Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-14
No TRACE OF BROKER
LETTER FOUND IN STATE ROOM
GIVEN TO MRS. MCCORMICK.

Capt. Boardman received message from
Marshal Farnan, chief of police of Baltf-
more, last night, telling him what had been
done by his officers In the matter of en-
deavoring to ascertain something definite
concerning the disappearance of John F.
Mccormick. the real estate broker and con-
tractor who left his family in this city a
week ago, and who subsequently disap-
peared from the steamer Alabama of the
Old Bay line of steamers running between
Baltimore and Norfolk, Va. The marshal
sent two of his detectives to interview Of
ficials OF the steamboat company, and it
was learned that Mr.. Chamberlain had
been sent here to deliver the coats and pa
pers to Mrs Mccormick. A letter that
was addressed to the wife of the missing
man, ana which was left In the state room
on the steamer, was also turned over 10
the wife. 1t was stated in the letter that
Mrs. Mccormick told Mr.. Chamberlain that
she would not open the letter until she had
consulted Attorney r. NJ. Parker, who has
an office in the Atlantic building.
The latter is not the attorney for the Nc
Cormicks but is friend of the family, and
has attended TO some legal matters for
them. 1t is stated that the writer said
nothing in the letter about himself, but
merely gave directions regarding some of
his financial matters. Nothing has yet
been heard from the Norfolk authorities
about Mccormick. Last night Capt. Board
man assigned Detectives Pratt and Hewlett
upon the case, and they are doing what
they can to assist the relatives of the miss
ing man to locate him. Marshal Farnans
detectives learned from the men employed
on the steamer Alabama that none of them
knew when or where Mccormick left the
boat. When they found the state room
door had been left locked and no key was
in sight, an employe of the company sue
ceeded in effecting entrance to the room
and finding what made it appear that it's
last occupant had committed suicide. This
theory is seriously doubted by the police, as
heretofore stated and Capt. Boardman
thinks he will return or communicate with
his family in due time.
Suicide Theory Secuted.
eff he jumped overheard" remarked
detective who discussed the case with a
Star reporter, there was no reason why he
should have taken the key with him. If,
on the other hand, he left the boat to dis
appear, it was the most natural thing in
the world to take the key with him. 1t was
necessary for him to leave the door locked
in order to present the suicide theory, and
he would probably have been afraid to have
left the key inside and climb out the win
dow for fear of being detected Then, too,
If he had contemplated suicide he would
probably have left what cash he had with
him for his family. His family had nothing
to do with his financial condition, and there
was absolutely no reason why he should
not have left them what money he had with
him when he left the boat. The fact that he
left no money aboard the steamer is almost
conclusive evidence that he did not jump
overheard for the purpose of committing
suicide
1t is the Intention of Capt. Boardman and
the detectives to do all they can in the
matter of solving the mystery They will
not abandon the case until the missing con-
tractor returns or his body is found