Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-01
MYSTERIOUS Disappearance of
Capt. w. A. Johnson Being
Probed by Police.
WAS ONCE A WEALTHY MAN
Al End Of His Resources. He Was Too
Proud to Seek Aid From His
Old Time Friends.

The police are making vigorous
search for Capt. w. a. Johnson, whose
MYSTERIOUS disappearance has driven
the fear that he has either committed
n suicide or been murdered.
According to Mrs. Johnson, her hus-
5and left the Cullen hotel Tuesday
morning at an early hour, and she has
not seen him since. Detectives and
friends Of the missing man have been
{ called in and are working on the case.
Capt Johnson's movements have been
traced up to 6 o'clock Tuesday night.
al which time he was last seen at the
Elks' club, of which nc IS prominent
and well known member After that
. The trail Is blank One of his friends
stated that Capt. Johnson told him
that he was going TO the knutsford
hotel Tuesday night, to see Tex" Rick
ard the Nevada mining man and prize
nght promoter. on business, but the friend
learned from the hotel that Rickard
had left there on Nov. 90. and had not
been there since.
THE MISSING MAN,
Capt. johnson is described as being
feet 10 inches In height. weighs 40
pounds, is SIS years OF age, has dark
complexion, iron grey hair and dropping
mustache, blue eyes, and when last
seen wore n soft light hat resembling a
military hat. tan shoes, light gray coat
II is said that he looks like Detective
Wheeling. the city detective who has
been assigned to the case by Chief oil
Police Barlow.
Those intimate with Capt. Johnson's
Affairs told a pathetic story regarding
the probable causes of his sudden and
mysterious disappearance. Al one time
he was one of the most prominent min
ing experts in the world and was as
ISOLATED with John Hays Hammond,
the famous mining engineer. For many
years he was manager for the Guggen-
helms. and for some time managed their
properties in Nicaragua and South
America.
He accumulated several fortunes,
which were GlssIpated by numerous
mining speculations. After severing his
connef tion with the GuSgcDheims. IL is
said that he was closely associated
with Cecil Rhodes in South Africa. He
distinguished himself in the Boer war.
and was recommended for promotion
by General Kitchner because of his gal
lartry on the field OF battle.
FINANCIAL REvERSES.
ON leaving South Africa. it is said,
Capt. johnson came west and engaged
IN mining ventures In Nevada and.
Utah. He sank large fortune in de-
reloping l9 claims near YerIngton.
Ne9., where he married n beautiful
school teacher. 81 years of age, just
nine months ago. About 4 month after
the marriage, Capt Johnson brought
his bride to Salt Lake City.
II appears that he has met with
numerous heavy financial reverses dur
Ing the last six months. Last Satur-
dny, the management of the Cullen
hotel notified him that he would have
10 pay q bill OF long standing, or he
would be elected. Capt. Johnson ask
ca tor time to settle tho obligation,
and was given two days of grace.
lie tried in vain to raise money on
low securities and mining stocks, and
was on the verge OF despair. He was
TOO proud to ask his old friends OF
prosperous days for loans. and even
did not tell his young wife that he had
reached the limit financially and that
the Cullen hotel management had Or
dered them 10 leave.
Mrs Johnson Is destitute She Is
almost Insane with worry over her hus-
pand's disappearance, and can not ac-
count for his not telling her of his in
tcntions. She refuses to discuss the
case, but 1t Is known that she does not
believe Capt Johnson has left the city
she thinks her husband has commit
tedy suicide or has been murdered. it
is said