Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-07-04
CHAPTER I'LL

CHAPTER I'LL
On. the 18th Of the following Novem-
Der, under proper. headlines, appeared
in one of the metropolitan papers the
following article:
"Inquiries have recently been made
among the acquaintances and business
associates in Wall street of MIR. Charles
Powell, with a view to discovering, II
possible, his present whereabouts.
"Mr. Powell's disappearance was one
of those mysterious episodes wholly in
explicable either to his friends and ac-
uuaintances or to the police. He was q
bachelor Of sedate and regular habits,
entirely devoted to the pursuit Of busi-
ness In operations in the stock market
he had been successful, accommodating q
fine property. The last week in May he
one morning made known to his clerk,
John Kendall, his determination to
leave the city, and after putting his
affairs in such shape that his business
interests could be protected by Kendall
Mr.. Powell disappeared Word from
him in some form was expected from
day to day at the Office, but as the weeks
and months have passed without any
news from him whatever, considerable
anxiety has developed, and it has final
" been determined to put the matter in
the hands of the detectives.
"Mr. Powell has not been seen since
he entered his apartments on tho even
ing Of June l. The janitor says that he
appeared as usual on that occasion. He
did not see Mr.. Powell go out that
evening or the following morning. The
missing mans rooms have been exam
ined, but they furnish no clew as to the
probable direction he took upon leaving
the city. It has also been discovered
that no one here knows anything Of Mr..
Powell's early life. Kendall, the clerk
left so mysteriorsly in the possession Of
his employers property, says he does
not believe that Powell had any living
relatives, although he is not certain. He
also says that Powell carried with him
less than 81 200 in money"
This was followed in other papers by
several sensational articles, in which
all the details concerning the romance
Of John Kendall and Anna Willis were
dwelt upon with various embellish-
ments. Nov. 20 one Of the papers con-
tanned the following paragraph:
"John Kendall, who says he was Left
in charge of Nh. Powell's affairs, and
who exhibits as proof typewriter
document which it is claimed bears MI.
Powell's signature, appears to have
grown exceedingly nervous over the
stories published concerning his en-
ployer's disappearance. He was much
disturbed yesterday afternoon when in
formed by reporter that many enter
tained suspicious that he knew more
about the case than he had told. 1t is
understood that liberal reward is to
be offered for a solution Of the mys-
terry"
Within the next four weeks there ap-
peared in the newspapers Of many cities
and larger towns advertisements offer
ing a reward Of $4,000 for information
that might lead to the discovery of
Charles Powell, alive or dead Similar
advertisements also appeared in various
newspapers throughout Europe, Canada,
Mexico and South America
A year from the date of Mr.. Powell's
disappearance q review Of the whole
case occupied several columns in one OF
tho New York papers. The story Of the
disappearance was retold, followed In
detail by the steps taken to unravel the
mystery. The advertisements had pro-
duced crop Of impostors who had en-
deavored by every possible subterfuge to
obtain the reward The review con-
cluded with the following summary:
1.-THE fullest possible investigation
has been made, but the mystery remains
as profound as when Charles Powell first
disappeared There is no probability
that it will ever be solved, unless
through the confession Of some one who
accomplished his destruction, for 1t is
now believed by every one who has had
any connection with the case that Pow
ell was murdered and his body destroy
ed months before his absence was made
known to the authorities
1T must be remembered that Ken
dali, by the operation Of power OF at.
torney, was placed in full possession OF
the securities, deposits, currency and
personal effects Of the rich speculator.
Those who knew Powell say he had new
er before betrayed sufficient faith In any
man to 30 completely trust him with his
fortune. So far as known, Kendall has
lived quiet, honest life, but the ro-
mantle story told by both Kendall and
his wife concerning Powell's sudden
change Of manner, his anxiety for their
immediate marriage and his advice to
Kendall concerning certain investments
he might make Oh his own account, are