The Washington times., 1906-06-02
MYSTERY DEEPENS
At DISAPPEARANCE
OF BROKER GURLEY
Missing Mans Family
Hints at Foul
Play.
HAD MONEY ANDJEWELRY
Brother of Absentee Says
He Had Been in Ill
Health.
HAD MONEY YANDJEWELRY

mystery continues 10 enshroud the
disappearance and whereabouts OF VIII
liam B. GUrley. formerly OF the firm
Of Johnson & Gurley. F street brokers.
who dropped completely out OF sight
while en- route 10 this city about two
weeks ago. Relatives and friends say
they Go not believe he would voIuntari-
ly stay away or remain silent all this
time. and they intimate that they su-
pect Mr.. Gurley met with foul play
while coming 10 Washington from Mas
sachusetts.
Mr. Gurley is widely known and pop
ular in Washington. He was a proni-
rent business man and has a host Of
friends IN social circles here. No reason
whatsoever can be assigned for his pro-
tractAd absence from Washington and
his relatives and friends are AT a loss
10 understand his nOn-appearance-
Had Money and JewelIy.
When he left Nantucket, Mass, where
he had been spenIing some time with
his family. he informed his friends that
he had some important business TO
transact in Washington and would have
to hurry back Mr.. Gurley wore some
jewelry and carried a considerable sum
Of money IN his pOcketboOk-
Inspector OF Detectives Boardman
states at Police Headquarters here to
day. that he had received no request
from the relatives OF the missing man
10 aid in the search which has been in
stituted for him. II has been intimated.
however. that the authorities OF Nan
tucket ard other small towns IN hIassa-
Chusetts. have been asked 10 maintain
a lockout for Mr.. Gurley and ascertain
whether or not he is IN any hospital
Charles L Gurie2. OF lis Fourteehth
street northwest. a brother OF the miss
ing broker, SAYS the family Of the latter
are much disturbed over his disappear
ance. They fear he has met with foul
play or an accident That Is the only
way they can account for his failure TO
write to them or come 10 this city His
wife is said TO have received a Boston
paper from him about a week ago. but
i was not preceded or followed b. a
letter.
Was Recently III.
The brother says the missing man had
been in i'll health for some time. but his
condition was not considered at all seri-
Gus. He says there IS no possible ex-
PLANTATION for his disappearance unless
he has met with foul play or an acci-
dent, or is in some hospital.
Friends of Mr.. Gurley say that when
his firm failed. several years ago. he
took the loss very much to heart He is
said to have assumed much more than
a reasonable share Of the responsibility.
and 1t IS feared that he has brOoded
over the affair until 1t has slightly af-
fected his mind and nerves Mr. Gurley
never sought protection through bank
ruptcy proceedings, and ever since the
firm was obliged to close its doors ne
has devoted his time strengthening out
the affairs of the concern
Mr.. Johnson was a member Of the
New York Stock Exchange, and the
house did the largest corresp spondence
business of any firm IN the city at that
time. The crash resulted from a steep
fall II. the market. and many Of the
largest houses in the country were
obliged to close
Mr. Gurley has divided his time be-
tweeI. Washington and Nantucket of
late. When leaving the latter place
two weeks ago. he informed members
OF his family positively that he was
going to Washington, and the paper
mailed from Boston came as a great
surprise. 1t was thought, however. that
he had changed his mind. and. after
would proceed to Washington.
Sons Futile Search.
Failure TO locate him IN either city
led his family TO believe that some
thing was wrong. and a thorough
search was Immediately instituted His
son. Melville Gurley. visited Boston. but
failing 10 locate him there came =
Washington. and for two days he tried
In vain TO get some trace Of his father
in this city.