The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-22
Montana Capitalist Loses His
Wife in Seattle.
COMPLAINS TO THE POLICE.
She - Young aAA Pretty-He II Many
Years Her SenfOr-while stop
ping at = Local Hotel She he
comes Intimate with . Man From
Dawson Clty-They Disappear To-
gether-Take Husband's Money.

When the steamship City OF Topeka sail
ed for Alaska yesterday morning she is
supposed TO have carried among her pas
sengers Lon Chappelle, an alleged wealthy
,Klondiker. and Mrs T.. II. Harding. n
pretty blonde. Mrs. Harding and Chap
peIle are believed TO be travelling together,
and last night Mr.. Harding. who Is sixty
years OF age. unbosorned himself TO the
police and assured them that his wife and
Chappeile had eioped. He gave the addi-
tlonal information tina. his wife took with
her 500 In money and a gold watch and
chain belonging TO him. She left behind
her, he said a nine-year-old boy.
The story OF tho alleged eiopement. as
CLEANED last night. was that some two
months ago. Harding. who is said TO be a
weii-to-do capitalist OF Glendive. Mont.
came 10 this city accompanied by his wife
He was searching for lost health. In this
balmy climate he found 1t, but In doing SO
lost his wife.
Mr. and Mrs Harding stopped at the
Rainier Grand, They had been there but
two weeks. when Lon Chappeile. Klondiker
and seif-alleged Alaska potentate. put in
an appearance. He is said to have cap
tis tted Mrs. Harding almost at first sight.
II was apparent that they enjoyed each
others company very much. Mrs. Hard
ing. II should be stated, is some twenty
decidedly pretty woman. Chappeile is
III years OF age, and Is sad 10 have once
kept a saloon at Pennington. this state.
After Chappeile had been here few
weeks he went to Portland. where II is
claimed he has wife and family. He
visited his relatives and friends until few
days ago, when he returned 10 Seattle
Once more. II IS claimed. he sought the
company Of pretty Mrs. Harding. and yes
terday morning they disappeared stimuli
taneousiy. Mr. Harding became alarmed
and made an investigation. which satisfied
him that the two were safe on their way
TO Alaska together.
When Mrs Harding left the hotel In the
morning she told her husband that she was
going TO the dentists. That individual
when questioned told Mr.. Harding that
his wife had not been there. The dentist
further stated that some days ago Mrs
Harding had told him she intended going
TO Alaska.
The fact that his wife intended making
that trip was news to Mr.. Harding. He
had not heard Of II before. Suddenly Il
flashed across h.s mind that his wife had
been very friendly with Chappeile who
he knew was going away that day He
went down to the Pacific Coast Steamship
Company's office. and there ascertained
that chsppeile had gone. and that In his
company was n woman whose description
corresponded TO that of Mrs Harding. Sat
ished that something was wrong. Mr. Har-
ding went back 20 his room and made
, search for his cash and vaiuahes He
claims he discovered that 500 and his
watch and chain were gone.
Last night the police here wired the Vic
toria police TO search the Topeka when
she arrived at that pert, and to arrest
Chappeile and Mrs. Harding II they were
on board.
What lends an extraordinary flavor OF
romance TO the story Of the alleged elope-
ment IS a rumor that Mrs. Harding Is the
daughter OF an old friend Of her husbands
II Is claimed that this friend at his DEATH
left his daughter In Mr. TIardins's care
The latter Is said 10 have directed her edu-
eaten and then married her. 1t was i'm
possible 10 confirm this report last night.
as Mr. Harding could not be found.