The evening times., 1896-08-26
WILLIAMS is STILL MISSING
Fear That Police Court Official Has
Killed Himself.
He Told Detective Carter That He
Had About Made Up His Mind
to Commit Suicide.

Friends of Col. Daniel Williams. COL
lector OF fines In District cases at the
police court had not heard FROM him up to
late hour this afternoon. 1t is feared
that he has made away with himself, as
he had several times threatened to cOin-
nit suicide.
The full story OF his alleged shortage and
of his diappearancc yesterday evening was
told In The Morning Times today. He
did not return home last night and did not
appear al his place of duty this m orning.
The last person thus far discovered who
had a conversation with Mr.. Williams yes
terday is James Hughes, messenger at
the police court. The missing man told
him shortly after O'Clock that he intended
to go down the river.
The manner of his statement was such
that Hughes Thought he meant he was going
on an excursion. He complained OF being
weary, and said he would have to take a
rest.
Mr.. Williams has been respondent and in
ill-health for over year. Repeatedly he
has expressed determination to take his
life. He has told the fact to his invalid
wife, and only few days ago, in conversa-
zion with Detective Carter. he said:
Joe. / have about made up my mind to
drown myself"
IL he has carried this threat into effect
and has sought watery grave in the bay Y
region, there is possibility that he will
never be seen or hea rd from. He hasalwa Us
been in the habit OF carrying his pistol be-
tween his home and his office. He did this
yesterday morning and left the weapon in
his desk. 1t was found there this morning
Little can yet be ascertained about the
condition OF the accounts of Williams. Mr.
sylvester. the property clerk who made the
requisition on him for 50 600. was out of the
city today. 1t viii require some time u
make a complete examination OF the books
on account of the peculiar relation they
bear to the other dockets in the police court
Everything today has been left as it was
found yesterday, and no accountants have
yet been placed upon the dockets.
II is said only two deposits are missing
These were supposed to he made period
ically with the chief clerk OF the police
department. The shortage, IL any exists.
cannot be more than 500, 1t is Claimed,
nor much less than $1,000. Beyond all
this there is the possibility that Williams
merely neglected to turn the money in
and that he can do SO at any time he
may eappear.
In support OF the contention that a short
age exists people say he played the races.
1t was generally understood by his friends
that he was frequent attendant at the
races. and he is reported to have made
almost daily trips of late to Jackson City
When lie wagered Williams had the rep
ltation of being one of the most venture
some beuOTs Oh the locaiturf. An aceuaint-
ancc OF his said today that only last Thurs
day he lost SO in addition TO sum of
$50 that he had just won an hour before.
Williams owns the pretty little house in
which his wife and two sons live at No.
2o3 Sixth street southeast. The prop
within the last three weeks he is said to
have lifted a mortgage on this property
| and left ii entirely unincumbered.
His Oldest son is the driver OF the Fifth
precinct patrol wagon. His father bor-
| rowed $500 from him. ii is said, 10 COIN
plete the sum needed for the payment Of
the debt on the house.
The missing man was one OF the most
popular and well-Iiked persons in tic city.
| II e belonged TO several secret organizations.
and was an ex-soldier. His friends believe
| that IL any shortage at all exists in Ills ac.
| counts IL represents money taken to bridge
| over a temporary embarrassment and not
| in the qualification of any criminal de
| si