The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-03-26
Man who Left Ten Year Old
Daughter Stranded in Albu-
querque Monday Night May
be a Suicide.
SAID TO HAVE GIVEN
EVIDENCE OF TROUBLE
Police Fail to Find any Trace
of Man who Represented
Himself as in Engineering
Service of the Santa Fe

After Investigation Of the circum-
stances leading up to the disappear
anco Of william Pierce, who van
ishcd from his boarding house on
West silver avenue Monday night
leaving his ~ten-ycar-oid daughter
the police today were unable TO de-
eide whether they were dealing with
"a simnlc cuse uf child abandonment
and b~ili-beating OF "a tragedy. Al
though Pierce is said 90 have LETT
debts amounting TO Sl00 behind HIM,
several OF those who became ac-
apalnted with him during the two
weeks he was IN town said today that
he had given them the impression OF
q man under stress Of great trouble
and they believed the man had taken
his lie.
Pierce came 10 this city two weeks
ago last Monday. lie said he came
from WinsloW. Ark. and represent
ed himself as "a man Of wealth, and a
construction engineer engineer in the
SANTA he company's service. accord
Ing 10 the Information gathered by
the police. With him was "a ten
year-old girl. whom he said was MS
daughter. Violet Mabel The child
SAYS he was her father, and those
who became acquainted with the mhh
ana the child say the resemblance
between them left no doubt OF their
relationship.
Pierce spoke often of his wealth,
aud the number 81 his Investments
lie is said to nave hcgun negotiations
with a cafe proprietor on South Sec
end street FOR the purchase OF the
business. The cafo owner b. q 81
. several people who are said 60 have
advanced the supposedly wealthy en-
gincer money.
Pierce was about a. years old, well
dressed and of good presence. lie
/ talked like a man of education ana
culture. but 10 several OF his new
acquaintances he gave the impression
Of being somewhat queer. lie Is
said TO hnve hiutsd az family uou-
hlcs a south sccond4Etreet business
man who bocame acquainted with
Pierce said today II % the latter on
one occasion spoke gloomlly Of ltcr
Z and said lt wasn't worth living.
when Pierce failed 10 return Co his
boarding house Monday night the
little giri WINS questioned, ana she
z said her father had hade Ter farewcil
/ before leaving the house lie came O.
her very solcmniy, she said. nno
kissed her, saying ms too bad we
have Ca part
Then he left the house and van
lshcd. From the time ne sissed the
little Eiri good-hye not "a trace OF the
man has been found.
From the fact hat Pierce travelled
I with hiy daughter and because of MS
general appearance ana hearing, those
who had 20 do with him are not In
I clined "a believe that he rs the type
Of man who makes a business OF run
ming up debts and skipping "a The
little girls presence ana tne impress
sion that a. was under stress of some
trouble leads 10 the fear hat he went
away TO end his life.
Charitable people who have learned
Of the case are interesting Themselves
In the case OF the little girl They
are trying to find a home for her
she H. a bright. healthy child, of
cheerful disposition. chief Of Police
McMilhn Is ono Of those who hav,
been moved by compassion for IA,
/ child's plight 90 help Ia the search
for a home, and anyone who feels
moved Ia give the forlorn little CIR
motheriy care may communicate with
the chief. Inquiries may also be
made of John Kerr, Second street
and silver venue