A MISSING BROTHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13870, 2 October 1908, Page 6

A MISSING BROTHER.

CURIOUS .LETTER FROM AMERICA. ■■"■'■■'.•' ■• : '■ ■' 7 '■'.''■. ■ "■■ , . if;' [by.-telegraph.—own correspondent.] CHHiSTcmmcH, Thursday. A curious story comes to the Christchurch Press from America.■... ■ The editor has received a letter from Mr. Peter M. Williams, of Hillsboro'; Indiana, asking for assistance in discovering his brother, Harry Herbert Williams. ■ The writer states that he received a letter from' his brother Harry, dated Christchurch, May 25, 1906, in which ho stated that he was working for the Continental Wool and Supply Company, of Christchurch, and that his letters should be addressed to - the company's care at 524, Wellington Avenue, in this i city. Mi*. Williams says he "has written,; and has discovered there is no such com-j pany, and no such avenue or-street in I Christchurch. / • " ] Mr. Williams goes on to say, "The last word -we got was a brief letter, from him, at San Francisco, saying he would sail in the .Sonoma, which was to leave on April 19.' On the 18th, the great earthquake tore up, the city, and about two weeks ; after that we saw in the Indianapolis News that the vessel; did not sail. We had about concluded that the \ had beent killed in the earthquake, when we received his letter, dated Christchurch,; May 25, 1906, saying he had arrived there, and was at work" for the company mentioned. We have investigated the sailing of vessels, but cannot find where any vessel sailed; from 'Frisco from April 7 to the date of the'earthquake. "Now, it occurs to us that he may have been shanghaied, shipped to some island, and ; allowed to write this letter, which could have been taken to your city, and mailed, so as to make it appear that he was there. His father, Mr. .- A. J. Williams, died on May 26, through grief at losing his son, and his mother is now also dying through grief. Harry ,- is aged 24 years, about sft Bin in height, would weigh about lOst, has a fair complexion, light brown hair,. Audi, large brown eyes. His front; teeth were lather broad, and somewhat prominent when he was laugh-, ing, or talking, and it seemed that he slightly lisped." -. ' ; •