Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-20
TRIED TO KILL HIMSELF
PHILADELPHIA MERCHANT CUTS
THROAT IN HOTEL.

NEW YORK, April 20.-Benedict Glmbel,
the wealthy Philadelphia merchant who
was arrested in this city yesterday on
the double charge of eXerting improper
influence over Ivor Clark, a sixteen year
old boy, and attempted bribery of the
county detectives who made the arrest,
lay last night in st. Mary's Hospital,
Hoboken, N. j., unconscious from wounds
believed to have been self-inflicted. 1t is
thought that his injuries will prove fatal,
though DIR. Farr of the hospital said he
would not die last night.
Bleeding from gashes on his throat and
severed arteries in both wrists, Gimbel
was found at o clock last night in a room
which had been engaged the night before
at the Palace Hotel. in Hoboken. He was
unconscious from loss of blood when he
was removed to the hospital. where an ex-
animation of his effects made certain his
identity.
Thursday night Gimbel was released from
the Tombs under 5000 bonds. Where he
then went was not known to his friends
yesterday. He was generally supposed to
have been at an uptown hotel. though IL
was reported that he had returned to his
home in Philadelphia.
Used Broken Water Pitcher.
1t now appears that Immediately follow
ing his release Gimbel crossed on a ferry
to Hoboken, and went to the Palace Hotel.
registering there as Wilson Hedge or
Trenton, N. ]. He was assigned to room
on the second floor, and half hour later
ordered luncheon, which was served in his
room. Among the dishes was glass
water pitcher. This was found broken
yesterday and it Is supposed that Gimbel
injuries were inflicted by the pieces.
Nothing was heard from Gimbel during
the night yesterday morning, and at )
o'clock yesterday afternoon chamber
maid went to his room. Gimbel was In
bed, and ordered the maid from the door,
saying he wished to sleep. The girl re-
turned to the room early yesterday even
ing and found that the door had been Sc
cured from the inside.
The lock was forced and Gimbel was
discovered stretched out on the floor and
bleeding freely from several wounds. He
was clad in trousers and undershirt. A
trail of blood from the bathroom to the
bed indicated that Gimbel had cut himself
while in the bath room and then thrown
himself on the bed, from which he later
arose to fall unconscious on the floor.
Physicians who attended Gimbel at the
hotel stopped the bleeding, and after his
removal to the hospital his wounds were
dressed.
No Gas in the Room.
GimbeIs identity was established from
papers found in his clothing. These in
clude a check made out in his name,
fre-l1ne pass signed by the director or
public safety of Philadelphia and COM
mutation ticket between New York and
Philadelphia.
Climbers effects were taken in charge by
the police, who also notified his family.
Members of the family are expected at
Hoboken today.
Further examination by the police de-
veloped that the cracks in the doors and
windows had been stuffed alright with
surgeons antiseptic gauZe. There was,
however, no gas, and the room was light
ed by electricity.
Gimbel was to have been given hearing
in court here today. His attorney,
Daniel O'Reilly has stated that Ginbel's
defense would be that blackmail was at
tempted.
A man who said that he was brother
of Gimbel. but who refused to say what
was his first name, was seen at St Mary's
Hospital last night. l have nothing to say
about this case said he, further than
what l said before-that this a case
of blackmail pure and simple. My brother
can easily be proved innocent"
IF that's the case, why did he try sui
cide?' was the query.
Il believe that the publicity of this case
has driven my brother temporarily insane.
l do not believe that he knew what he
was doing.