The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-13

Seattle is strangely mixed up in story
of love. tragedy and disappearance. The
police have not been able to solve 1t, and
the hospitals are unable to throw any
light on the problem. The principals in
volved are Miss Nellie Jones, of Lannon,
Wis; her fiancee, Ray Birum, OF Victor,
Col, and a strange DR.. Guer, who is sup
posed to live in Seattle.
Miss Jones is social favorite in her
home. Her father is a prominent BUSH
ness man. Ray Birum Is mineralogist
of considerable reputation and also a
prominent Republican politician.
Prior to going to Colorado, four years
ago, Brum had lived in the same town
with Miss Jones. They were playmates
The wedding day was set. All arrange
ments were made. and about a month
ago Birum left Victor to go to Lannon,
where the ceremony was to take place.
He has not arrived at his destination.
Two mysterious letters have appeared
in the case. The first was apparently
written from Seattle by the so-called DIR.
Guer, and stated that Birum was shot near
Omaha. and had been cared for by DR..
Guer in Seattle In another place the
letter said that after being shot Birum
was taken home by DR.. Guer, and after
wards persuaded to accompany the doc
tor to Seattle. As fitting close the let
ter said Birum had started East again.
Miss Jones went to Victor to investigate
the disappearance OF her fiancee. At
Omaha she failed to discover any report
OF shooting. Then she went to Victor
There, two weeks ago, she received an
anonymous letter which had been for
warded to her from Lannon. Wis. 1t read
as follows.
THAT young man you were looking for
won't be there for some time He has
met with. an accident and will not re-
cover In less than sixty ninety days.
He was not TO blame for his predicament.
l will only say he was shot through the
left side and I am going to take him
away. When he has recovered he will
explain for himself
The only explanation Of how the shoot
ing TOOK place appeared In the first let
ter ter Miss Jones received; It said that
exercise and was shot by a stranger
BRUINS relatives have made an ex-
tended investigation. but have been I'M
the case. They believe. however. that the
young man has beer abducted by men
Interested in mines with which he is
crets TO their disadvantage. Miss Jones
is inclined to take this view of the case
Another strange incident which con-
meets Seattle with the case has come to
light. December l brother of Birum
who lives in Colorado, received letter
and package from Seattle. The package
contained blood-stained shirt with what
appeared to be bullet hole In the left
side. The letter was postmarked at Sc
attic November q. 1t was vague, but II
said that the writer. DIR. Guer while
driving near. the station in Omaha had
seen young Birum shot Guer took B.run
to Seattle with him and attended him,
The letter said that BRUINS clothes
would be forwarded and that when the
patient recovered he would explain the
matter fully.
The local police are mystifed. Chief
Meredith SAYS that he never heard of
any young man being brought TO Seattle
under condition indicated by DR. Guer' =
letter Al the hospitals IL Is said that
no such patient has been treated The
superstition Is that II Birum was brought
here he was taken TO private residence
and kept out Of sight.