New-York tribune., 1911-01-15
THE MYSTERY OF HYDE
Absence of City Chamberlain
from Office Almost a Sensation.

Charles n. HYDE started on his winter
vacation on November 20, and up to this
morning had been absent from his official
duties for forty-eieht DAYS In that time
he has been variously reported as at his
home in Rosyn, Long Island; on the
ocean. bound for parts unknown. and down
In Florida, where he was finally located.
The legislative graft committee, which
has been engaged i'm the work OF trying
70 uncover facts concerning the legislative
bribery in connection with the fight on the
snti-racetrack gambling bill in 1908, has
been one of the bodies most persistent
in its search after Mr. Hyde. During the
last days Of the year 1910 It threatened 10
issue subpoena for his appearance. This
subpoena. the purpose of which was 10 get
him 10 testify before the committee, would
be OF no use now, even had it been issued.
as the life of the committee expires to-
oay. and 1t will have no jurisdiction in the
case hereafter, unless the present Demo-
cratic Legislature takes special action.
According to NJ. Linn Bruce counsel for
The committee, HYDE promised him that he
would take the stand ald answer questions
regarding the allegations Of Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Elder. OF Kings He neither
sraft committee nor sent word that he
would not be able TO attend.
When It became definitely established
that Hyde was not at his home in Roslyn
nor at his city home in the Waldorf, the
search was taken up in all sections of the
country. some Of the seekers after the
elusive City Chamberlain even extending
their inquiries as far as Battle Creek
Mich. and after that the scent turned 10
the South
John V Smith. Hyde's private secretary,
said that he had received three postal
cards from his chief since December !,
the last one being from Beaufort, S. c, He
was then supposed to be on his way TO
Florida. On another occasion, Mr. Smith
said, Hyde had called him from Philadel-
phia on the telephone. Despite the fact
that newspapers throughout the country
we're filled with stories about his disap-
pearance. Mr. Hyde sent no word TO his
Office as TO when he would return He ap-
peared 10 have been swallowed In a. sea
of oblivion.
When the Northern Bank Of New York
failed. on December q, it was discovered
that HYDE had designated this bank as a
city depositary. More than S2oO,0oo was in
the bank at the time of its failure, and
the amount was only bonded to the extent
OF $4,000 According 10 the city charter,
Hyde. end not the city, would have to
make up the deficit. should there be q loss,
n Is said. When the failure of the North
srn Bank was followed By the failure of
the Carnegie Trust. where $4,000 of city
money was on deposit, additional EFFORTS
10 trace Hyde were made.
Private investigs ton led 70 the an
nouncement that Hyde on the night of
December II. accompanied by William Fox,
private detective visited his home at
Roslyn On the day the Northern Bank
closed, December q. IL is said that Fox
again went 20 the Hyde home in Long
Island and removed some papers belonging
10 the City Chamberlain.
week ago to-day. II Is alleged six
trunks and valise, al marked With the
CITY Chambsrlain's name, were checked
from Roslyn TO St Augustine. Fla. on
tickets bought by Mrs Hyde. The next
dsv Mrs. HYDE, with her two children and
4wo maids. took a Long Island train at
Jineols for the Pennsylvania station in
this city, where they are ssid 10 have
boarded another train for 81. Augustine
Two days before he was seen in Roslyn,
Hyde was said to have been seen at the
home OF Joseph Carroll, in Teaneck, " j.
Mr. Hyde was said to be on his house
boat Stop-a-Whis, six miles above Ormond
Beach. Fla At that time Hyde's boat had
etuck It's nose into a mudbank and could
not be budged That was the most circum
etantial ana plausible story published until
to-day
The stop-a-While had left 81. Augustine
-hs day before and had gone down the st.
Augustine Dsytona Canal The newspaper
cnrresnnndent tnnk a train for Ormnnd-