Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-01-04
FEARS FOUL PLAY
FOR HIS FRIEND
Arthur r. johnson
Causes Search
to Be Made.
GEORGE MERR|MAN MISSING
Has Not Been Seen for Five
Days--.Had Money When
Disappeared.

George Merriman, electrician and
engineer, whose home is in Brainerd,
Nebraska, has been missing from his
room In the Claire Hotel since last
Saturday morning, and Deputy Sheriff
Lopez who has been looking for him,
says that he fears the man has been
murdered.
At the time Merriman disappeared
he was known to have had 5000 in
his possession as we'll as money on
deposit in the bank. That he intend
ed to return to the hotel Is indicated
by the fact that all his clothing, tools,
books and other possessions were left
In his room and his bill was paid up
until last night.
Friend Alarmed.
Arthur Johnson, employed at Han
mas meat market, roomed with Mer-
riman and was his close friend. He
says that he cannot account for the
mans sudden disappearance unless he
has met with foul play. Johnson has
been searching for his friend for sew
eral days and nights until he Is al
most exhausted from lack of proper
rest. He was assisted in the search
by Deputy Sheriff Lopez and other To-
cal officers. Merriman was member
of the Masonic order at Brainerd and
members of the local order will be
asked to assist In finding him.
George Merriman Is about "a years
old, and unmarried; s feet 10 inches
In height; weight, about 1So pounds;
dark complexioned; gray eyes; a rud-
dy countenance and wore medium
sized dark moustache. His hair is
dark, cut rather close and parted near
the middle.
When last seen, he was wearing a
black oyercoat over dark suit OF
tweeds, white slouch hat, and black
shoes. A noticeable characteristic
was his habit of rubbing his hands to-
gether while talking in nervous and
excitable manner. He used liquor and
smoked. This description was fur
nished for the use of the officers by
Johnson last night.
Circumstances.
In speaking of his friends disap-
pearance Mr.. Johnson said.
"I came with George from Brain
erd, Nebraska, to take my present job
with Mr.. Hanna. Merriman had moth
Ing in particular in view but expect
ed no difficulty in finding work as ne
was a number one man In his line
and spent most of his spare time In
studying.
"We arrived at the Claire on Christ
mas day and took a room together
Merriman began drinking shortly af-
forwards and was under the influence
Of liquor most Of the time. He had
500 and sent it back to his home or
placed it on deposit | know, how
ever. that he had about 5000 In his
pocket on last Saturday morning
when he walked with me to the meat
market and left, presumably to get
shave. That was the last saw OF
him. / thought nothing OF 1t when
he did not return to the hotel that
night, and even the next day.
heard from several persons that he
had been seen at various times In
company of questionable characters
and then became alarmed.
II at once began hunting for him
without the assistance Of officers bur
found that l could do nothing alone.
then called upon Deputy Sheriff Lo-
pez who at once took up the case and
has given me every assistance In bis
power. AT first we thought that Mer-
riman might be lying Ill in some build.
ing, but we are now convinced thar
we should have heard from him had
such been the case. 1t seems improb-
able to me that, drunk or sober, ne
would 60 to another town without tell
ing me as we have always been IN
each Others confidence. Besides, ne
left all his clothing and books. which
he valued highly.
Suspects Foul Play.
az think he Is either being held for
some purpose under the influence Of
drugs or else he has been murdered
for his money and his body has been
concealed will spend every dollar
have II necessary to find him or news
regarding his whereabouts"
In speaking of the case Deputy Sher-
If Lopez said:
"This affair promises to be one Of
the most difficult cases have ever
handled, as Merriman has disappeared
as completely as though the earth had
opened and swallowed him. ! am
afraid that he has met with foul play
from what / can learn and, while !
have reports Of certain persons whom
I believe saw him since Mr.. Johnson,
yet ! am not vet In position to make