The Washington herald., 1909-02-08

Suicide Reported in Connection
with Girl Who Tilted Him.
Supposed 10 have committed suicid
when JHted by a comeIy young woman
whom he loved. and long mourned a
dead BY relatives ard friends. Frank D
St. Clair arose from the land OF II,
missing yesterday. appeared at his hons
in Roanoke, Va. and was arrested almos
before he had time 70 kiss his happy par.
ents and sisters
The joyous homecoming was darkeneC
by the sudden appearance OF a detective
in quest Of prisoner, because the police
CT Washington want St clair 10 answer
10 a charge Of forgery.
Before St Clair had time TO explain
his long absence or tel Why he was
wanted BY the police. he was led away
70 station house and locked ID 10
await the coming or Detectives Weldon
and Burllngame. who left Washington
last night
Will Be Here To-day.
ST Clair Wiii ARRIVE II t.c capital to-
day in the custody Of the detectives.
Whether he VIII be able 10 satisfy the
police he IS not the forger wanted Is a
matter 10 be determined. and this ques-
ton is probably the subject Of earnest
debate in the little home in Roanoke.
St Clair came 10 Washington about
three months before he disappeared. he
obtained position as painter with a
well-knowR Washington firm. and en-
gagged room al 41 Eleventh street
northwest Because Of his genial man
ner he soon gained a circle Of friends.
among whom he was popular.
To these friends St. Clair told the story
q bis love for a pretty girl, a nurse in a
hospital IN Philadelphia. and expressed
the hope Of some dsy msEssg her his
wife r Z 1Emers, with WHOM s.
Clair roOmed, iced the painter re-
ceived dainty e velope from Phiadel-
phia every day. Tae envelopes we're all
addressed in the same feminine hand. ST
Clair was always happy and laughing
after reading one Of the sweeJ-scented
letters, but one day no letter was re-
ceived Al the house IN Eleventh Street.
St Clair grew desp0ndent and morose.
and when he did not receive a letter on
the second day he began taking long
walks about he city He sat I'd until
late at night. writing letters. and some
times he did not mail these, but destroyed
them and went 10 bed
About noon on Monday. October % St
Clair disappeared. He had not received a
letter from Philadelphia for more than a
week Summers thought his roommate
would return in a day or two The fol-
loving day a large manila paper envelope.
containing two photographs OF the miss
ing man. was found IN g closet in his
room by Summers
He ScribbIed a Note.
On the hack Of the envelope was serb
bied the following note:
Mac and Bob You VIII ind me below
the Highway Bridge. Get ny laundry
from the Chinaman in E street. and send
what I have 70 my home. Do not tell
where ] an, and oblise
"Good-by.
Summers notified the police, and a !
search was made for St. Clair. The day
following his disappearance the police Of 4
The harbor precinct dragged the Potomac I
River below the Highway Bridge for the 4
body Of the supposed suicide. but their
efforts were not rewarded. For nearly a I
week the police dragged in vain. and
finally hope Of recovering the body was
Meanwhile. detectives had been working
on the case. They say they learned Of a
forged check. alleged % have been signed
BY St Clair. and discovered he not oHIy
owed a board bill but was deeply in debt.
While the police continued their secret
search for St Clair. his friends in Wash
ington notified relatives living II sm
Campbell avenue. Roanoke, Va, that he
had committed suicide.
Weeks and weeks passed while rsIa-
tives watched for St Clair. and finally
they accepted the theory OF his suicide.
They were not told OF the forged
checks but some one informed them OF
he sweetheart in Philadelphia. and II
was she who vas blamed for the bows
reported death
story OF His Arrest.
Early yesterday morning. s.. Clair an
reared at his home. Before his parents
md other relatives had recovered from /
he surprise Of his return. the doorben
sounded. and a man said he wished
o see Frank St. Clair on important bust
iess. st. Clair separated himself from
he embraces Of those around him and
vent TO see the stranger. A few words
we're passed between them, and when st.
lair re-en1ered the house the smile had
eft his face. and he appeared worried.
Without stopping 10 say gOOd-by or Of
er explanation OF his strange action. St. /
lair left the house. and a few minutes
ater he was locked behind bars IN a ,
Roanoke station house. ,