Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-21
A REAL ESTATE MANS FLIGHT.
Robt. Il. Clarke Has Lef His Business and
HOme-Many People Sorruwinv.

Robt. Il. Clarke Has Left HIS Business and
Home-Many People sorro~inx.
There are a number of people who would
like to See Robert E. Clarke. He has been the
representative in this city for several months
past of the Southern Land Exchange, the
Newport News Development Company,
the Metropolitan Cooperative Bank of New
York, the Southern Land Company OF
Baltimore, Landover Park near this city and
other companies and enterprises. Today he
cannot be found at his office in the Atlantic
building, and those interested in the companies
which he operates are unable to find any Of his
books and papers. Before leaving the city.
which he did early Thursday morning. he de-
stroyed all his books and left his safe empty
Mr.Ciarke is young man of pleasing address
and versatile talents. He is about thirty-five
years OF age and hns devoted the greater part
OF his mature years to the stage and
has been connected with several companies
OF transformers that have invaded the
country towns. He landed in this city last
May and began to teach music. Last October
he went into the real estate business but it was
not until December that he developed his
peculiar methods.
HIS EXTENSIVE ADvERrrsNa.
He then branched into an extensive system
OF advertising and patronized the papers in
this city and throughout the country. He paid
cash when he was obliged to. but otherwise he
believed In the credit system. Some of the news
papers throughout the country would no doubt
like to see some of Mr.. Clarke's money. His
local enterprise was Landover Park, tract OF
land on the Baltimore and Potomac rail-
road, about eight miles from this city. 1t is
stated that he never secured the deeds
to this property and that his first payment,
amounting to $500, was made by means of a
check dated February 20, and which, upon pre-
sentation at the Columbia Bank, was returned
not good.
Anumber of checks bearing the same date has
been presented at the bank. 1t IL said that he
sold quite a number of lots in Landover Park
and also number of shares in the Southern
Land Company Of Baltimore, as we'll as shares
in other companies which he represented. II
Is believed that he has taken with him q large
sum Of money.
EFFORTS TO BRING HIM BACK.
Efforts will be made to secure his return to
this city. He has, however, good start. He
left his home, sos1f I street north
west, early Thursday morning and, 10 his
wife says, without telling her that he
was going away. During the day she
received a letter from him which had been
mailed in Baltimore, stating that his business
affairs were in such a condition that If he re-
NAMED here be would be landed in the peniten-
tiary. He also intimated that he might be
brought home a corpse.
Those who know Clarke have no idea
that he will commit suicide. His wife, who has
one child, is left, she SAYS. entirely without
money, her husband even taking her jewelry.
She claims that she does not know
what to do and how she will live.
Clarke has not been living extrayagantly
during his residence in this city. and If he has
fako vwix oil hat he ia
posed to have gathered together during his
brief career here he is now better off fnan-
CHILLY than he has ever beer before in his life.
MRS. BALDY IN CHARGE.
Mrs. Badly of Baltimore, the president Of the
Southern Land Company, was today in posses
sion of Clarke's Office. She found nothing
in the safe and says that she is en-
tirely ignorant of Clarke's methods. The
stockholders Of the company and persons
who have invested money with Clarke have
been coming in, and Mrs. Baldy says that abe is
gradually getting some idea OF the
situation. As soon as she can find
endeavor to adjust the affairs of the company
and get them in shape. Owing to the fact that
he destroyed all his books and papers and that
he was given full swing, 1t is
difficult to form any estimate of
the amount of his depredations upon the pub
TIC mere anu elbeWucrc. ~ 10 NOT OeAcNco W Dc
an amount of any great magnitude, but still
the loss will fall upon people Of small means
and in some cases will be severely felt.
ATTACKED By THE NEW YORK SUN.
Capt. Leonard the deputy US. marshal. oc-
cupied the desk of the absent Robert E. Clarke
in the Office in the Atlantic building for a
short time this afternoon. He checked OF
the various articles in the room. which had
been appraised by Ratcliffe 4 Darr, the auc-
tioneers and attached the entire property upon
a writ issued by the Sun Publishing Company
Of New York city. Their claim for advertise
ment amounts to 81 800, and the value OF the
furniture. including large safe, was ESQ.
The rent of the rooms Tor one month, amount
ting to s45, is also due. During the day a
number of women and others interested in the
schemes advertised by Clarke called to see him
looking at his desk and peering into the empty
safe. .