The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-18


of the most popular and widely known
regular army officers stationed at the
Preside, is missing and his friends are
excited by the gravest fears. The lieu
tenant was last seen on Wednesday,
and although the most thorough search
has been made for him he cannot be
found. Certain facts in connection with
his disappearance have given cause for
the suspicion that he has made away
with himself and that his dead body is
hidden somewhere on the Presidio
reservation.
On the afternoon Of the day Of his
disappearance Lieutenant Neall should
have reported to his superiors. His
failure to do so led to the inquiry. 1t
was rumored that the officer had been
playing cards heavily of late and his
accounts at the reservation were ex-
amined. The result was discovery
that startled the friends and associates
of the missing man. The investigators
have reported that Lieutenant Neall is
short in his accounts, but to what ex-
tent has not yet been ascertained. It
is believed that the amount is at least
$4,000.
The affair has created a sensation at
the Presidio and at the local clubs
where Lieutenant Neall was a frequent
and welcome visitor. For several years
tie missing lieutenant has been secre-
tary and treasurer of the Presidio Club.
He was also canteen officer of the
reservation. In both capacities he
handled large sums of money and, so
far as any of his friends knew. fulfilled
his trust honorably. AS secretary and
Gnt Neal had IL his keeBing she fstnds
contributed by the officers OF the reser-
walton. AS canteen officer the missing
man had charge of the receipts which
accumulated from the daily purchases
of the men of the reservation. An in
vestigation of both accounts, as far as
it has progressed, shows, it is claimed,
that $1,000 of the funds of the Presidio
Club and about $4,000 of the money of
the canteen are missing. 1t is expected
that the inquiry will be concluded to-
day, when the result will be submitted
to General Shafter.
The disappearance and disgrace Of
Lieutenant Neall have shocked all who
knew him, and he was known to many.
He is a Californian and was graduated
from West Point in 1883 as a second
lieutenant. He was assigned to Troop
of the Fourth United States Cavalry
Throughout all his service in the Fed
eral army he remained with this troop
and in 1890 was promoted to the rank of
first lieutenant. His service brought
him to the frontier and he distinguished
himself early as a most competent Off
Ger of exceptional bravery. For many
years he was in the field with General
Miles, whose commendation he earned.
During his stay at the Preside Lieu
tenant Neall made himself a general ia
vorite with officers and men. Lieuten-
ant Jacks" word was more than
command where command is law to
those who hear it. He tempered dis
cipline with courtesy to the meanest
private within the range of his author
ity. That is one reason why the Pre-
sidio hills have been searched for two
days since the moment it was reported
that Lieutenant Jack Neall was re-
ported missing, and the suspicion of his
closest friends was authority for the
fear that he had taken his own life
In other than military circles Lieu
tenant Neall was also universal ia
yorite He was familiar figure at the
Bohemian and University clubs, and If
he handled the cards too often and lost
TOO frequently his friends shrugged
their shoulders and said that he could
afford to do so. He rarely gambled at
the reservation and no one suspected
that his losses elsewhere were material.
This was Lieutenant Jack as his
friends knew him. But last Wednesday
night another phase of his character
was revealed and those who heard the
story of it were panied and shocked
rather than indignant.
Lieutenant Neall did not report to
his superiors as it was his duty to do.
He had neither a leave of absence nor
an excuse from service. He knew quite
as we'll as his superiors the penalty for
his absence. His own rigid regard for
discipline made his superior officers
Immediately suspicious that something
of a serious nature had happened to
him.
Inquiry was at once made at his
home, but he was not there, and his
distracted wife could give no explana-
ton for his disappearance. He had been
seen on the reservation during the
afternoon, but no one could tell where
he had gone. He had seemed to be in
his usual mood but his neglect of duty
was proof that something was seriously
wrong. A search of the Presidio hills
was made, but the missing lieutenant
could not be found. Inquiry was made
at downtown clubs and at places that
Lieutenant Neall frequented, but the
inquiries were fruitless.
An investigation of Lieutenant
Nealrs books was then begun under
the orders of Colonel Charles E. Comp
ton. This investigation has revealed
the fact that $4,000 which was on deposit
in a local bank to the credit of the
Preside canteen has been drawn out