Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-11
BROKER DISAPPEARS
NO CLUE TO WHEREABOUTS OF
JOHN F. MCCORMICK.
Leaves Clothes in State Room on Bay
Line Steamer En- Route to Bal
timore from Norfolk.

Friends of John F. Mccormick, the con-
tractor and real estate broker. who has
been missing from his home at the STRAIT
Iord Hotel, 18th street and Sheridan ave-
mIe northwest, since Saturday fear that he
has ended his life by jumping overheard
from Bay line steamer while on his way
from Norfolk to Baltimore yesterday morn
Ing. The reason they believe that he may
nave taken this method of getting rid of
MS hnancial troubles is because the state
rooHn ne occupied on the steamer was
FOUND vacant yesterday morning when the
poat reached Baltimore message re-
celVeo from the attorney CT the company
- BAKER Clotworthy of the firm of Clot-
worthy q Lemon. stated tkat the clothes
or the passenger had been found in the
state room. Mr. Clotworthy telephoned the
information to his uncle Attorney William
+. Matflngly, and asked that the latter
communicate the facts to Robert E. Brad
ley, local real estate dealer with whom
McCormfck had had business relations.
:, fn Mrs, McCormlck was prostrated by the
Iulorihatlon ~ That was telephoned from
baltimore. She knew that her husband
mao gone to Baltimore to negotiate a loan
Whlch would tide him over his financial
troubles. She owns property in Norfolk
and receives a rental Of something like
Sloo a month for it. During the past few
months Mccormick had been engaged in
tne construction of houses on Park street
and Sheridan avenue. He was not a prac-
teal builder, it is stated, and had foremen
directing the work His business was that
or or buying and selling real estate rather
constructing buildings Money was bor-
rowed upon the property. it is stated, and
THOMAS X. Riley, the lumber merchant
was ms nondsman. Deeds to the property
by Mr.. Riley from Mccormick They were
mailed at Baltimore and were recorded in
this city Yesterday. In the letter, it is
stated, the writer told of his financial
troubles but gave no intfmation that he
contemplated taking his life. He merely
said he regretted his inability to paw his
Indebtedness and hoped the deeds would
relieve Mr.. Riley of his part in the trans
action.
Beginning of His Troubles.
The missing man is about forty-three
years old and is well-known In business cir
cles. He owned two automobiles and was
looked upon as prosperous business man
until about three months ago when he did
not settle his bills quite as promptly as he
had formerly. Some of the persons who did
work for him withdrew their men from his
houses because they feared they would lose
money if they remained upon the work.
Last Saturday. it is stated he drew a sum
of money from the bank for the purpose of
settling with his men, but settled only with
watchman before he went away. His
wife knew OF his financial difficulties and
was of assistance to him in keeping him
going unta last week when the husband
probably realized that he could not finish
the work upon the houses and that he
would have to seek assistance from friends
in Norfolk. 1t is thought that he went
to Baltimore from this city and from there
he went to Norfolk. Mr.. Riley's deeds and
letters We're mailed in Baltimore No in
formation has been received by friends of
the missing man to give them a definite
idea of his movements on the boat while
going from Norfolk to Baltimore They
do not know that he was seen after the
boat left Old Point and some of them are
inclined to believe that he left the boat at
Old Point with the intention of disappear
ing.
I'm informed that he had about $500 in
his pockets when he went away" remarked
a man who had business dealings with him
to a Star reporter this morning, "and 1
don't believe he has committed suicide.
1t is true that l am not acquainted with
the circumstances connected with his dis
appearance, but knowing the man l
did | am of the opinion that he will turn
up all right some day. The trouble with
Mccormick was that he was not builder
and he undertook to do something about
which he knew but little. He did the best
he could, however and his failure, if he
has failed, is due to his inability to make
ends meet