The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-15

disappearance and searches for him are being continued.
 Various opinions have been expressed as to how Detective Mclean disap- peared and the reason of his sudden absence, and during yesterday the de- tective department received reports that he had been seen at many places on Shades mountain.
 The meager definite information that is to be had in the matter is that NC, Lean has not been seen here since Thursday, that a farmer picked up note in handwriting identical with that of Mclean. which was fastened to bunch of keys, some of which fit locks in the Burns offices here, and that the note says that he was robbed and ao- ducted
 The nbte was addressed "to who- ever may find it. and was written on q piece of wrapping paper. On the back was note instructfng that the finder give the paper to Chief Shirley of the detective department. The letter is dated "Thursday, near dark" on the top of the page. and in about the mid dle, dated again Sunday
 The note states that he, Mclean, was called to the Cosby warehouse on Six teenth street on supposed business, that when he arrived there two men, un- known to him, attacked him, taking from him his pocketbook, containing s100 in gold certificates, $250 Tn So' S1o and $20 bills, his watch and ms gun. 1t says that he was then bound and put into a hay car, by the men who used the names of Henry ana Mack" in addressing each other and who read two-weeks-old newspapers about the strike.
 +Lo 6 German and that both men must be l. w. w. men. They complained about not hear ing from the boss" and finally carried him to what he judged to be Shades mountain from the noise reaching him made by the trains.
 The writing begins again under the new date of Sunday, where the note says that his captors told him he would be either free or dead within 24 hours His nour- ishment. it was said consisted of milk brought to him in a square pickle bottle. He added that if he was moved he would drop the note and keys and that the finder should notify the detective depart ment and also the Burns office The writ ing ended suddenly in a mere scrlople, but the name Charles E. Mclean was signed in a steady handwriting.
 Chief Shirley stated that he had no statement to make except that the de- us srtment would continue the search TOT him. He said he had no explanation to offer of the queer disappearance and the note.
 The note, dated Near Dark, Thurs day., states that Mclean had been held captive since Thursday morning. and cer- tain persons have declared to have known his exact whereabouts until midnight Thursday.
 Sometime ago Mclean found a threat addressed to him in his office, and II ls said that three men called on him at about that time, one of whom was heard to say that he would get the "aecursed fellow yet"
 Mclean had been in Birmingham three years. coming here from New Orleans. He has been connected with prominent cases the last of which was the eatehing of Salisberry, who was said to be mo- torious crook and forger and who was wanted in several cities on olHereht charges. Albert Bourgeoise, inspector Tor the Burns agency, was in Birmingham last Thursday and is now in charge Of the office here Information from New Orleans received since the disappearance of Mclean says that he is not there now and has not been there.
 According to farmer Williams, Me Lean was seen on Shades mountain yes terday at about noon and approacned ny Williams, who says that the other man smoke gruffIy to him and sent him away.
 Reports that have come in say that ne is on Shades mountain. walking around and sleeping in vacant houses. but up until last night the searehers of the de- tectives had not found him.
 Rumors indicate that Mclean has not been well of late and has some trouble, and is not quite himself. It is also said that Mclean was going to leave Bir- mingham al an early date However, no proof of this has been ascertained.
 Chief Shirley stated that he has no charge against Mclean and that so far as he knows no one has preferred charges against him.