCH,

ESPECIAL rKLxeRAM TO TIE pIsPArcHi
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. GO. L. Peter
son, the stock broker, who last week failed
to meet his obligations on the Exchange, has
disappeared from the city and left no trace
of his whereabouts. Peterson was rather
conservative speculator, and is said not to
have been inclined to hazardous plunging,
but last Saturday he was caught on the bull
side of the market, and finding himself un-
able to borrow. permitted 4,500 shares of
Reading stock to be sold under the rule for
his account.
Since Saturday he has not put in an ap-
pearance on the floor of the Exchange, and
the brokers with whom he had business
transactions are beginning to ask themselves
when his accounts with them are likely to
be settled. Peterson had an Office in the
basement of the Drexel building. The
office, however, is closed, aud the curtains
are closely drawn over the windows. Two
| or three times day an Office boy goes there
to get any mail which may have arrived,
and then locks up the Office and goes away
again.
His Dealings Were Not Heavy.
Peterson had an account with the First
National Bank, but never to any great ex-
tent. At present there is balance to his
credit OF trifie over $40. At the Clearing
House, IL was stated that Peterson's business
was never to anv great volume, and that his
outstanding obligations at the time of his
failure were very slight. The more promi-
nent firms on the Exchange concurred in
this, one broker stating that he was caught
for about $50. The total Indebtedness of
Peterson is estimated at not more than
s., 900, consequently his mysterious disap-
pearanee has excited considerable curl
osity among members of the Exchange who
are conversant " III his business standing.
1t is openly stated that domestic and not
business troubles are the cause of Peterson's
absence. Inquiry at the Peterson residence,
in Tulpehocken street, Germantown, ELECTED
the information that Peterson was not at
home, and that his family were ignorant of
his whereabouts Friends of the family say
that divorce suit is imminent, and that
Mrs. Peterson Will shortly present such evil
dence to the court as will obtain for her an
absolute divorce. That there is a woman in
the case is admitted, ss it is we'll known that
Peterson has been living with a woman
named Lizzie Wallace for a year at least.
Lived Double Life.
Peterson hired house last summer in the
neighborhood of Seventeenth and Diamond
streets, which he furnished in a most lux
uriant fashion. Here he lived portion of
his time. occasionally spending few days
with his family at Germantown. To-day
the Wallace residence was the scene OF con-
siderable hustle and confusion. Early in the
day wagon drove up to the door and the
most costly furniture was packed in it and
taken away. During the day three wagon
loads of furniture we're removed, but every
attempt to gain admittauce to the house
proved failure.
Late tonight it was stated that Lizzie
Wallace had left her residence and the city,
and had gone to join Peterson. A promi-
nent broker, who said he was a close friend
of Peterson's said:
Peterson has acted foolishly in this mat
ter. There is trouble ahead and he knew
it, but he should have had the courage to
face the music. He could not stand the pace,
and naturally had to go under. but 1 think
he will come back and square things up be-
fore long"