The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-01-03
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
Fred L. Clark Shoots His Wife and Then
Commits Suicide.


Fred L. Clark Shoots His Wife and Then
Commits Suicide.
Last Thursday it was reported by tele-
phone from Boston that Fred L. Clark had
shot his wife and shot and killed himself
Both parties were well known here, the
wife having been at one time a resident of
this city and Clark, who is son of Mr.. and
Mrs. HartshOrn Clark, q recent resident of
Waldo. His mother and sisters live in this
city. He had no regular employment, but
had followed the county fairs, selling pop
corn, peanuts, etc. Mrs. Clark was the
daughter of Mrs. Lena Gerry, formerly of
Lewiston, but was the adopted daughter of
the late Levant and Mrs. Lucretia Barlow
of Waldo. Previous to her marriage to
Clark three years ago she was married to a
man named Whitcomb and they lived on
Union street, Belfast, for several years, and
had one child, a son. now about eight years
old. Jealousy of Clark led Whtcomb to
secure divorce and he left the city for the
west. After the death of Mr.. Barlow, some
four months ago, the Clarks lived on the
farm in Waldo with Mrs. Barlow, and when
the fairs were over went to Roxbury, Mass
A week or two ago Clark returned to Bel
fast leaving his wife in Roxbury, and dur
ing his stay here told his mother that he
had received letter from Roxhury to the
effect that his wife was living with another
man. He left for Boston Dec. oath telling
his mother that he would return Wednesday
and "bring his wife's corpse with him."
Thursday, the day of the tragedy, she re-
ceived letter from the son saying they
were getting along all right When told of
the tragedy she declared: "That woman
drove my son to shoot her. My poor unfor-
tunate boy was certainly driven to do what
he did do by that woman. He has stood so
much from her, but he shouldn't have
thrown away his life for her.
The reports of the shooting in the Boston
papers while somewhat conflicting agree in
the main. The shooting took place at 10 Gen.
tire street, Roxbury, at 1.30 a. m., Thursday.
The Clarks had attended the theatre We'd
nesday evening and on their return to the
house are said to have quarreled over the
question of returning to Maine. The Boston
Journal says: "Upon her repeated refusals
he went after his revolver, saying he 'might
as we'll end it ALL In the struggle the
woman attacked him with her hands and
knocked his weapon upward, thus undoubt-
edly saving her life." The Globe says: "The
shooting was the elimination of we'll
developed plan of murder and suicide ;
and that Mrs. Clark stated that her hus-
band had become violently insane upon her
refusal to go back to Maine; he rushed cut
of the room and secured a revolver from his
trousers pocket. She begged him not to
harm her, but he was wild with rage, and,
grabbing her by the head, he threw her
against a trunk. When she fell to the floor
exhausted he fired shot at her head. Be-
lieving that he had killed her he turned the
revolver on himself and on the second shot
fell across his wifes body and expired al
most Immediately.
"Clark was anxious to leave Boston, as he
feared arrest for moving out of the State
and taking some instalment- bought goods
with him."
The bullet entered Mrs. Clark head neal
the left ear She was taken to the City Hos
pital and placed on the dangerous list, but
it is thought she will recover.
(Lewston Daily Sun, Dec 29th.)
Mrs. Bertha L. Clark, who was shot by
her husband, Fred L. Clark, at the home OF
her mother, Mrs. Lena Gerry, in Roxbury
Mass, Thursday last, has an aunt, Mrs.
E. T. Mason, who resides in Lewiston
Mrs. Mason says Mrs. Clark was an idea
young woman upon whom her shlftless hus'
band depended for support.
CARED FOR SISTER DURING ILLNESS.
Mrs. Mason, who is we'll known in this
city, was called to Gloucester, Mass, last
January to care for her sister, Mrs. Gerry,
who at that time suffered severe shock
For several weeks Mrs. Mason remained il
constant attendance upon her sister, anG
until the latter improved sufficiently fol
, Mrs Mason to return to her home here
Naturally, while with her sister, Mrs: Ma
| son learned much about the married life OF
her niece, Mrs. Clark.
After having divorced her first husband
Mr.. WhitcOmb, who proved unworthy Of
her, Mrs. Nason's niece married Fred L
Clark of Waldo, Ne. For time they lived
in a home provided by him in Waldo, but
he became shiftless, drank heavily and de
pended upon his wife for support. This
tended to make life unpleasant for Mrs
| Clark, who frequently talked with hel
mother about her unhappy married life
| However, she remained faithful to her du
| ties. Finally MIR. and Mrs. CLARK moved tt
Somerville, Mass, but later went to the
home of his parents in Belfast. From here
Mrs. Clark went to Roxbury, where hel
mother and step father recently movec
| four weeks ago for visit.
| HUSBAND FOLLOWED.
| A few days ago Clark followed his wife
| to RoXbury and was guest at her mothers
home, which is not a boarding house, az
some of the Boston papers have stated. bu
| a fine residence on one of the best streets il
i ROxbury. Mr.. Gerry is proprietor of {
| fancy grocery store in that city, and is sale
! to be very well-tO-do.
| Clark tried to persuade his wife to return
tC Belfast with him, promising to do bettel
| in the future His wife declined to accep
his story of reformation and told him HI
must first prove his good intentions by cor
recting his habits and securing work fol-
himself and provide a suitable home fol
her.
Wednesday evening Mr.. and Mrs. Clarl
went to the theatre together and at a late
hour returned to Mrs. Clark'S mother
home. Clark is said to have taken few
drinks on MS way home from the theatre
despite the pleadings of his wife to sta!
| away from the saloons. At Mrs. Gerry!
| home they quarreled. The shooting fol
lowed, in which Mrs. Clark was probably
fatally wounded and Clark ended his life.
MRS. CLARK IDEAL WOMAN.
Mrs. Mason says that Mrs. Clark was al
ideal woman, who never touched liquor il
any form. "She has been grossly miSrepre