The herald., 1894-03-24
BAYARD L SMITH DISAPPEARS.
Ex-senator Fair Falls in With
Him on a Curious Trip.
A Strange Story Told About the Ex-
Pasadenan.
Smith, Before Leaving Here, Reported
30 Have Got Large sums on His
Wtfo's Property-Gay OOm-
panions at Yuma.

tBayard T. Smith. during the boom
tine, was one OF the most prominent
figures in the San Gabriel valley. He
owned the beautiful Oak Knoll ranch
near Pasadena, now the home OF Maj. e.
l.. Stern. He was in partnership with
E. o. Webster, who cut such a big
swath some few years ago. According
20 the following, taken from the San
Francisco Examiner, Mr.. Smith has dis
appeared nnder pecnliat circumstances.
He was pleasant little gentleman, of
amisble character, and an inveterate'
cigarette smoker.
Bayard T. Smith has disappeared from
the city under such strange eircum-
etances that yesterday those who knew
OF it were indulging in much gossip. 1t
appears Rlso that he was not alone when
he left here, and that he took a large
amount OF money with him. His wife,
who resides at 72l Geary street, was the
daughter of Judge Hyde, the first alcalde
of San Francisco, for whom Hyde street
is named.
Bayard Smith left here about Feb
ruary 14th last, osteneibly to look after
important real estate inteteets at Yuma,
Ariz. He had expected to be absent
but about a week, but two weeks rolled
awsy and then his wife and friends were
surprised by reading dispatch to this
effect in the morning paper from Ydma,
Ariz.:
Mr.. and Mrs. Bayard t. Smith, ac-
companied by ex-senator Fair, his sec
retary and party of irends, left here
today for q hunting and pleasure trip up
the Colorado river.
THEY GREW ANXIOUS.
Then the relatives grew anxious. They
knew that the Mrs. Smith referred to
could not be the real one for she had not
left the city. Detective John Curtin was
employed and an investigation was set
afoot. IL resulted in the finding of a
state OF facts that surprised all con-
cerned.
Mrs. Smith, as one OF the heirs Of the
rich Hyde estate, owns fourth interest
in the ll5 feet on the north side of Mar
ket street extending from Madison &
Burke's real estate Office up to and in
Guiding the building that Easton d
Eldridge's Office is in. For some time
mp to December last, as is stated. there
was mortgage of 10000 on the fourth
interest possessed by Mrs. Smith. About
January Let Mr.. Smith mortgaged the
property for $25 600 and paid the $10,-
600 later, or not long before he left. he
mortgaged the property again for $685.
00G OF this amount he lent $4,000 to j.
A. Hall. the attorney.
HAD MONEY LEFT.
Some other sums were also dispensed
In the ways of business, but be yet had
several thousands OF dollars left. When
the aforesaid dispatch was received Mrs.
Smith was very greatly surprised, and
at once set about making inquiries. She
was more surprised when, as is now
claimed. she learned of the two last
mortgages. They had been duly &C
knowedged by her in connection with
Mr.. Smith before a notary, but Mrs.
Smith said she had no idea at the time
that they were mortgages. Her hus-
band had asked her to sign certain docu-
ments and ehe had done so. This was
the story as told yesterday by persons
who claimed to know much about the
transaction. N. H. Long and ]. A. Hall
negotiated the $25. 900 loan. The 10000
loan at frat secured was from e. A.
Haines, while q loan of $26, 900 more
was obtained from Mrs. Mary Oreigh-
ton, the vile of Peter Creighton the
contractor.
L. w. Howe, q broker in the Orocker
building, was instrumental in making
the last loan, and it appears that about
$500 in commissions due him was not
paid at the time Smith left. When the
news came that Smith WAS spending his
money lsvishly at Yuma, he grew
anxious and at once set out for that city.
On his arrival there, which was on
March Sd, he found some more queer
things. Smith himself was not there.
He had lett ON the previous Wednesday
morning for Ell Paso, and his Compan-
ion, an actress OF this city, had left on
the came Wednesday evening for San
francisco.
OFF FOR Ell PAso.
r Thereupon Howe set out in all haste
I for Ell Paso to intercept Smith. He ar
rived there the next day, only to learn
that Smith had tRrried in El Paso but a
: sew hours. He had previously an
nounced that he was going to Mexico,
and also that he was going east and that
the young lady was coming around by
San Francisco and would meet him soon
in the east. Howe WAS much nom
plused in Ell Psso. For time he could
get no trace OF Smith whatever. Finally
he learned that man with two shot
guns and rifle had crossed over the