Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-01-11
George Merriman's $
Body Has Not
Been Found.
CASE IS STILL A MYSTERY
Arroyos and Prospect Holes
Examined---Little Doubt
But Man is Dead.

Il believe that George Merrlman. OF
Brainerd, Nebraska, who disappeared
from his room at the Claire, nearly
two weeks ago is dead. Whether or
not we shall be able to find his body
and thus learn the cause Of his death
Is problematical."
This statement which voices the con.
census of opinion, was made by Sher.
if Antonio J. Lopez, who is conducting
the search for Merrimans body. Mer.
riman has sister living in Nebras-
ka, but as yet she has not been not.
fed. II the search which Is now be.
ing made proves as barren OF results
as have the previous ones, she will be
notified that the young man is missing
and his effects at the Claire will be
turned over to her.
Looking for Body.
Sheriff Ortiz and Jose L. Lopez.
his deputy, headed posse which
spent the entire day yesterday, among
the hills in the vicinity Of the city.
looking for traces Of the missing man
or his body. The party started yes
terday morning and rode until noon
when 1t returned to Santa Fe. Imme.
diately after dinner the members
again left, going directly north and
half circling the city. The officers
searched, arroyos, old prospect holes.
peered beneath low hanging shrub.
berry and left no nook or Granny
known to them without being salts
fed that the mans body was not there.
The officers believe that Merriman
was murdered or that he wandered
from the city while under the influ.
ence Of liquor and died of exposure
during the cold snap which followed
his disappearance. From information
which the officers secured yesterday.
the murder theory now seems to be
the most tenantable one.
Had He $500.
They have information regarding
the man which Is considered reliable
and which accounts for his where
abouts until the Monday following his
disappearance. Those who were with
him at that time are known to the Off.
GERS but there is not sufficient evidence
against them to warrant their arrest
unless Merriman's body is found with
evidence of violence. However, ar
rests may be made soon on suspicion
If nothing turns up to aid the sheriff
in his search. At the time Merrlman
disappeared, he was known to have
had 5000 at least, in his possession.
Previous to that he had an additional
$500 but told Arthur Johnson, his
room mate that he had sent 1t home.
Did he send this money home?
This is question the officers are
unable to answer but 1t Is believed by
many that while intoxicated Merri-
man showed this money and that 1t
was the incentive for his murder.
Whether or not this Is true, can only
be told by future developments.
Lopez's Statement.
Among the persons under suspicion
is one who already has penitentlary
record and others who apparently are
good candidates for the same thing.
In speaking of the affair yesterday.
Under Sheriff Lopez said:
1--WE have never had more puzzling
case than the disappearance Of George
Merriman. do not know much more
about the affair than when / started
The fact that he was not missed for
several days makes 1t difficult for us
now. to get any trace Of him. However.
I have made few discoveries that
look promising and if they prove cor.
rect, then George Merriman Is dead
and has been dead for some time. My
only hope now Is either to find the
man or his body. l have received as
sistance from all the city officials but
our combined efforts have not pro-
duced the results we expected. The
search will be continued regardless Of