Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-06

he could not remain and take the conse-
quences. He therefore, it Is concluded,
reasoned that the only thing left for him
was to leave his home and friends and
disappear.
May Have Committed Suicide.
Whether he thought of going out of the
country or of committing suicide is not
known. Some of his friends think he has
gone to South America, but there are many
who think he has taken his life. He was
last seen about police headquarters shortly
before 3 o'clock Wednesday morning. His
appearance at that time indicated that he
was laboring under a severe mental strain,
although he said nothing of his troubles to
any of his friends. Two days before he
went away he stated to several of his
friends:
This is the happiest day Of my life; my
boy has been appointed to position In the
District building, and If anything happens
to he will be able to take care of his
mother"
His remark is taken by some of his
friends to indicate that he contemplated
suicide at that time.
When He Was Last Seen.
Shortly after he disappeared from police
headquarters he was seen in the vicinity of
was apparently in a great hurry, and was
stopped by a friend and asked why he was
rushing. He responded that he was in
haste. taking out his watch and looking at
at. 1t was thought at that time that he was
hurrying to catch Mount Vernon car, but
he continued through D street. So far as
the detectives who are working upon the
case know the missing man was not seen
again that day.
They have heard from more than one
source that he was seen the next day, and
the persons who SO announced are mis-
taken 1t is said he was seen in George
town Thursday morning, this report caus-
ing some of the officers to believe he was
bridge and that he would probably end his
life there.
Property Involved.
When it first became known that Chief
Clerk Kemp was short IN his accounts fol-
lowing his disappearance, many of his
friends asked why it was he had not bor-
rowed money on his farm and made good
what he had taken. 1t was not believed
his big farm near Rockville was heavily
mortgaged, and many were surprised when
they learned to the contrary. The friends
of the missing man had always looked
upon him as being possessed of consider
able wealth. and that he was in a position
to draw a check for several thousand dol
lars at a moments notice.
The detectives are trying this afternoon
to ascertain the name and address of a
chorus girl with whom Kemp is said to
have been infatuated. She was at one OF
the local theaters last season. and, it is
said, he was in her company most of the
time she was here. He went TO Baltimore
and remained there several days with her.
going to Philadelphia later. The police
were told that the girl became i'll while in
Philadelphia and that Kemp paid a ply
sician's bill of $50 for her. 1t is thought by
some of the detectives that he may be
with her now. Maj. Sylvester said this
afternoon he had obtained no clue to
Kemps whereabouts. Messages have been
sent to the police authorities of most of
the large cities and descriptive circular
is to be sent as soon as 1t can be printed
Members of the police force are visiting
houses in this city where they think he
may possibly have gone, and Maj. Sylvester
is also having search made about the sur
rounding country and along the river
shore. thinking he may have committed
suicide ard that his body will be found.
Records at Rockville.
A special dispatch from Rockville, Nd.
today, states:
The records in the courthouse here show
Mr.. Kemp to be possessed of a farm of 300
acres which, with improvements, is as
sessed at $3.50 Mr. William c. Hoskin-
son of the upper section of the county
holds mortgage Of 81 800 against this
property; Mrs. Alice Bouic of Rockville.
mortgage of $1,000. and third mortgage of
$1,000. held by Mrs. Annie C. Allen of
Washington, which was executed about
eleven years ago, was this morning re-
here for record. Under the laws of Mary
land, however mortgage cannot be re-
corded after lapse of six months from
its execution, unless by order of court
and Attorney D. w. Baker of Washington
today took steps to have the court protect
Mrs. Allen in the way suggested
Attachments of notes given by Mr.. Kemp
aggregating S5,5169S. We're issued by the
clerk of the circuit court today. Mrs. Ida
V. Wrenn of Washington holds notes to the
value of $4,511.73; Thomas Vinson of
Rockville one for 500, William Welsh of
Rockville one for s4s7.49. and Harry c.
Hurley of this vicinity one for $297.76.
The accusation against Mr.. Kemp, the
dispatch declares, created surprise and
genuine regret throughout this community.
He was regarded here as man of strictest
integrity and that he was given to playing
the races to any extent was not dream
ed of.
ing with her lawyer, Mr.. Thomas Dawson
concerning her husbands affairs. She
seemed much distressed and it is under
stood that Lee S. Kemp, the only child of
the couple, is heartbroken over the dis
closures. Young Kemp and his father were
devoted to each other, and the blow to
the boy was particularly hard to endure.
Will Be First to Render Aid
Expressions of regret at the disappear
stnce and alleged shortcomings of Mr..
Kemp were heard upon all sides at the Dis
rrict building today. He was regarded by
The officials and employees about the build
ing example of efficiency in the per-
Torrance of official duties. His friends and
other acquaintance find 1t hard, they say,
TO believe that Mr.. Kemp is defaulter, as
alleged, and are hanging to the hope that
the matter may be Strengthened out by his
temperance and an explanation.
A large property owner in the city who
has been connected with the District gov
eminent for number of years said today:
II Arthur Kemp comes back and makes
an explanation as to how he happened to
take the funds intrusted to his care l will
be the first of his friends to go upon his
bond In the event of his arrest, and aid him
In any way that l can
He was speaking to several of the en-
ployes OF the District building at the time.
and concluded by saying that he has known
Mr.: Kemp since he first became associated
with the work of the police department and
that he was one of the friends upon whom
the missing chief clerk can depend upon in
his hour of trouble
Amount of Kemp's Bond.
When Auditor Tweedale of the District
was seen this afternoon by Star reporter
he said the bond on fle for Mr. Kemp was
for $1,000 According to Mr.. Tweedale it is
signed by the Fidelity and Deposit Com
pany of Maryland and was placed through
Poole & Ronsaville, the local agents of that
company June 10, 1905. He stated that
Mr.. Ronsaville called at the District build
ing today relative to the bond Some of
Mr. kemps friends figured that the