The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-01
ARRESTED, HECUTHIS THROAT
BOOKKEEPER CLARK HAD BEEN
A SYSTEMATIC FORGER.
Detective Who Took Him While in He'd
Allowed Him to Escape for Moment
Died In His Wlfe's Arms--Got Away
With ~ 900 OF Lumber Firms Funds.

Detective Who Took Him While in He'd
Allowed Him to Escape for Moment
Died I'm His Wlfe's Arms--Got Away
With ~ 900 OF Lumber Firms Funds.
Benjamin NJ. Clark, a bookkeeper accused
of systematic forgery. escaped moment
yesterday morning from the detective who
had Just arrested him and cut his throat.
He died in the arms OF his wife, to whom
his suicide brought the first news that he
was in trouble.
Clark was for seven years head book
keeper for Frederick T. Nesbit and the u. NJ.
Nesbit Company lumber merchants, Of 11e
Nassau street. He was an efficient man,
received good salary and rendered, APP
pa emily, faithful service. He was do
mestio in his habits and devoted to
his young wife. In the last year or two
he grew little Incorporate. not enough
to endanger his job, but enough to make
Frederick Nesbt watch him.
Almost by accident, Mr.. bit found one
day some suspicious entries In Clark's ao-
counts. He began quiet investigation,
and proved to his own satisfaction that
Clark had been holding out small checks,
forging the firms endorsement and cashing
them. He had covered it up by juggling
the books.
Nesbit had private talk with his head
bookkeeper Clark made a partial con-
fession and was discharged on the spot.
That was six weeks ago.
Clark went back to his home in Brooklyn
and began to look for work. His wife saw
that he was worried, but she thought that
it was because he was out of work She
never had the slightest suspicion of any
thing else until the climax yesterday.
The Nesbits were going over their books.
They found that Clark had been stealing
for six years and that the total ran up to
almost 81, COO. After talking it over with
the firm, Mr.. Nesbit decided to have Clark
arrested On May 90 he went before the
District Attorney and swore to a complaint.
Detective Bernard Flood of District At
torney Jerome's staff was sent to make the
arrest. Clark lived in a pretty little apart
ment at 17o Prospect Park West. Mrs.
Clark let Flood in. Mr.. Clark was not up.
she said. Would the gentleman wait?
Flood, having been warned that his man
might try to run away, pushed past her
into the bedroom. He awoke Clark and
pla ced him under arrest.
The prisoner was cool.
IAN right" he said Let me go to the
bathroom He went out into the hall
and called to his wife.
I'm going out with this gentleman, dear.
Never mind about breakfast He added
to the detective:
Please don't tell my wife
Clark walked ahead of Flood to the bath
room. With a quick motion, he darted
in and latched the door behind him. The
movement made Flood suspicious.
Here. Unlock that" he yelled. No
answer. He threw himself against the
door. The lock held. As he stepped back
for another rush Flood heard a body fall
in the bathroom. The detective struck
full force. the door gave way.
Clark lay on the floor. razor in his
hand, his throat cut from ear to ear. He
had finished himself in one slash.
Mrs. Clark heard the noise and ran in