Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-11
HE LEAVES NO TRACE
SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE OF W.
-FA-T %
r. HUTCHINGS.
Moved in Fashionable Circles In Phila-
delphia-said to Have Been
in Washington.

A man who was known In Philadelphia
as w. P. Hutchings OF Vancouver, B. c.,
is reported to have disappeared from the
Quaker city. 1t was thought In Philadel-
phia that the man was wen known in this
city, but SO far as can be ascertained he
does not seem to be remembered In fashion
able circles here. In Philadelphia he put up
at the. Rittenheuse Club and.was entertained
by the wealthy residents He disappeared
the 26th Of last month while on his way to
the home Of society people to be entertained
at luncheon. According to a story from
Philadelphia, "A ghost in the night could
not have dropped out of sight more COM
pletely.'
The account o. his departure is given as
follows:
up to certain hour on Thursday, Feb
ruary 26, his every movement was known.
At 11:55 o'clock on that day he left the
Rittenhouse Club, at 1911 Walnut street, to
go to the residence Of a woman of position
tween Goth and 21St streets. He was to be q
guest at luncheon at the latter house. 1t
was a walk Of only three blocks, but he
never crossed the threshold Of that house
note of regret; in fact, not one of all his
friends has heard from or of him since.
"All this has naturally alarmed those who
knew him here. His surprising exit out of
the Phiadelphda world, so far as its social
corner is concerned troubled them. They
telegraphed to Washington, whence he
had come to this city, but he was not there.
They wired to his home and relatives in
Vancouver, British Columbia, and received
the same reply. Now they have gone to
the police department, but the detectives
have been able to find no trace Of Mr..
Hutchings. At the Rttenhouse Club is all
his baggage, just as he left it.
But Little Known.
Little Is known here Of Mr.. Hutchings.
He burst upon Philadelphia soon after
the new year, coming on from Washington
for few days. He was taken up immedi-
ately. Subsequently he returned to the
capital city, and did not visit here again
until about two weeks ago. 1t was during
this second visit that he dropped out OF
sight SO suddenly.
1.-THE family with which he had his lunch
con engagement were In a measure his So
cial sponsors here. 1t was at their invita-
ton that he came to Philadelphia. They
had met him last fall in crossing over
from England and the steamship acquaint
ance ripened into warm liking and friend
ship, so that before they parted on the pier
in New York the engaging Mr.. Hutchings
had promised to visit his .neW-found friends
in their home city.
He had told them that his home was in
Vancouver, B. c., where he had extensive
financial interests. For the time being he
ably spend the winter In the east, most
of the time in Washington. He seemed to
be well supplied with the worlds goods.
and his appearance and manners were
He was fastidious in dress and had the
well-groomed aspect that only man with
valet can possess.
Regarded as Gentleman.
About forty years old. he was rather
%o1I II
smooth shaven except flor a1mustache, and
his hair was of luxuriant black. AS one
of the men who knew him here said in
summing up his qualities, He was gen
tleman.' Ivy ,!,.srs .-
when he came on from Washington the
first time a dozen ers'more people were
asked to dinner to meet him. aHutchings
was put up at the Rittenhousa Club and he
was presented to manyGof the members.
"On his second visit to. this city, about
two weeks ago, he, again stopped atNthe
Rittenhouse Club, and, then..went around
to call on his friends. He told them that
he would be in town only day or two,
and he was asked by his hostess to lunch
con on Thursday, February 26: He ex-'
pressed his regret that he would be I'M
able to accept the invitation, he must
leave for Washington at 2 o'clock on that
afternoon. $50
IAN early luncheon was, therefore, sug-
gested Mr.. Hutchins was sorry to be
the cause of any change in their luncheon
hour, and If his hostess was sure that he
was not abusing her hospitality, he would
be glad to attend. 1t was accordingly ar
ranged that luncheon should be served at
noon.
But noon came and passed, and the hos
tess waited in vain for her guest. There
was no word of apology or regret then.
nor has there been since, At 8 minutes
before noon, on Thursday, February 20,
Mr. HutchingS disappeared as completely
as though the earth had swallowed him
u2." .
The local police have not been informed
of his disappearance nor has any request
been made to have them look out for such
a man.