The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-24
SHOT HIMSELF IN A CROWD.
lCToR COMMITS SUICIDE IN FRONT
or THE FTFTH 1VESUE HOTEL.

Fired Three Shots Mt His wife and Then
Sent Bullet to His Brain-Woman Not
Iniured-Suicide Was Out of Work and,
Apparently, His Mind Was Unbalanced.
Willis Clark, a variety actor who hadn't held
a steady job since sam T. Jack died a year
ago. attempted to kill his vito yesterday In
front Of the Fifth Avenue HOTEL He fred three
shots at her. mono Of which took effect. Then
ne put the revolver to his mouth and pulled the
trigger again. He fell dead ut the feet OF his
wife and child. A great crowd witnessed the
shooting and intense excitement prevailed in
the vicinity for an hour after the tragedy.
Clark had not lived with his wife for two
weeks. Mrs. Clark and her ten-year-old
daughter lived in n boarding house at 48 West
Twenty fourth street. Clark lived there, too.
until two months ago. when he went to Chi
caRo. He couldn't got work in this city and
went West to see II he might do better. He
left his wife and child without money and had
mono himself. He could find nothing to do In
Chicago. and on Dec. 10 he came back TO the
Twenty fourth street boarding house. He re-
manned with his wife and child that night.
and tho following morning Mrs. Heaurc. the
keeper OF the boarding house. notified him that
she could not keep the family In her house any
longer unless the 5000 board bill that they
owed her was paid. Thoreupon Clark left the
house. and Mrs. Hcaure agreed that hIs wife
and child should remain II Mrs. Clark would
work out the board bill.
Clark got n room In Bodies Ralnes law hotel
at Sixth avenue and Twenty fourth street. He
appeared at the boarding house every morning
and inquired for his wife. He was morose and
sullcn. and frequently accused his wife and
the boarding house keeper Of conspirng to
keep him from obtaining employment. Yes
loo, ftIur l.ttA
from her husband. asking her To meet him in
front OF the boarding house early IN tho after
noon. In tho letter Clark told his wife that
he wanted to talk over their affairs and see
what was best for them TO do He apoogIzcd
for his strange conduct since he Ind left her.
and said thnt although he had threatened sew
eral times 10 take her lie he meant nothing by
than ever. Mrs. Clark. with her daughter. met
him at the appointed time. Clark invited hiS
wife 70 ACCOMPANY him TO his room, but she
and talk over their troubles.
They walked toward broadway, and dis
noticed that her husband was very excited and
she said to him that she hoped he would not
s sS drPY sn nH cduGn HTpTd wanted mS dfG
IN y" 'front.' SI[ q tho III ASSngS iioq Mfs clark
Clark inside. They had come within twenty
feet OF the corner whom Clark pulled re-
s sSSsr a, ron RI. his x sekss head and dms sd Of A iSc
yxGiiS als%iRS !hSn,.;, AnciSer s5azsa her St
heal TO grain the right side Of her face, with
even scream. She stool still holding on To her
lnughicr's hand gazing in horror nj her hus-
band. Pcdc-trians who were near scattered.
and only, one man had the presence o. mind 70
husband about the waist. but before he could
reach the revolver Clark had shot himself
The Witnesses Of the shooting anil msny who
on the sidSwalk ! physician showed hiS way
bounced him dead. The crowd hal become so
dense dense IN the short time that Il surSed out into
man OF the Broadway squad telephnncd Tor au
ambulance Finally patrol wagon took the
body TO the West Thirticth street police sta
ton. His wife and child followed N II cab,
Mrs. Clark told Cant. Price that she could as
sign no reason for her husbands act except
his dc-pondoncy over not obtaining work.
Clark body was sent 10 the Morgue and his
wife and child wcrs allowed to 60 TO their
home.
Clark was AZ wears old and was born In Gin
cinnati. He had heen comedian In Sam T.
married HE wife twelve years ago IN n small
town In Ohio. When no failed 10 get work at
his profession he tried 10 make II living hv
writing Jokes for vrud"ylls actors. About six
which he called Willis Clarks Joke BOOK"
The book was not u successful ventura. and
publication was suspended after the nrst few
issues. The Actors Fund will hurr Clark
The suicide et long. inchhcrsnt and badly
written l.tter IN which h" abused his wife and
about everybody WHO hal triod to help
him. He said his sight was failing nm hinted
at Mot against him which was the cause Of
n" tragedy. He ,wrot" that he hai To-, lie and
asked the Actors Fund to bury him in Wood