The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-04
BANK EMPLOYE GONE
Strange and Sudden DiSap-
pearance of J. c. Wells
OF THE KANSAS NATIONAL
No Clue Has Been Found
His Accounts Straight.

J. c. Wells. who has been in charge ~
the collection department OF the Kansas
National bank during the past six months.
has disappeared and no trace Of his
whereabouts has been found. though dill
gent search has been made. 8Ir. Wells
went away last Saturday evening. week
ago but the disappearance though sud
den and unaccouutabIe, has been kent
quiet in the hope Of securing some clue
and in INTERPRETATION Of his return.
Each day, however. has only added mys-
terry 10 the case, until now it seems thar
Wells either met with foul play. DESTROY
Cd himself or intended that his going
should be for good. No one IN Wichita
has been found who knows anything Of
Wells intentions.
Last Saturday night he was cheerful
with his friends at Mrs. Hawks board
ing house on North Market street. where
ne had boarded ever since ne came To
Wichita. He pFsyed the piano and ioked
as usual with his friends Mr.. Husky.
another bOarder. with whom he had been
talking, happened to remark that the
morrow would be another lonesome Sun
day. No" said Wells. sit will not be
dull Sunday for me. for 7 an going 70
Newton and go out hunting with a friend
] have there" With this remark ne went
up stairs and got his gun and a telescope
and prepared for the trip.
In the parlOr, before he went away
there were several Of the boarders talk
ing. when one young lady remarked that
she was going to Kansas City and would
not be back for two weeks. she depIored
the fact that she would not get To see
any Of them again for two weeks, when
Wells remarked:
well. you viii never see me again,
for 7 an going away, too"
'Oh, get out" said the young lady, II
will see you when 7 get back.
You viii never see me again" said
Wells
No one thought anything Of his remarks
at the time, for they had all been joking.
a few minutes after he took his gun and
telescope and started for the train. Since
that hour he has not been seen by his
friends or employers.
Mr.. Wells work az the Kansas Nation
al bank had been entirely satisfactory
ana no irregularities have been discov-
cred. M. J. Oak Davidson. president Of
the bank said yesterday that he and the
other officials and employees Of the bank
were at a loss to account for the action
Of Wells.
He has been with us only six months
said Mr. Davidson, hut knew him and
his father. and know him TO be d caoa-
bic, energetic and trustworthy man He
had no reason that I know Of for giving
Up his position. especially in the manner
he did, and I am utterly unable to ac-
count for his action. It may be that he
has met with an accident OF foul play,
ana it may be that he has gone back
to his home in Massachusetts. His books
and ACCOUNTS are in perfect order. and his
work was entirely satisfactory. 1t is Ger
family a mystery
Mr. Wells left his trunk and clothing
in his room at Mr.. Hawks. He had pur-
chased new hat for the trip to Newton
but wore his old overcoat leaving his
new. one in the room. It was learned that
his wife had been here with MIN until
two months ago. but is now in the east
with her relatives. He heard from her
regularly. and it Is thought she Intended
returning TO Wichita soon.
Mr. Davidson secured the services Of
Wells when ne was in the east last sum
ner. He had known his father when both
lived in Chicago and they are great
friends The father. Mr.. Henry Wells, is
& banker at Redding. Mass. and one Of
the most influential men in that part OF
The country. He was 1guring on start
ing d new bank in Boston.
Young Wells told his friends at the
boarding house that his father had lost
Sc 600 in the Wichita boom, but that re
still had great faith IN the city and want
ed him 10 remain here He complained
that he was dissatisfied and could not
remain except for the wishes of his
father. 1t is said he had a large sum OF
money with him when he went away. and
there are friends at the boarding house
who believe that he has accidentally shot
himself or has been waylatd and robbed.
They do nor believe that Mr.. Wells
would so wrong under any circumstances.
Al one time Mr. Wells told Mr. Husky,
he was a broker on Wall street, and
showed him a certificate Of membership
in the Wall Street Brokers association.
He was quite actively engaged in this
business n New York City. It is said.
but was compelled 70 abandon II on &C
count Of his health.
Il is understood that his parents at REQ
ding Mass have been notified OF their
sons disappearance, but Up 70 last night
no word had been received from them
Meantime the Investigation VIII be car
ried on IN an effort TO locate him, and
his friends all hope that no misfortune
has overtaken him.