Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-11
David Lockard Drops from Sight
as Twentieth Wedding
Anniversary Is Near
SON SCOUTS AFFINITY RUMoR
Accounts with Paint Company in
Good Condition, Says
Employer


company, with offices in the Security
building, and residing at 2131 West
Twenty eighth street, has dropped out
of sight. He has not been seen by his
family since Friday morning, June 3,
when he left his home, apparently in
good health and spirits. His accounts
with the company where he was en-
ployed are declared by e. G.. Judah,
the president of the concern, to be cor
rect in all respects, and that no de-
falcatiOn could be charged to Lock-
ard, as he handled no cash.
Mrs. Lookard, who is almost in a
state of collapse over her husband s
disappearance, is q sister of f. G.
Bonflls of Denver. Bonfils is the
owner of the Denver Post and is re-
puted to be a millionaire.
Lockard was out late the night pre-
ceding his disappearance. 1t was the
first time in years, except when some
member of his family was with him.
He arrived home at 1:30 o'clock in the
morning. Four and one-half hours
later he left his home, and no mem
ber of his family has seen him since
that time.
1t is possible that the explanation of
his strange disappearance is hidden In
the unrevealed events of that night.
His wife and children believe, however,
suddenly and has wandered away. His
home life was happy, he was domestic
in his tastes and his life is declared
to have been exemplary.
Last Friday morning, when Lockaro
left his home at o'clock, his usual
hour for going to his office, he kissed
his wife and children goodby, as was
his custom daily. His son, Thomas
Lockard, walked part of the distance
tn hn1
the parent took leave Of him with the
words:
"Be home early this evening, son,
and Wen have game of cards."
Shortly after 9 o'clock that morning
E. G.. Judah, noting the absence OF ms
bookkeeper telephoned to the latter
residence and learned OF his having
started for the office. No further Woro
has been had of him.
ACCOUNTS STRAIGHT
While rumors of an affinity and a
shortage in his accounts have been cir
culated in connection with Lockard' 8
disappearance, these reports have been
strenuously denied by his family, MS
friends and business associates.
David Lockard does not owe this
company one penny" said the president
of the Paraffine Paint company, ana
as FOR the affinity theory, that Is all
bosh. He has been under my eye Tor
the past five years, and during tnat
time 1 considered him one of my most
trusted employees In the first place, he
could not be guilty of defalcation, for
all our business is done by check. He
was not empowered to cash checks for
the company, and handled no coin
whatsoever.
''He was a man of exemplary habits,
whose sole thought was of MS family
and the only manner in which L can
explain his disappearance Is tnat ne
suddenly became mentally unbalanced
and wandered away. l know that his
home life was happy, that nothing In
the way of family difficulties would
cause him to disappear so suddenly and
mysteriously."
At the time Iockhard disappeared he
was not known to have any great
amount of money in his possession,
and his friends do not offer foul play
a a theory to explain his absence.
At Lockhard's home it was learned
that he was not in the habit of remain
ing away from his family at night. His
wife cannot assign reason for her
husbands disappearance. She is dazed
bv the affair, and cannot discuss IL
without breaking down.
Iockhard left behind him four chill
dren-Thomas, aged 19 years, employed
with local grocery firm; Fred, aged
16 years, a high school student, ana
Marjorie and Henrietta, aged respect
lively 13 and years
"0h, 7 know my papa did nothing
wrong" sobbed Marjorie. He was al
WAYS so kind to us He was here with
us every night, played with us just like
the best kind of a father, and loved us,
oh! so much! The morning he went
away he seemed to be just as happy
as ever He kissed us good by, ana we
haven't seen him since. don't know
where he has gone, but If he'd only
write to us to let us know he was well
we'd be satisfied. l know something
terrible has happened to him."
Little Henrietta, while not knowing
the real import of the affair, feels that
something is amiss. Yesterday she
wrote long letter to her absent father,
addressing it to San Francisco, where
she had been informed by the mother
that he had gone. The trembling, child
ish lines read:
LITTLE ONES LETTER
Dear Daddy: Won't you come
home to us soon? Mamma has been
i'll since you went away She cries
all the time. We miss you so much.
Is 1t cold in San Francisco? l am
so lonely for you. Come home as
soon as you can. With heaps Of
love. HENRIETTA.
Thomas, the eldest child of the family,
scouts the theory circulated as to the
father having an affinity. Dad" he
protested Vehemently, was too good a
man, and loved mother too we'll to let
another woman come into his life. He
has been home with US every night for
years; and at any time he cared to so
out at night one of US went with him
at his invitation. This is so sad a
blow Just think, next Saturday Is the
twentieth anniversary of the wedding
of father and mother. What sorrow
full one it will be? No, as to his ac-
counts being short, that is not true.
Mr.. Judah has assured us that his
books and correct in every detail"
1t was stated at the Office of the Par
affine Paine company that he mad not
been working unusually hard Of late,
nor were there any evidences of mental
Inbalanc0.