The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-15
NOTE FOUND ON
THE CANAL BANK
But the Detectives Take Little Stock
in Its Value.
Mr.. J. T. ALVEY STILL MISSING.
All Clues Are Being Worked TO the
End-May Not Have Been on the
Canal nk-Probability Of His
Having Gone 60 New Orleans.

The case Of Mr.. John II. Alvey is still
one Of the mysteries OF recent years.
Despite the strenuous efforts that have
been made. and that are still being made.
his whereabouts dead or alive, are un-
known.
The Richmond Detective Agency is using
exhaustive measures 20 locate him. Every
possible clue is being run down. but SO
far none of the many clues and theories
that have developed or been advanced
have tended to clear mp the mystery.
1t was thought that possibly Mr.. Alvey
had wandered off toward North Carolina.
where, II was said, that he had held some
business relations with one Of the direc-
tors OF the Ashevillc Bank. through which
transaction it was thought he had lost
some money. but this theory was aban-
doned when IL was stated by a gentle
man very close TO Mr.. Alveys business
relations that that matter had all been
settled up. and there was nothing further
in il 10 cause him trouble or worry.
"The only thing Of a financial nature
that would have caused him 20 worry
and brood over" said a relative yester
day evening was his connection with
the Iipscomb estate. Of which he was co..
administrator. His bond I'm this matter
amounted 10 10000 and. in view OF the
complications in IL affairs Of the estate.
he worried considerably, as the bond I'M
volved almost his entire possessions. and
he had conceived an idea that he would
lose it,
There are certain claimants 20 por-
D. fr.rr hfrs
fight for their alleged share, and that Is
the point upon which Mr.. Alvey's fears
hinged.
RUMORS DISPELLED.
The rumor that Mr.. Alvey had been seen
near Toano was dispeled by careful in
vestigation by Mr.. A. NJ. BrOwnell, gem
eral manager OF the Detective Agency.
The man seen was one OF a pair OF men
who were put off a train near that place.
They had started from Newport News and
became dsorderly on the train. Ihey
had plenty of money, and had offered 70
pay for food that they had begged No
resemblance 20 Mr. Alvey was found IN
either Of them.
Another rumor that a bareheaded man
had been seen up the James river branch
was found 10 have been groundless.
The two detectives who have been
working up the canal found a soiled slip
of paper on the path near HaXals yes
terday afternoon. The paper was page
from a calendar for October, ana had
evidently been used by some workman
for keeping his extra time, as opposite
the dates We're certain figures on the
back Of the paper were the words, writ
ten i'm an unbusiness-llhe hand: Dear
wife, have there # broke of, and
some distance below the word Alvey"
was lust discernabe The style OF chlro'
eraphy and the misspelt name Indicated
that some one had conceived the idea OF
perpetrating a cruel JOKE.
The paper was carefully examined by
Mr. Brownell through a magnifying glass,
and he placed little faith I'm its value
The detectives and friends OK MI AiVey
are using all vigilance in the search ana
hope TO successfully unravei the Wystery
HANNA DIDN'T SEE HIM.
The Young man Hanna. who was on the
tow path the afternoon Mr.. Boyd saw Mr
Alvey. was seen yesterday and said tha5
he saw a man pass on up the canal banN
that evening. but ne bore no resemblance
10 the description of the missing man.
and he had on a hat.
That statement Of course, knocks 10
pieces the theory that Mr.. Alvey went
above the spot where he was seen by Mr.
Boyd. and the detectives are quite oon-
WINGED that he either fell in the river or
came back to the city.
If he fell in the river, he has heeA
there long enough 10 have arisen 20 the
surface. and this not having taken place.
together with the unsuccessful efforts I'd
| find him by the divers and dredgars, Ien1s
| credence 10 the theory that be returned
| 10 the city and wandered away ln some
other direction.
There is a slight probability mar Mr.
| Alvey went 20 New orleans. as some ~
| the Lipscomb estate interests Tie tn-
| But there Is hardly a possibility OF ms
| Still he may be heard from IN the Tres
! cent City.
He was quite near-sighted and when
over reading or writing he wore gold
trimmed eve glasses and upon this point
J Mr. Boyd is not quite clear "nether the
| man whom he saw on the canal oauh
| writing the note wore eyeglasses ie
| thinks the man put HIS glasses on out
| IS not quite sure.
| In connection with the note II mas oeen
stated that Mr. Alvey never addressed
his letters 10 his wife MY Dear wife
4 There Is possibility, after AN, ih't
! the man seen on the canal bank was nor
l Mr. Alvey. and that the hat may nave
/ been put there by some one else, or drop
| ped from a passing train.
4