The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-09-07

AND LEFT 70 DIE.
Mysterious Disappearance of
Business Man Being Clear
ed Up by Investigation
Pittsburg, Sept. William Shan
non Smith, q prominent live stock
insurance broker. who disappeared
July 1S last from Pittsburg, while
he was waiting for his wife at the
Lake Erie station, was drugged in
this city, taken to Chicago in train,
or an automobile, and murdered for
his money, $3.50, and his jewelry, sew
eral pieces of which were very val
liable.
He was reported having been found
dying, In the streets in Chicago, and
verdict Of suicide rendered, but his
wife and children. and the woman
from whose house he disappeared,
Mrs. Martha Cunningham, Of 64
Mount Oliver street, Allentown, af-
ter thorough Investigation covering
several weeks, say they have posi-
tive proof that he was murdered, al
though they have not located his mur-
derer or murderers They will ask
the Allegheny county detective bu-
reau, and the Cook county authori-
ties to find the assassins.
Smith was resident of New Cas-
tie, but had lived in and about Pitts
burg for years He made considerable
money and had no financial or other
troubles With his wife he had visit
ed his wife's sister-in-law, Mrs. Mar
tina Cunningham, in Mount Oliver.
Mrs. Smith had gone home and In
tended to return Saturday night, July
II. Smith had a check for $3.50 and
left Mrs. Cunningham's house shortly
after dinner In the evening to get the
check cashed at Farney's restaurant,
in Allentown. He Ect the money and
started for the depot. When his wife
arrived he was not there to meet her,
and that was the last seen of him
alive.
Died Within Hour.
A few days later a report came
from Chicago that he was found in
the streets doped. He was taken to
hospital and died within an hour.
Not paper nor piece of jewelry was
found on him to identify him, save an
old ring OF no value, and the name of
Euwer Bros, New Castle, sewed on
his coat. 1t was through this suit
his identity was established, and his
wife and family notified the following
Thursday. They went to Chicago, but
before they arrived an inquest had
been held and the death pronounced
suicide.
Mouth Not Burned.
Refusing to believe that her hus-
band could ever commit suicide be-
cause of his happy disposition and
comfortable circumstances in life,
Mrs. Smith demanded all his effects,
clothes, etc., and asked for the car
boltc acid bottle found with the dy-
ing man. 1t was found that por-
ton Of his hand had been burned by
the acid dropping on it, but no burns
at or near the mouth. The bottle
was also scratched all over. so that
1t was impossible to tell where the
acid had been purchased, whether in
Chicago or Pittsburg, evidently to
prevent tracing the person who
bought the drug. Mrs. Cunningham
said:
"If Mr.. Smith had been crazy from
drink he would not have so carefully
removed this evidence. His wife came
to Pittsburg and learned just what
papers he had when he left our
house.
Jewelry Was Gone.
Not one of these papers were
found on him and watch he carried,
belonging to Mrs. Smith, with the in
itials "A. B. s. engraved inside the
case, was also missing. II 1t had been
pawned he would have had the ticket,
or at least the pawn shops Of Chicago
and Pittsburg were available to the
police and the could have found this
watch and established who left 1t.
II stolen and not pawned, of course,
1t could not be traced. His stickpin
was missing and every dollar, even
his pocketbook.
"If he had. not been robbed and Just
spent his money where was the emp
ty pocketbook? We traced him from
the house to the Smithfeld street
bridge, and that was the last heard
of him. The ticket agents at the rail-
road stations in Pittsburg when
shown his photograph, he being an
unusual man and 81 years OF age,
were. positive no such person bought
q ticket to Chicago that night
His Own Money for Fare.
From what we know Mr.. Smith
was drugged by someone who saw
him get the check cashed, and after
he was supplied placed on train and
taken to Chicago. his own money be-
ing used for fare. The acid was af-
terwards administered to him, II he
died from that cause. either in beer,
coffee or water. and he was left to
die in the streets. We expect the pc
lice in this city and county, will es-
f0hlfSh fhoaa facts - 't,.F. y. ..-.