Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-23
CIMBEL IS DEAD.
Philadelphia Merchant Dies
at Hoboksn Hospital
After Cutting His Throat and
Wrist With Broken Glass.
Wife and Family Are at Bedside
When End Comes.

New YORK, April -2.-BenCdict Gimb2l,
the wealthy Philadelphia merchant who
cut his throat and wrist with broken
glass in hotel in Hoboken soon after
he had been arrested on serious charges
in this city, died IN St. Mary's hospital,
Hoboken, shortly before o'clock this
morning. His wife was at his bedside.
also his two brothers who came here
at once on receiving word Of his trouble,
one from Milwaukee and the other
from Philadelphia His personal physi-
cIan, summoned from Philadelphia was
also at his bedside
The arrest of Benedict Gimbel, a man
OF wealth, member of prominent and
prosperous firm, married and of hither-
To SIot!cSs reputation, caused great sur
prise Thursday afternoon. He was
taken from q cab in this city while in
company with Ivor Clark. a 16-year-old
boy. by two detectives who acted on the
complaint Of Clarll's parents Gimbel
according to the detectives, reSOrted to
an attempt ut bribery and offered the
detectives $4,000 if they would release
nan. The officers apparently consented
and, demanding cash. were driven with
Gimbcl to his bankers Office ana given
N''O '4''iNS' AiN NlaSAl iIllOIltet NIlIll DEL
that the additional charge of attempted
bribery would be placed against him
and took him to the district attorneys
office whore it was alleged Ginbcl who
kccnly felt his pre1icament. offered AS
niStant District Attorney krotel any
amount % money il lie could be given
his release.
Later Climbed WAS arr;iigncl in court
ana released on heavy bail. He started
0StcnSibly for his home in Philadelphia
but never reached there. Instead he
went to the Palace hotel in HObokcn
and there with jagged glass he obtain
cd from water pitcher which he broke.
Il" cut his throat in many places and
ga! he'd his left wrist. lie was discovered
several hours afterwards almost dead
from loss of blood.
At st. Mary'S hospital to which place
he was removed Friday night, it was
thought for a time that his life might
hc saved but Sunday he began sudden
ly to fail ana late last night hope was
abandoned.
GinhcTS wife and two brotncrs who
have shown confidence and devotion To
the husband ana brother, went to his
'N''i''' '''IN i I'itiN IiISsllt anu remained
near HIM ever since. In u statement the
family notified the public that Benedict
Gimbcl had been i'll for some weeks as
the result of nVCrW Ork and that this
mad undoubtedly dcthronCd his reason
Mr. Climbers evident desire to die
even after tn" arrival of the members
Of his family who vainIy did their best
I" encourage him to live and fight for
liberty operated greatly to the dis
advantage "f tn" doctors who were
striving - save his life. Mrs. Ginbcl
was almost constantly at his bedside
chdt aV"ring q overcome his desire to
be relieved Of his troubles in death.
Members of the family had strong
hopes that if Mr.. CHM bel recovered. the
charges against him could be overcome
by the plea of insanity and they had
engaged counsel to fight the case. They
had planned to send Mr.. Gimbel to an
asylum il they were successful in
court.
1t became evident before midnight
that Gimbcl could not live unless hcoric
treatment WAS attempted. He failed to
respond ~ oxygen treatment and
Charles Ginrhcl then suggested that as
q last resort His blood he infused into
the veins of his brother. While the ply
sicians couiI hold out little nope even
with this infusion of blood to strength
en- Tie patient. it was determined t.
try it as a last resort. However, it is;
said that GImbcl did not rcNivc sufi-
GENTLY after midnight tn test tnc cx-
pertinent. Early this morning he be-
came unconscious and expired
The body of Benedict Gimbcl. the
Philadelphia merchant. who died in st.
Mary's hospital, Iioboken, was taken
to Philadelphia this afternoon. The
coroner was called to the hospital. but
as the case was plain certificate Of
death. giving suicide as the cause. was
given and the body turned over to the
family.