The morning call., 1894-09-18
Mysterious Disappearance
of a Lady.
NOT SEEN SINCE SUNDAY.
She Is the Plaintiff in SenSa-
tiOnal Suit.
HER NAME Is MRS. IKE ODERKIRK
The Case Is to Be Heard in the
superior Court, Santa Cruz, To-
Morrow Morning.

The police and others are endesvorlng
to elucidate the mystery of lady's dis
appearance. which may yet lead TO sensa-
tional developments.
The lady is the wife of Ike Oderkirk,
who runs the business of a blacksmith in
San Benito County. She is a brunette, "a
years of age, of medium size and pretty
and graceful In ner appearance and man
ners.
Mrs. Oderkirk is the plaintiff in a sensa-
tioual suit now pending in the Superior
Court of Santa Cruz The suit is against
w. Ely. a capitalist and prominent citizen
of Santa Cruz and is to recover from him
the sum of $4,000 damages for assault
with criminal intent.
MIR. and Mrs. Oderkirk, like many an
other married couple. were anxious to &C
qure wealth, and they purchased a
fas hioD able lodging house business in
Santa Cruz, thinking it would be a good
investment during the summer season.
So while Mr.. Oderkirk carried on his
blacksmithing business in San Bepito
County Mrs. Oderkirk went to Santa
Cruz 10 manage the fashionable lodging
house.
One of her dodgers was Mr.. Ely, the cap
italist One day last May, Mrs. Oderkirk
alleges. while ali her dodgers except Mr.
Ely and young man were away at a
picnic, she was taking an afternoon nap in
bed when Mr.. Ely entered her private
room. His room adjOined hers, and there
was door communicating between the
two rooms, which by mistake had been left
unlocked.
She was reused from her sleep by his
attempt to crminally assault her. She
struggled desperately and screamed loudly
for help. Her screams were heard by the
young man referred to, who rushed into
her room and saw Ely struggling with her.
The appearance of the young man upon
the scene put an end to Ely's attempt.
The suit for $4,000 damages was shortly
afterwsrd Instituted, and was to come on
for tlial ON September IL. On that day,
however, it was postponed till tomorrow.
For some time past Mrs. 0derkirk and
her son, Fred, boy about II years of age,
have been living at S04 Geary street. Last
Sunday morning she went downtown to
make inquiry as to the departure of trains
for Santa Cruz, as she and her son In
tended leaving for there Yesterday morn
ing, so as to be in readiness for the trial to-
morrow morning.
While waiting for the car on Geary street
to take her downtown she observed a
young man standing on the opposite side
of the street, who jumped on the car after
she had taken her seat. When she went
into the ticket Office on Market street she
again noticed this young man and it struck
her that he was shadowing her. He was
there when she left the Office, and as she
crossed the street he followed her,
She got on a Geary.street car at the cor
ner of KeaIny street TO return home and
he jumped on beside her. When the con-
ductor came forward to collect the fares
the young man handed him a ten cent
piece, rsmarking, that is for this lady
and myself"
Mrs. Oderkirk protested and said, 81
don't want you. stranger. to pay my
fare"
That's all right" smiliDgly replied the
young man. 81 saw you at the ticket
office. By the way, where are you going?"
Her suspicious we're by this time thor
oughly aroused, and to put him off the
scent she told him she was going to Sacra-
meDto.
what happy coincidence" said the
young man. 81 am going there, also."
Then he tried to engage her In converse
ton. but she repealed him. and he left The
car at the corner of Leavenworth street.
She told her son about the young man,
whom she described as having blonde hair
and a mustache almost bordering on an
auburn tint he passed it off by saying it
was likely some young fellow who wanted
to make "mash."
In fha off -
called at the house and handed her a note
purporIing to be signed by Mr.. Cassin of
Cassin & Langley, San Jose. who are her
attorneys in the suit against Ely. She
read the contents of the note to her son. 1t
asked her TO go at once to the Grand Hotel
to consult with him as to her suit She
remarked to her son that the writing did
not strike her as being that Of Mr.. Cassin,
but being anxious about her suit, she went.
She asked the clerk at the hotel if Mr..
Cassin was in. He told her he had not
registered there and as he always put up
there when in the city he did not believe
he could be in town.
THAT is funny" said Mrs. Oderkirk. s'I
received note from him a few minutes
ago to call here and see him. There's nv
card; tell him, If he should come, to call
at my house II he wishes to see me-"
The clerks curiosity was aroused and
he watched her till she disappeared round
the corner of Market street That was the
last seen or heard of her.
That night her son became seriously
alarmed at her prolonged absence and
went to her sister. Mrs. Flavin, 400 Ellis
street, to see if she was there. Then they
went to the house of a cousin named
Moore. but he had not seen her. The three
kept up an unavailing search till late Sum
day night and yesterday morning they
called at police headquarters and asked
the help of the detectives in tracing her.
kilograms we're sent to all places where
it was thought she might have gone, but
no news of her could be obtained. She
had disappeared as mysteriously as il the
earth had opened up and swallowed her.
The police strongly suspect that she has
hean kidnaDpd.