The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-26

A. 3. Elder, young attorney who has
already had more than his share of motor
iety, is now in for another chapter in
the book which goes to make the sum.
This time new phase in his character is
developed, his former exploits being of a
kind which led most people to the con-
clusion that he was a good natured, but
foolish fellow. Now, however, he is
charged with the crime of embezzlement
the victim being his own mother, and
the sheriff's officers are on the hunt for
him.
The circumstances leading UP to the
present C.enoument are that a short time
ago Mrs. Elder decided to her son small
piece OF real estate upon which she lived
on Eleventh East street near Third South
street, In order that the son might bring
suit i'll the courts to have the title to il
quoted, son of her late husband by
a former wife laying some claim to it.
very recently Judge Zane gave Judgment
in favor of Mrs. Elder and soon after
wards a. 3. Elder, IN whose name it
stood, commenced negotiations to mort
gage the property, and intimately sue
ceeded in doing SO with the consent of
his mother, who, it is alleged, was to re-
celve the $500 thus raised on the property
However, instead of turning over the pro-
ceeds, it is alleged the young man put
the money in his pocket and skipped out
Tor parts unknown, and Mrs. Elder yes
terday SVvore to complaint charging her
son with embezzlement.
Young Elder, it appears, roomed and
boarded at I76 South First West street,
and on Thursday night packed his trunk
and tool; his departure without telling
any of his friends that he was going
He left q note for his room mate, how
ever, simply stating that he had left the
city, but giving no intlmation of where
he was going and promising to write and
explain when he got settled.
A few days before his departure he
rugged himself out in fine new clothing,
long Prince Albert coat, silk hat patent
leather shoes and a profusion of cheap
JeWelry.
1t is supposed by some that his destina-
tlon is san Jose, where the young lady,
a MISS Park, with whom he said he had
some KIND OF marriage contract, resided.
Miss Park was in Chicago, but recently
returned to her home at San Jose. Moth
ing, however, Is certain about his going
to San Jose and it is only the supposition
OF some Of his friends that that was his
intention
Elder. it is stated, has left a goodly
NUMBER OF debts in his wake and
many mourning creditors have been
ahxlously inquiring for him during the
past few days. He is of a very pc
cullar make up, and some of
nose who were most closely associated
with him express great doubts of his en-
tire sanity, and the, fact that about
month ago he made determined at
tempt to commit suicide gives color to
this theory.
1t appears that he took a large dose
OF morphine with suicidal intent, and
after taking the drug sat down in his
room to write an ante-mortem state
ment. in which he stated that owing to
financial difficulties and disappointments
OF various kinds he had determined to
end his troubles. He was found by his
room mate in the act of writing his
statement and Elder remarked to him that
he hadn'. long to live as he had taken
poison. The effects of the drug were
plainly visible and soon he fell into a
state of collapse, but medical assistance
promptly summoned just succeeded in
saving his life.
Elders mother is a widow and poor
having earned scanty living since her
husbands death some two or three years
ago by the labors of her hands, and the
little home which she found herself
obliged to mortgage, was all she had in
the world. 1t is said that when she de-
cided to borrow the money on the pro-
perty she agreed to give her son a por-
ton of ii to pay off his debts and set
him on Ills feet, but the unfilial boy, it
is alleged, robbed his poor old mother of
the whole amount.
Photographs and minute descriptions
of the missing attorney have been sent
to officers of the law at many points
where he might have gone, and there is
very little doubt he will be captured
within short time.