Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1894-01-11
STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE
MIR. LAWRENCE PULl.IAM's
u HERE ABOUrs NOT KNOWN.
He Left Here ON saturday II, fore
New Years For Philadelphia,
Hut, Apparenily, Did Not Go
There-He Was In had Health.

There-He Was in BAD Health.
Lawrence Pulliam. cashier of the Ma
tional bank OF Asheville, left the city on
the $50 p. m. train Saturday. December
80, since which time nothing has been
learned OF his whereabouts.
Mr.. Pulliam. a few days before his de-
parture, stated that he had made up his
mind to 20 to Philadelphia to undergo
treatment at the hands Of DIR. Thomas.
physician of that city, and an old
friend OF Mr.. Pulliam's father.
A package containing $4,000 in cash
was made up to be sent to cores.
pondents of the bank of which Mr..
Pulliam was cashier, in Washington and
New York. Instead Of expressing the
remittance Mr.. Pulliam, it is believed,
took the money with him.
On the same day package of coupons
was expressed to New York, and it should
have arrived at the destination at the
same time as did the money. In due
time, about the middle Of last week,
the bank here received an acknowledg.
ment Of the receipt OF the package sent
bv express but nothing was heard of the
cash carried by Mr.. Pulliam.
In this condition OF thingsa meeting of
the bank directors was called, and an
examination made, which showed that
no larger amount than the $4,000 was
uuaccounted for. Then W. w. Jones,
ESQ.,, as attorney for the bank, was sent
to New York to inquire whether there
was any further deficiency there. Mr..
Jones found no further complications in
New York and returned last Tuesday.
The books of the bank here have been
thoroughly examined and there has been
developed no shortage further than the
amount stated. The bank will not be a
loser in any event, as it is guaranteed
against loss through Mr.. Pulliam by a
bond Of $4,000 in the Fidelity and
Casualty company of New York. So, il
the $4,000 is not recovered the
guarantee company will be ths
only loser. In regard to this, W.
H. Penland. cashier Of the First
National bank, when asked about it by
THE CITIZEN, explained that the guar
antee of the New York company required
them to make good any loss through
shortage in the accounts of an officer
bonded by them in case such shortage
should be found to exist, and that it was
the custom OF all conservative banks tc
bond their officials in this manner as {
protection against loss.
The new $ of this occurrence has causct
II profound sensation in Asheville, and il
the topic of general conversation on tn
street. Mr.. Pulliam has b en- one c! th
city's best known men, both in business
and social circles, having spent all Of hi
life in this city, the town of his birth. H
. was man Of great energy, and OF goot
business capacity. Regarding this I'M
fortunate affair, and considering hi
place in the community. it is but justic
to Mr.. Pulliam to make statement O
fact which is believed BY many to b
an explanation of his absence.
: Mr.. Pulliam has been in poor healtl
for several years. his ailment bein,
known as kidney cole. For month
past he has been subject to perlodica
attacks OF his trouble, which attack
occurred nearer together with each sue
cceding scizuic.
DR.. John Hey Williams, one of Mr
Pulliams physicians, in conversation
with THE CITIZEN today, said that h
was called to Mr.. Pulliam's house re
Gently while that gentleman had one q
these attacks. The pain which MI
Pulliam suffered at such times was mos
excruciating requiring the use of nor
phine and chlorotorm to relieve it. Th
disappearance OF the pain would leav
the patient very weak and depressed i
spirits. DR.. Williams, considering it t
be his duty to do so, talked plainly wit
Mr.. Pulliam, telling him his exact cond
tion, and informing him Of the inevitabl
result unless an operation should be pei
formed. DR.. Williams referring to MI
Puliam's disappearance. was inclined t
the belief that he had had one of hi
attacks while on the train and had bee
taken off and conveyed to one of til
manv hospitals in Washington or Phil'
delphia where he is under treat ment. O
it may be that Mr.. Pulliam, with h
mind affected by pain and the tn 'ugl
of the possible outcome of the operation
had left the train and wandered, no OF
knows where. He had certainly bee
greatly depressed in spirits for son
time.
DR.. Chas. S. Jordan, who has attcnde
Mr.. Pulliam during numerous attack
also states to THE CITIZEN that Il
patient was very much depressed c
account of his condition. DR.. Jorda
says further that Mr.. Pulliam when
left carried syringe and morphine
administer himself in case of an attack.
Concerning Mr.. Pulliams destinatie
when he left Ashcyille, Frank r. Darb
the K. & d. ticket agent at the depo
\ tells THE CITIZEN that he remembe
selling ticket to Mr.. Pulliam about I
time he ia thought to have left, and
under the impression, although not po
tive, that his ticket read to philadelphi
Traiumaster X. p. Foster says he "a
Mr.. Pulliam on the train at Terrell
near the Swami anoa tunnel. In reply
the question as to where he was goin
Mr.. Pulliam replied that he was on
going on little trip" Mr.. Pulliau
,. usual answer his friends recall, to ST.
an inquiry, though at the same point
- said to Hardy Lee of this city that
was going to Philadelphia to undergo
surgical operation. Mr.. Pulliam is al
reported as having been seen as far ca
as Morganton.
A telegram was sent to DR.. Thomi
the physician in Philadelphia to who
Mr.. Pulliam was expected to go, inqu
ing IL he had been seen, but the reply "
in the negative. similar telegram
inquiry was sent, with like result,
Johns Hopkins hospital at Baltimore.
Besides being cashier of the Natioi
bank Of Asheville, Mr.. Pulliam was ,
head Of the firm of Pulliam & Webb,
surance agents. He lived in quiet st
and did not have expensive tastes.
owns house and lot on North M,
street. although he has been living
Bcarden avenue. He is brother.ih-l
Of Robt. NJ. Furman, State Auditor
- NDrth "a oroI;oo oud hns n fo ,,,;ly 4,