The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-14
ED ARNOLD BACK.
Returns From California Where
He Wasn't Married.
Takes to lis Bed and Physician
Called.
TO BE QUIET.
Mother Says the Young Man LIS
Frustrated.
Story of the Affair From a
California Paper.

a sensation in Los Angeles, Cal, by
deserting Miss Lena Rivers Packard, OF
that city, on the eve before the day set
for their wedding, arrived home this
| morning. He came in on the Union
Pacific train, reaching here shortly af-
ter o'clock. He went at once to the
home of his mother, Mrs. A. ]. Arnold,
at No. 927 North Jackson street.
1t was impossible to see Mr.. Arnold
around the noon hour, the statement
being made that he was "prostrated''
and under the advice of a physician was
resting in bed. 1t was stated that Mr..
Arnold might recover sufficiently to see
visitors some time this afternoon.
Mrs. Arnold, the mother of the young
man, made these statements. She was
asked if it would be possible to see Mr..
Arnold and get his explanation of the
rather distressing affair in Los Angeles
in which he appears to have been the
chief actor.
1T will be impossible for anyone to
see him now she replied. He only
arrived home this morning and Is
thoroughly prostrated. L called a physi-
clan and the doctor advised rest and
quiet for my son. He is now in bed
following this advice. He may be able
to be up this afternoon and in condi-
ton to receive visitors.
II do not know, or believe, that my
son has any statement to make, other
than to say that he has returned home"
Friends of Miss Packard in this city,
who have heard from the Packards in
Los Angeles since Mr.. Arnold so sud-
denly left for home, were reluctant to
discuss the affair today.
All that could be obtained from them
was that Mr.. Arnold's sudden, unusual
and unexpected breaking of his engage
ment with Miss Packard at the eleventh
hour was not due to any quarrel be-
tween Mr.. Arnold and Miss Packard.
There was no quarrel between
t1anv, soft nTn of thaSa friends
Arnold simply quit. That is all 1 care
to say about 1t until Mr.. Arnold makes
his explanation"
The California Story.
The following story of the disappear
ance of Ed Arnold of Topeka on the
eve of his marriage is from the Los
Angeles Times:
Mystery surrounds the strange dis
appearance of Edgar Campbell Arnold
of Topeka, Kansas, who came to this
Lena r. Packard of No. 1923 East
Twenty-second street, and who drop
ped from sight as though the earth
had swallowed him. His fiancee.
beautiful young girl, prominent in the
set to which she belongs, is prostrated
with grief over the unexplained dis
appearance of her husband-to-be.
She is lying i'll at the home of her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. F. M. Packard.
while the trousseau is spread out in an
adjoining room, just as it was pre-
pared for the wedding. The police of
this and other cities have been asked
to investigate the affair, but so far no
light has been thrown upon Arnold's
1--WE don't know what to think"
said Mr.. Packard, last night. I'VE had
every confidence in Edgar and believ-
ed he would make our daughter a
good husband. All preparations had
been made for the ceremony, but Mr..
Arnold did not appear. We have been
very anxious over the strange affair.
All of US have been anxious to keep
it quiet in hopes that the young man
would return and explain his absence.
Lena is prostrated- She is lying i'll In
her room and has refused to see any
one We do not care for any publicity
for reasons very obvious.
The girls father intimated that
Arnold might have met with foul
play, but a different report comes
from Ventura, the former home of the
Packards.
Queer Developments.
Rumor is current there that Arnold
suddenly decided to give up the mar
riage and that he went back to his
home, after leaving little farewell
note for the girl he professed to love.
The note is said to have contained a
last message of love and was filled
with abject apologies for the step he
was taking He is reported to have
given his unworthiness as the reason
for breaking OIL Ine matcn at the last
hour.
Mr.. Packard would not discuss this
phase of the affair and absolutely re-
fused to give his sanction to this YER
sion. "Wait a few days, and I will be
in a position to give you all the facts,
he stated. "'There will be some queer
developments before long"
When Miss Packard's engagement
to Arnold, a wealthy and handsome
Young wholesale druggist of Topeka
was announced, her numerous friends
in this city extended their congratula-
tions. She was the recipient of sew
erai SHOWERS" and many social func-
tions were planned in her honor.
When Arnold arrived from the east,
he appeared devoted to his sweet
heart wedding invitations were sent
out. presents were received, and
clergyman was engaged. As pretty
little sentiment. Miss Packard asked
that her former minister, Rev Chas.
Scott of the Methodist Church of Ven
tura should perform the ceremony
Among the costly presents received
by the happy little brfde-to-be was a
bracelet, heavily studded with dia-
monds, the gift of her prospective hus-
band.
Her Faith Strong.
The last time that the Packards saw
Arnold was on the eve of his wedding
day. He said goodnight to his fiancee
with unsual fervor and left for his no.
tel at a late hour. Nothing was heard
from him the next day, and finally the
Packards began to entertain misgivings
Although 1t was hinted that the man
had basely deserted the girl he had
promised to marry, she maintains her
loyal faith in his honor. and has re-
fused to believe in his perf1dy.
Investigations have been made by