The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-11

piece. II the vaiise at The hotel we're moth
ing bur changes OF linen.
The fact thai nearly an the entries IN the
notebook had been heavily scratched. for
ward ard back. with lead pencil. as Il 70
blot them out. aroused some comment az
the usorgue. on the inside es the front
cover OF the hook was the name and ad-
dress Of DetecStve McNaughgoa. Most Of
the uotes evidently referred 10 gram tran
sacrions. The name Jessie" appears sew
eral times. In one instance * Is deh8ged
or credited. n IS not apparent which. with
sliS. On another page Mss ]. X is OPP
posite an entry of $s75.s5-
Tacoma, Feb. Ia-Spscial.--H. Cranston
Potter was about 81 years old He was a
brother OF James Brown Potter. nephew
OF Bishop Potter, Of New York. and broth
er-in-iaw of J. Kennedy Todd. a prominent
New York banker. His father. Howard
Potter. is member Of the New York bank
ing firm OF Brown Bros. and manager OF
hank in London. Potter had lived here
seven years. He was formerly vice preSi-
dent of the Crescent Creamery Company.
and remained treasurer OF the West Coast
Grain Company. managed BY his father-in-
law, c. j. kershaw. Six years ago he was
married here 70 Miss kershaw. He leaves
q widow and three daughters.
The news Of Mr. pctter's death was a
great shock to his family and friends. To-
day was the fifth birthday OF Helen, his
eldest daughter, and she was giving a din
ner party TO her little friends when the sad
news arrived. The Potters are among the
most prominent society people in the city.
Mrs. Potter having been a society leader
since before her marriage. The family. as
well as Potters friends, are positive that
he could not have committed suicide. and
that his death must have been due TO ac-
cident or violence. Or. Grant s. Hicks
II Iss.<s had al h4a 10 a a.
vances the theory that he may have been
attacked hy cramps or a fainting spell
while bathing.
The first information OF Mr. Potts-s
death reached this city al 90 o'clock this
afternoon. 1t came in q telegram from u.
G. McNaUghton, detective who formerly
lived here, 10 Charles ]. Kershaw, Mr.. Pot
ter's father-in-law Not thoroughly salts
fed that the information was accurate,
Mr.. Watson. a friend of the Potters. was
telegraphed TO at San Francisco, and soon
after a reply was received by Mr.. kersaaw
TO the effect that the first report was true.
Mrs. kershew and her daughter, Mrs. Pot
ter, had been together nearly all day pre-
pairing for the approaching performance of
the ladies' amateur miustrels for the Chil-
drens home. AS soon as the message from
Mr. Watson was received. Mr.. kersa3w
and his son. Philip, who is engaged n hnsi-
ness with him, summoned DR.. Grant ;.
the handsome residence Of the Potters. on
North Cliff avenue. There the news vas
broken as gently as possible 10 Mrs. Potter.
The latter was prostrated, and Is under the
care of her physician.
Mr. Potter left Tacoma January . in
company with DIR. Archie g. Hicks, the
dentist who is Dr. Grant Hicks brother.
They took the whaleback steamer City cf
Everett for San Francisco at Everett Mon
day, January y. arriving at their destina-
tion the Thursday following. The trip was
purely one of pleasure. Mr.. Potter vas an
enthusiastic wheelman. and he and DR..
Hicks took tandem bicycle along, in.end-
ing 10 ride around the beach OF san Fran
cisco bay, from that city to San Jose. a dis
tanee of 100 miles. Mr.. Potter Is veil ac-
quainted In San Francisco. and anticipated
visiting and enjoying himself while the
Everett was being loaded.
The steamship was TO sail Thursday. ard
Mr. Potter and Dr. Hicks were 10 return
on her. on Friday DIR. Grant Hicks re-
ceived a telegram from his brother, stating
that he had lost Mr. Potter and had missed
the Everett IN trying 10 find HIM The 0ei-
lists practice here needing him, DIR. Hicks
wired him to return by the FIRST steamer.
He took the walla waIla. leaving San
Francisco Saturday, and VIII arrive at Sc
attic Wednesday.
The death of Mr.. Potter is the sole SUBJ
Union Club and among people generally
tonight Deceased had lived here several
years. and was widely known In business
and social circles. He was a member of
the Union, Country and Athletic Clubs.
Tho Potter residence on North Gin ave-
nue.. though not pretentious, is one OF the
handsonest In the city. and is located In
an ultra-fashionable neghborhood. over
looking the bay. Mrs. Potter is one Of the
leaders in Tacoma's -four hundred and
has always taken prominent part in the
social affairs Of the city.
Mr. Potter came here with nearly $4,000.
which he invested In the Crescent Cream
cry Company. the Tacoma Grocery Com
pany and other enterprises. A large por-
tion OF his investments were lost IN these
ventures. but this caused financial en-
barrsssment. as his father made him a
liberal monthly allowance.
II is not believed here that Mr. Potter
was murdered for money. he did not
have a large sum with him at the time OF
his death A local bank cashed a draft
from Mr. Potter today for small amount.
which draft was sent on Friday from San
Francisco. probably TO pay a hotel bin.
Many OF Potter's friends and associates
here believe his weakness for drink offers
the most natural reason for his death. Ia
the absence OF authentic information II is
the general opinion that Potter went out
for good time, missed the steamer Ever
EFT and finally landed in the bay OF San
,s.ssg