The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-05-31
ARRESTED
PlTTSBURG MAN HELD ON
SUSPICION AT CANTON
HE ACCUSED HIMSELF
Is the Same Fellow Who
Tried to Suicide.

Clarence G. Shields, of Pittsburg. the
man who few days ago attempted to
commit suicide by taking large dose
Of strychnia at the Mckinley hotel in
this city, was arrested by officers
Schlemmsr and Brsbin last night
about 10 o'clock and placed In the city
prison on suspicion.
Shields brought his arrest upon him
self. Ever since he attempted suicide
he has been talking In manner that
has led the authorities to believe that
he Is either demented or suffering
mentally for some of his actions. He
told a number Of persons that he was
connected with the Pittsburg Construc-
tion company and that he and two
others in its employ had embezzled
$4,000, but that 1t would not be dis
covered for a week or more and he was
going to close up his affairs here and
then go where no one would find him.
He left the city Thursday evening
but returned last night at 9:27. Chief
police of Pittsburg and asked them to
ascertain whether there was anything
in the story. When Shields arrived
In the city Officer Schlemmer shad-
owed him for half an hour or so, fol-
lowing him into a couple of saloons
and to the hotel. 1t was then decided
to arrest him, although no word had
been received from Pittsburg.
Officer Schlemmer Investigated the
story from the local end He found
that Shields had told the embezzle-
ment story to young lady in this city
with whom he had been keeping COM
pany, and had repeated It to the clerk
at the hotel, Sergeant Donahue and
others. When brought into headquar-
ters Shields talked nationally and In
sisted that there was nothing for
which he could be held He salu:
"If were criminal, do you think
that I would come back to Canton on
a trip like the one which / now am
taking? | have been In Pittsburg a
good many years Of my life. You can
call up Police Station No. there and
they will tell you my standing. You
can telephone e. c. Winternitz, man.
ager of the John Mulholland company
and he will vouch as to my character
| worked for that firm of bankers and
manager and Investigator. | left them
because my salary did not suit me
That was the only place in my business
career which I handled money.
have only been with the window
!, cleaning concern for the past two
weeks. have come to Canton a gooG
many times for the reason that have
relatives here who treat me very nice
and It is a pleasure to be with them
When | gave the doctor check for the
, professional work he had done for me
when / took the dose of strychnia
was so dazed | made It payable tc
the Pittsburg Savings bank instead
of the Pittsburg Trust company.
presume he found 1t not genuine.
came back this evening to rectify II
and to pay all Of the other debt!
which 1 had contracted in Canton"
! Shields made all of these remarks
in straightforward manner. He sale
he did not want to remain in Jail ovel
night and was willing to give any bono
that would release him.
Though Shields said he had came
here to pay his debts, which amounted
to 500 or $50 1t was found that he die
not have that amount with lin ir
either money or checks. He positively
, declared he did not recollect Of say
ing that he had embezzled $4,000.
Il was told about my alleged defal
cation in Pittsburg today, but merely
, took the words as a joke. In fact
, wired to a person at the McKinle.
hotel that | was coming on here. Ny
parents live in Pittsburg, and besides
will furnish you with all kinds O.
references from responsible business
men," and then Shields proceeded t
give to his questloners q long list o
people and the addresses of each
, When he discovered that he would b,
obliged to remain behind the bars fo
the night he said he would bring tn,
city into a lawsuit. He will be held b!
the police until word is received from
Pittsburg