The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1921-03-11
\. r ALEXANDER |
IS THOUGHT HAVE
ENDED OWN LIFE
PROMINENT FARMER AND CAT
TIE DEALER MYsTERIouSLY
DISAPPEARED FROM HOME.
TELEGRAM FROM YUMA, ARIZONA
Says Man Fitting Description of Mr..
Alexander Killed Himself There
Neutrality-suspicious. Make Complete
Identlficat alton Continue.

cattle dealer, big farmer, dealer in
phosphate lands, and one of the most
prominent and widely known citizens
Of Maury county, is believed to have
committed suicide at Yuma, Arizona,
Tuesday, according to information re-
ceived here by friends and relatives.
The finding of the body at Yuma, To-
Gated in one of the most remote spots
of the United States, on the line be-
tween Arizona and California, and
near the international line which sep
arates the United States from Mexico,
and the mysterious disappearance of
Mr.. Alexander from his home here,
and his somewhat peculiar actions
Just prior to his disappearance have
been coupled together by friends and
relatives here, and it is no longer
doubted that Mr.. Alexander came to
his death by his own hands.
On last Thursday Mr.. Alexander
shipped d car load of cattle to the
Louisville market, and on which he is
reported to have lost heavily. lie is
also reported to have lost considerable
money in phosphate transactions dur
ing the past few months, but after
getting out his cattle Thursday, with
out saying a word to his family con-
corning his departure from home, he
is said to have. boarded a train for
Alabama, and for day or two he re-
NAMED in Northern Alabama and was
seen in Florence, Sheffield and Deca-
tur. 1t is reported that William Bur-
nett, of Columbia, saw Mr.. Alexander
at Decatur, and that Mr.. Alexander
told Mr.. Burnett he was in search of
work as a laborer. Mr.. Burnett tried
to persuade; Mr.. Alexander to return
to Columbia with him. reminding him
of the fact that he had two good
farms and other splendid property in
Maurya county which needed his at
tentton. Mr.. Burnett's efforts to have
Mr.. Alexander return with him prov
ed unavailing, and the next report of
MA 4AlfYandsr,s whereabouts came
from Birmingham where he is report
ed TO, have been seen by someone who
knew him,
It is said that Mr. Alexander pur-
chased ticket at Decatur, Ala, for
Florida, and later went back to the
ticket Office and stated that he had
decided not to go to Florida and want
cd TO exchange his ticket for one to
New. Orleans. At this time Mr.. AL
exander's disappearance was causing
considerable uneasiness at home, and
every effort was being made to locate
him. Friends here got into communi-
cation with Fred Evans, an old Column
bia boy, but who now lives at New Or
leans, and Mr.. Evans notified rail
road and civil authorities of Mr.. AL
exander's disappearance and sought
their aid in locating him. A verita
BILE dragnet was spread by railroad de-
tectives and state and county authori-
ties throughout the west, and it is be-
lieved that it was through this agency
the, report of the death was re-
ceived.
It is reported that Mr.. Alexander,
on the eve of his departure from Co
lumbia telephoned to Spring Hill and
secured the address of Percy Brown,
who is now in California. 1t is believ-
cd that Mr.. Alexander intended to
go to California and making an eort
to keep his whereabouts unknown,
he went to Yuma in the extreme south
western corner of Arizona.
The dead man was registered at the
Yuma Hotel as Charles Thompson, of
Knoxville, Tennessee, but according
to the description received by friends
here, the name Alexander Co
lumbia Tenn was found sewed in his
inner coat. The description
of the dead man stated that he weigh
cd about $50 pounds, and that he had
a crippled hand. This description tai
lies almost exactly with Mr. Alexan-
der. While he did not weigh $50
pounds, he was a large man and had
the appearance of weighing that much
He also had a crippled hand. The
laundry mark found in the dead mans
collar. A127, also TALES with Mr. Al.
exanders laundry mark at the Column
bia laundry. This was looked up on
the records here last night upon the
receipt of the telegram asking for in
foramtion.
Mr.. Alexander rs reported to have
attempted TO leave home before, hav-
ing been detained by his wife. who
urged him to remain. on the eve of
bis departure he is said to have told
a friend here he was going to
take "a long Journey but at that
time the friend thinking all was we'll
with him. said nothing to his family
or friends