Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-18
RrBBERs TITTED TRACES.
MoRTENsEN INTERVIEWED.
Told a Straight story without Hav.
ing Air of GIiIt.

A News reporter called at the po-
llce station after Sergeant Brown had
returned with Mr.. Mortensen from the
European restaurant where the latter
took dinner and had a long talk with
the arrested man. Mr. Mortensen sat
easily In an arm chair In the detec-
tlye's room with his hat and overcoat
on and with his hands folded In front
Of him, told a perfectly stralghtfor-
ward story He ala not have the air
OF a guilty man, and there was nothing
studied or contradictory IN the state
ments made. II Mr. Mortensen Is the
guilty party he has powers OF self con-
troll beyond those Of the ordinary NOR
tel.
IN response to series OF questions,
he stated his knowledge OF the situa-
ton as follows I am thirty-six years
OF age and native Of Richheld in this
state. ! am an architect and contrac-
tor by profession, and came TO this city
N 1891 70 work at my business. |
worked for the Pacific Lumber conf
pany up to eighteen months ago, since
which time | have been In business for
myself, | was indebted TO the Pacific
Lumber company in the sum OF S3,90T,
and called at the office OF the company
on Saturday last 10 notify them that
\ Intended to settle the account and
could DO 1t, as ] had been rushing coll
lectons and had the cash at home.
There was no statement as TO how the
money was to be gotten to the COM
pany at the time.
went over the accounts By
Items on the books, as the company
was slightly indebted to me. Ii was A.
nally ascertained that | was owing the
company $780,, and promised to pay
$3.50 IN cash and gave an order on
MIS- Andrew Brlxen for the difference,
as she was owing me that amount any
way. ] did tell Ernest Romney thai /
had the money IN my house. and be
TOOK m. to task for not placing il In
lhe banks, but ! thought II was safe
enough where IL was
On the following Monday l went to
The Office Of the Pacific Lumber COM
pany little after 8 D. m. to tell them
mat ! wanted 10 liquidate the ac-
leount and II was finally decided that
James Hay should call at my house the
Following morning and get the cash.
IAr Hpmney remarking that he would
iho' Under any circumstances send for
pr receive such an amount OF money
sllet dark as II involved too much risk.
I'VE three then went out together. Mir.
lomney going to his home on Third
street and Mr. Hay and myself board
Tvs Calder's Park car at West Tenn
pe street did not notice that any
ohe IN particular had been listening
fo ne conversation in the Office
aDolt The payment Of the money.
enough several employees Of the concern
passed in and out Of the office during
The time.
MI Hay and myself left the car at
fNupson avenue, separating 10 go 10 our
bones Nothing further happened nm
W alter o'clock IN the same evening,
Nhen Hay came over from his house
ana said that Mr.. Romney had finally
nouhed HIM ! dom know how. TO come
over and make the collection and give
fecelpt l was surprised, and said 80,
put Hay replied that Mr. Romney had
concluded u would be best 10 bring the
pohey up TO his house that night and
no' walt until morning. suggested
tnat there were dangers connected With
such trip. and offered to accompany
nm with the cash TO Mr.. Romney's
Itsldence' but Hay declined and said he
iel perfectly secure and did not appre-
memo any danger ! finally paid over
" money, all IN $50 gold pieces. and
nsy look them in little canvas bag
Nhch he seemed TO place in an inside
un,efcoat pocket or IN his clothes some
We ! paid the money over IN my
~ room, and he went out through the
ntlehen That was the last saw OF
re young man untl saw him unoov-