Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-11-20

on the evening OF Dec ~ loVl' the
community was startled and shocked
by the announcement Of tho mysterious
dlsappearance OF n young man named
James r. Hay and with him sum OF
money amounting TO $500 Mr.. Hay
was secretary OF the Pacific Lumber
company and was well known In bust
ness and social circles. IN spite OF tho
fact that he was highly respected and
loved by wide circle Of acquaintances'
his good name for few hours was un-
der unjust suspicion. The police au'
thonties lntimated that ne had de-
eamped with the money which belong
ed TO the company, and kilograms were
sent broadcast over the country In the
hope Of obtaining some trace OF the
missing man. But nothing was heard
OF him until the following morning,
when word was received at the police
department that he had been the victim
of one OF the foulest murders ever com
mitted. that his body. stlff and lifeess,
was then lying in a rude grave In field
near the Rio Grandc Western railroad
tracks in Forest Dale.
In order to give an accurate account
OF the details that led up to the dlscov-
cry of probably thc darkest crime IN
the history OF the state, It viii be neces.
sary to go back to the 10Th day of De-
cember, 1901.
THE FATAL DEBT.
on the afternoon OF that day Peter
Mortensen, contractor, living at s,2lO
Walnut avenue, IN Forest Dale, called
at the office Of the Pacific Lumber COM
pany and Informed Manager George Il,
Romney that he. Mortensen, was then
ready to llquldate debt he owed the
company, The amount was $500 and
Mortensen stated that he had the mon
ey In gold at his home and If Mr.. Hay
would call for 1t and bring with him
the mortgage and note held by the COM
pany. the obligation would be wiped
out, Mr.. Romney was astonished u
hear that Mortensen had 30 large an
amount at his home and chded him
for what he termed cerelessness, Mr.
Romney said the company could get the
money the next day. and he took par
ticular pains to Instruct Mr. Hay, the
secretary. that, under no Circumstance
cs, was he TO get the money that night.
After going over the account, the three,
Hay, Romney and Mortetnsen. left the
Office to go 10 their respective places of
abode.
HAYS LAST FAREWELL.
About s O'Clock that evening, Mn.
Hay left his home. saying TO his wife
that he would be back soon, that he was
going over to Peters. referring TO Nor
tensens residence. which was dlagon-
ally across the street from Hays home
What happened when the young man
reached the home of Mortensen Is
known only to the latter. 1t Is fact
that he entered the house, and that he
went there TO get the money that Nor.
Jensen owed the lumber company. Ac.
cording to the latter's statements tC
Thomas II, Hilton, then chief OF police
Hay did not remain long in the house
Mortensen declared that he had th'
money secreted In his cellar and tina
he brought II forth, sat down with Hay
counted out the $500, took the not,
and receipt from Hay and that Mr.
Hay then departed. Mortensen declar
ed that when young Hay walked dowr
off the porch, that was the last he saw
of him alive.
YOUNG WIFE ALARMED.
Minutes ran into hours and many o
them passed but the young man did no
return to his wife and children. Som,
time after midnight Mrs. Hay becam,
alarmed over the absence Of her hus
band and went over 90 Mortensens I,
inquire II Peter knew anything as I,
Hays whereabouts. Mortensen said h
supposed that Hay had gone to tn
home Of Mr.. Romney to take the mon
ey there. A strange fear gnawed a
the heart of Mrs. Hay. She could no
rest. She searched for her missing hus
band but could get no trace of him AM
at the earliest moment communicate,
with her father, Hon. James SharI
The police were informed of the affal
and through them the disappearance O
the young man became known, This pa
per was the first to learn that tn
young man was missing.
sHARP'S DIRE PREDICTION.
On the afternoon Of the nth, MI
Sharp went to the home of Peter Nor
tetnsen and talked with him concern
ing the alleged payment of the money
As Mr.. Sharp was leaving Mortensen'