The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-19

known until last Saturday. and nothing
was thought OF it until Monday. when
Grand Master Workman o. S. Jones re-
ceived the startling Information that he
was out OF the city during the latter part
OF last week, and on Friday telegraphed
10 Mr.. Pickens about some lodge matters
He expected Mr. dickens to join him in
reply. and on arriving at seattie went to
Mr. Pfckenx' office in the Colman block.
There he found a notice on the door TO
the effect that Mr.. Pickens had gone 70
Stesiacoom TO visit his mother and would
be back the following Sunday or Monday.
Mr.. Jones then called on Mrs. Picksns
who gave him the keys to the once. STAT
Ing that her husband lief, on Thursday af-
Monday 10 give the keys 10 Mr.. Jones
Monday came and Mr. Pickens did not APP
pear Grand Master Workman Jones tee
cetved a reply that ne mad not been there
and she had no idea where he was. Still
nothing wrong was suspected. as checks
deck to the amount Of $3.50. As precau-
tionary measure. however. experts were
put TO work on the books and after
while what are believed to be discrepancies
pear. 1t was also discovered. IL is said.
that money was not in the bank, where II
ought 10 be. The alleged shortage gradual
" increased until II amounted to something
Hike 81 600 Mrs.. Pickens was almost dis
trac,ed when she learned Of the condition
OF affairs. For her sake and In view OF the
the. affair was kept strict secret In hopes
that the missing man might be found and
given ar opportunity 10 set things Alright
His once Declared Vacant.
All efforts at locating him proved futile
and acting under the power vested In the
lon IL of the Grand lodge constitution o.
3 Jones declared Mr.. Pickens' ONCE vacant
and appointed James r. Boyer. Of Seattle,
a well known newspaper man. 10 all the
position for the current term. ending April,
1870 Circular letters were sent Out TO all
subordinate lodges In Washington instruct
Mr.. Boyer
The American Bonding and Trust Com
pany was notified OF the existing condition
in the sum OF $1,000 The i local agent Is
now at work making an investigation. but
as yet has not taken official action. IL was
said at the once Of the bonding company
yesterday afternoon thai the case had not
reached point where definite steps had
been decided on. Ii is known, however.
from the general policy. OF such cornpan-
lea that II a wtlfui defalcation Is found -
exist no Efforts viii be spared TO locate
and bring back the defaui,er.
Both Grand Master Workman o. s. Jones
and Grand Recorder James T. Boyer re-
fused to talk about the disappearance of
Mr. Pickens. Mr.. Boyer admitted tina, he
had been appointed to fill the position left
vacant Dy the disappearance OF the FORMER
recorder. Mr.. Jones said II was true Mr..
Pickens had disappeared. bu. he did not
care to talk about the matter. When ask
Cd II ne had any theory he raid that it was
The A. o. L. W has complete and com.
rrehensye system OF bookkeeping, and
!,s financial Affairs are so arranged that
there is check on everything. July q.
last. the committee on finance Of the Grand
lodge consisting OF f. l. Harriff. OF TIA.
coma: J. II. Hemer. Of Seattle, and F. NJ.
lent condition This checking up occurs
frequently. In fact monthly SO that any
irregularities mus. have taken place during
the past three weeks AS grand recorder
Mr.. Piekens received a salary Of $i25 a
month He was not an extravagant man.
certain that he was not addicted in the
least TO gambling, and they do not believe
from what they hava learned that he spec
ulated. They say that they are unable to
account for the sensational rumor about a
romance being at the bottom of the case
How a man could have wiiisuliy hartered
away reputation Of the highest class for
3 few hundred dollars. when he had ahun-
tant opportunity 10 take thousands Is be-
You'd the comprehension Of Mr.. Piekens'
friends. and they are honeful he will re-
former popularity and the regard in which
he was held by his fellow workmen Is
hrough. into bold relief by the fact that
Ne was elected 20 the Office OF grand record
stili more striking Is the fact that there
uas practically no opposition at any OF
the elections which take Mace early when
the Grand lodge meets
Mr.. ficsens was not only business man
81 marked ability, but also an able lawyer.
He has lived in the state Of Washington
ten wears. coming here from Missouri
where he had stood high in his profession
"a an attorney, He settled in Chehaits
took part IN politics and served tern,
"a city clerk. He also served out an un-
expired term as probate Judge He was
always prominent IN A, q L. w affairs
and seven years ago was FIRST elected grand
recorder. his election being unanimous His
successive elections to tha same position
have already heen mentioned About three
years ago ne moved - SEATTLE. which place
he has made hts horne ever since
iie - man ~ excellent appearance fine
" educated and an interesting cAnv@rsa-
tonalst He ~ about five feet ten inches
tall, and VIII weigh something Ike lss