The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1922-03-13
CLARK FAILS TO
RETURN HERE AS
OFFICERS WORRY
official Family Of chiokasha An
nounee Disappearance Of Judge
W. w. Clark; Missing Since
Last Tuesday.
QUIET SEARCH STAGED
BUT WITHOUT RESULTS
Was Seen In Oklahoma City and FL
Reno; Wednesday Last Trace;
Records o. X. as Far as
Known; Search Continues.

After conducting quiet search
for several days. city officials made
known publicly for tho first time
today that they are entirely baffled
at the mystery surrounding the dis
appearance OF Judge w. w. Clark
aged n, city treasurer who left
Chickasha last Tuesday morning and
who had not returned today.
Judge Clark left here Tuesday
morning. announcing that he was
going to Oklahoma City. Investlga.
tion led by Mayor o. Coffman and
J. X. Wellborn. city clerk. revealed
that he was seen In III Reno Tues
day evening by Oscar wilkes. Rock
Island engineer who formerly lived
in Chickasha; that he registered at
the Lawrence hotel In Oklahoma City
early Wednesday morning and
checked out about $3.50 o'clock that
afternoon. No trace of his where
abouts since that time has been re-
vealed In the investigation.
After checking out of the hotel
in Oklahoma City, the missing city
treasurer engaged In a lengthy con.
versation with W.'E. Smith, formerly
OF this city, who now lives In Okla
homa City, according to information
gathered by Mayor Coffman. He
told Mr.. Smith, 1t was learned, that
he would leave Oklahoma City at
6:10 o'clock and should arrive in
Chickasha at 9:20 o'clock. This is
the last time he has been seen, as
far as is known here. John r. Well.
born, city clerk, went to Oklahoma
City Saturday afternoon to continue
the search for the missing official.
He was unable to find any clue of
him.
Foul Play Is Feared.
That the treasurer, who is bit
feeble, has met with foul play, was
one of the theories expressed this
morning at the city hall. He cashed
a personal check for $27 the evening
before he left, which is the extent
of money he had on his person, as
far as is definitely known.
Insofar as 1t was known this
morning, there has been nothing
wrong in the conduct of the officials
office. None of the city's funds are
missing, it was learned in an exami-
nation of records Saturday afternoon.
An examination Of the contents OF
the safe in the treasurers office will
be made today, according to plans.
The $4,000 worth of sewer, water
and street improvement bonds which
were sold last week for delivery
some time within the next Is days
were kept in the vault. An invoice
of the government securities owned
by the city and which have been kept
in the vault of a local bank will be
made Immediately II Judge Clerk
fails to return today, 1t was learned
authoritively this morning.
Members Of the city's official fam
lily gave no credancy to the theory
that there may have been mis-con-
duct in the office. Officials believe
that all of the city's property in the
custody of the treasurer will be ac-
counted for.
Treasurer Since 1915.
Judge Clark has held the office of
city treasurer since May 8, 1915. He
is now serving his fourth term. He
is a popular and widely-known MEM
Der of the knights Of Pythias lodge
Of Oklahoma, and is also a member
Of hte Elks and Masonic orders.
Before becoming city treasurer, he
served as justice of the peace here.
He maintained fire insurance
agency in connection with that office
and is still in control Of the agency.
Judge Clark was one of the pioneer
business men Of the city. He was
engaged in the grocery business here
for several years before coming into
public life. In addition to the city
treasurership, Judge Clark holds the
office of treasurer of the Chamber
OF Commerce. He has been active
in civic as we'll as in lodge activities
here for long time.
During the past several years, he
has lived at 412 South Sixth street.
Monday preceding his departure on
Tuesday, he decided this property to
his wife. His friends aver that he
had been intending to transfer the
ownership Of this property for some
time.
Mrs. Clark, the aged wife of the
missing official, is living with
friends here while the search fol
aer husband is being made.
Mra CLARK when seen vesterday