The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-11-05

Has Boon Spirited Away and Possibly
MISUNDERSTANDING still ON Hunt for
Him-Out-going Steamers Visited
and Passenger Lists EXAMINED.
New York, October 3l.-The disap-
pearance OF Raymond Hitchcock, fol-
lowing his indictment by the grand
| jury, which has heard the stories OF
three little girls was the absorbing
topic today on Broadway. where those
who had known the star intimately
during his ten years on the stage ad-
vanced half a dozen theories in ex-
PLANTATION of his default.
The actors closest friends WI" A"'e
energetically defended hi" "anie siHee
he became invo''~u In trouole' "e
divided ir opinion.
MANY insisted today that driven
desperate by serious accusations. lac
had committed suicide. Others We're
satisfied that he had been spirited
away and possibly murdered by men
who had practiced blackmail ON the
comedian and who feared exposure IL
the case against their victim came to
trial.
This theory was voiced by Hermon
Fromme, the missing mans attorney,
and by Mrs. Hitchcock, who befoV
marriage was Seabelle Mangasariak-
of Chicago. Mrs. Hitchcock. though
near collapse through worry ha con-
tinued to play opposite her husbands
understudy at the theatre where both
xol ynt;I ungtarAnu wyhnm
Hitchcock failed to appear at the mat
inee.
Mr.. Fromme said: Hitchcock did
not go away Of his W accord. He
has either been kidnapped or murder
ed by the band of blackmailers by
whom he has been annoyed, threaten
ed and bounded for the last I've
years.
six OF these dozen men are known
by name to me. Mr.. Hitchcock has
lived in a state of continual terror on
account of their prosecutions for "
years. Nevertheless, he has not left
his wife voluntarily. He Is an inno-
cent man and there is no proof against
him that there is the slightest founda-
" NhS AAN~N
-Four men have been trailing him
for months. Now It turns out that
they are blackmailers. Last Monday
was anxious to have this
entire matter aired In court, but an
adjournment prevented this The case
was called for this afternoon. 1t Is
believed that he is the victim OF the
blackmailers who are not anxious to
have the case threshed out"
While these stories gained some Gre
dence, the police did not relax their
effort to locate Hitchcock which be-
gan when a police alarm for his arrest
was sent out last night All out
going steamers were visited and their
lists scrutiniZed. A wire
less message was sent to the Majestic
which sailed yesterday. The detectives
also watched the train stations BUT
late tonight their vigilence had not
been rewarded. District Attorney Je-
rome tonight sent two detectives TO
BOSTON. This action probably grew
out OF a statement by a railroad con-
ductor who thought he had Hitchcock
as a passenger from this city TO North
Adams yesterday.
This conductor, G. B. Keller, re-
turned to New York tonight. His
train picked up, he said tonight. three
men passengers AZ 125th street yes
terday. In one Of the three he thought
he recognized Hitchcock. He was not
positive Of the Identification. He had,
however, seen Hitchcock on the stage
and for the moment did not doubt that
the comedian and his passenger were
one and the same.
His troubles have assumed severaf
phases. He first caused the arrest %
a boy who, he alleged, had attempted
to blackmail him. Disclosures In the
case led TO Hitchcock's arrest and ne
was arraigned Monday. The case
went over until today and he was re-
leased on Sc, 900 bail. Meantime the
grand jury returned six indictU'nts
against the actor some OF fNH-7 g. =
ing criminal assault and a''".' a.
When the original case was ca!'~@ TO
day and the defendant f"''"'
pear his counsel asked th1t - &c
be continued for one wee'. RI 3
trict attorneys assistant r'ade 3D.
lection, and the magiF'-atn he
hearing for next Wednesday az on
ouarantined at His Home O. laden