The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-02
LOST LEONE PETERS.
A Pretty Stage.Strnck Girl Takes
Leave of Home.
She Is Sweet 16 and Charles Lanham Is
Charged With Abducting Her-Hs Says
He is Extremely Innocent.

Charles Lanham, handsome young man,
dressed 10 garments OF fashionable cut,
was arrested by Detective Anthony slast
night and lodged in the City Prison. Lam
ham Is % years old. and says that his home
is in indianapolis. He came to the coast in
February last, and while in this city has
lived at the house of his mother, 623 Larkin
street,
Lanham is charged with the abduction of
Leonie. the pretty 17-year-old daughter of
William Peters, a commercial traveller, who
lives at 204 Golden Gate avenue The girl
left her home, without giving any intima-
ton Of her intentions, on last Tuesday after
noon, and ever since her whereabouts have
been unknown to her parents.
ATTRACTIVE AND TALENTED.
According to her father Leonie was an
attractive girl, gifted with musical talent of
a high order. She had been educated at
SMELLS and Mills seminaries, and left the
latter institution a few months ago.
She was anxious 20 become an opera singer.
and received an offer from the Huntington
company, which she wanted to accept, but
all her appeals for permission to do so her
parents replied with an emphatic refusal.
Early In the afternoon OF her disappear
ance she left the house, saying that she was
going to return q book that had been loaned
her by member of the opera troupe. She
went from the house to the home of her
grandparents, several blocks distant, and
remained with the old people until 4:30
o'clock. Where she then went is the
mystery which her distressed parents and
the police are trying to solve, and the young
man behind the bars declares that he can
give them no assistance.
BLAME THE YOUNG MAN.
The Peters blame Lanham for their
daughters disappearance, because they
think that he induced her to elope with
him. He was introduced to Leonie six
weeks ago by mutual friend, whose name.
he says. is Emma Forsyth. The girls father
says that Lanham and his daughter met
frequently, and that on one occasion he
paced the sidewalk opposite the house for
an hour until the girl came out. Notes
passed between them, and finally Mrs.
Peters Intercepted a letter, unsigned, but in
Lanham's handwriting, urging Lconie to
elope with him and promising her an easy
life ard all the fine clothes her heart could
desire. Mrs. Peters destroyed the eplstle
and a1monished her daughter to have moth
ing more to do with the supposed writer.
Then came the day on when Leonie took
French leave.
CONTRADICTORY STORIES.
Peters at Oncs went to Lanham's home
and was told by the young mans mother
that he had gone TO San Jose; but at the
city OF gardens the young man could not be
found. but young lady had been there who
looked like Leonle. Lanham returned to
thus city on Thursday and told Peters that
he knew nothing about the girl. He said he
had been in San Jose, and while there had
stopped at the Cremorne Hotel. Peters
learned that there is no such place in San
Jose, and then secured the services of the
detective.
Lanham. when interviewed in the prison,
described LsOnie as a very pretty girl. with
large brown eyes and curling auburn hair
falling upon her shoulders. He positively
declared that he had never written a line to
her, and detied her parents to produce proof
to the contrary. Furthermore, he asserted
that he had never been in San Jose, but
that he had told Peters and Anthony that
he bad been there because he did not care
to reveal his business to any one.