The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1900-12-27
THEY HAVE
DISAPPEARED.
Miss Mary Hoffman and
Rev. J. [. Johnson.
"A CURIOUS COINCIDENCE
She a Student Of Nursing and He
q WelI-known Preacher Of
New York.

NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-THE Herald
prints the following: Much specula-
tion Is being indulged In by the friends
of the Rev. James lie Baron Johnson |
as to his whereabouts. He was last !
seen about one week ago at Watkins. |
". r.. where he has been a patient of
q sanitarideh. having gone. there sew
eral months ago because of a most
serious attack OF nervous prostration.
Mr.. Johnson left the sanitarium ten
days ago and came to New York for
some purpose, and after remaining
here for one day, returned to watkins.
lie stopped at the sanitarium for two
days and then went away. taking all
his baggage with him. lie left no ad-
dress. and his relatives in this city
and elsewhere are wondering what has
become OF him.
Mrs. Johnson. who was Miss Mabel
Van Rensselaer,. Is living with her
mother. Mrs. Alexander Van Renssa-
laer, at the family residence in this
city.
Mr.. Johnson's shattered health is
said to be largely the result of his
duties as one OF the chaplains of the
fire department. which ne assumed In
March. 1899. having been appointed tC
that position by Fire Commissioned
Scannell. Several years ago he lived
In Tacoma. Wash. before he took aoly
orders, and was a member OF the loca
FIRE department of that city. For two
years he slept in the engine house o
the volunteer company To- which he be
longed. so that he might he prompt!
on hand whenever a fire alarm cam
in during the night. After Leaving
Tacoma he went to San Francisco, an
remained there for some time.
Mr.. Johnson came to New York sew
eral years ago. and after having stud
] led for the Episcopal ministry. was ad
mitted 20 the church. He was mad
assistant rector of Grace Church. Tn
| fact that he had become a minister di
not uuench Mr.. Johnson's interest l
fire department affairs. however, an
on March 2S of last year he receive
the coveted appointment OF chaplain.
Mr.. Johnson met the family of Mis-
Mabel Van Rensselaer, after comm
TO New York. and in due time becam
engaged 10 the young NOhdhs
= wedding took place at Grace Churc
n on April 26. 1899, and was one of tn
& most brilliant affairs that have take
y place there.
Z Mr.. Johnson Is believed to be some
( where in the West. Almost simult'
> neously with the disappearance
Mr.. Johnson from the sanitarium
& Watkins comes the discovery that Nil
Mary Hoffman. daughter of Southai
Z Hoffman. OF San Francisco, who II
3 nearly two years has attended Il
\ Bellevue Training School for Nurse
Z In this city. left the institution vel
y suddenly last week. IL Is said that 81
4 went To San Francisco.
Miss Hoffman, who Is wealthy
y her own right, entered the trainii
school for nurses simply for the pu
pose of gaining experience. She ma
3 excellent progress and was at the he
of her class. which Is to gradua
8 early In January.
\ Miss Brennan, who Is In charge
Z the school. said that she knew OF
3 reason for Miss Honman's sudden d
Z appearance, except that the you
4 woman told her last Wednesday u
she had received a dispatch conta
ing bad news from her family In ;
Francisco, and that she. was oDlie
In leave for that city.