The herald., 1897-03-14

excuse could be made for delaying the
transaction he left to have the mort
gage papers prepared. 1t was now or
never with the officers and accordingly
he was arrested as stated on the side
walk at Second and Broadway and
hurried to the jail, where he was close
ly interrogated.
CLARK UNDER ARREST.
He admitted that both the first and
last deeds had been signed by Miss
Douglas In his presence, and contended
that the Instruments were straight and
correct. Asked what was the woman's
address he pretended not to know and
In fact maintained stubborn silence
He said that the property transferred
was school land and that he had bought
1t In good faith. Seeing that nothing
could be obtained from him the detec-
tives once more took up the hunt for
the woman, working on descriptions
given by Oliver and Prayer. Success
finally rewarded their efforts, for yes
terday morning at 10 o'clock Miss Doug
las was found in her room in the Main
street lodging house, arrested and es-
corted to jail.
WOMAN MAKES A CONFESSION.
There she was taken into the chiefs
office and interrogated In the presence
of the detectives Her name was given
as Anna Douglas and her occupation as
a seamstress. She formerly roomed at
124h South Spring street, where Clark
had his office and became acquainted
with him some three months ago. Clark
had called on her several times and kept
up their acquaintance after she had re-
moved to her Main street lodgings.
Along about February 2Sd last Clark
called on her and said that he required
her assistance in a little real estate
deal which he had on hand. He wanted
her to go with him before a notary pub
lie and sign her name to deed of land
for which service hewould pay her well.
1t would be necessary for her to repre-
sent her first name as Harriet instead
of Anna, but this would not matter
Miss Douglas says she told him that she
was entirely ignorant of the methods of
real estate transfers and did not want
to do anything which would cause her
trouble. but he repeatedly assured her
that everything would be all right, that
she had nothing to do save sign the
name of Harriet Douglas and take the
oath as required.
HOW 1T WAS DONE.
Under these representations she ad-
mits that she accompanied Clark before
Notary oliver and signed the deed as
requested. Immediately after doing this
Clark escorted her home and she did. not
see him again until Wednesday morn
ing last when he again called and told
her that the first papers had been de-
clared velueless because of flaw in the
wording and made an appointemnt for
1880 In the afternoon at which time he
called and escorted her to Prayers Of
fee where she repeated the former oper-
alton. Necessarily she had not seen
Clark since because he has been in Jail.
This, the woman asserted was the true
story of her connection with the case
+ a. II. 4
her name was Henrietta instead Of Anna
Douglas. Miss Douglas is a woman of
about 45 years of age and not particu-
larly prepossessing appearance. She
dresses fairly well and was able to carry
out her assumed part before the notaries
In manner which excited no suspicion.
After telling her story she was turned
over to Matron Gray and given cell in
the woman's department of the Jail to
await her arraignment.
+ ARRAIGNED IN COURT.
Clark was taken into the township
court late in the afternoon and arraign-
ed upon the complaint charging forgery
being sent to Jail in default of $1,000 bonds
TO await examination. The complaint
upon which he is now held is based upon
the forgery of the first deed, witnessed
by Notary oliver, and which was duly
passed through the recorders office
police court for the second offense and
Clark will undoubtedly have his hands
full in trying to clear himself Of his
sscrape. The officers claim to have def
mite knowledge that about six months
ago Clark worked the same game, forg-
ing the name of a resident of Philadel-
phia to deed and mortgaging the prop
erty. He was never prosecuted for this
because the Philadelphia owner would
not spend the time to make trip to this
coast to appear against him.
NO NOVICE IN THE BUSINESS.
In his possession when arrested Clark
had list Of nonresident property own
ers Of the county and a description of
their holdings. The list embraced none
but property which is clear of incum-
brance, and Clark had evidently intend
ed doing a big business, but was unfor-
tunately cut short in his career by his
arrest In personal appearance the
prisoner is very ordinary looking, about
80 years old and dressed rather shabbily.
He is unmarried and has resided with
his father for several years, being we'll
known in the vicinity. In business he
has been failure and in his present
scheme has also run up against a snag
in the law