The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-21
B0OKKEEPER Is
STRANGELY CONE
Police Pefp|exed AT
Strange Absence OF
Frank Gerrish
Accountants Inspecting Books
Have Not Yet Discovered
Discrepancies

One of the most mysterious cases Of
sudden dieappearances which has re-
Gently perplexed the police came TO
light this morning when printed cards
sent to ali the police chiefs of sur
rounding cities asking that a special
search be made for Frank Gerrish, a
we'll known young man of Norwalk
and Bridgeport.
Although the case was not reported
to the local police department until
Feb 1s, eight days after he was last
seen in this city, such a complete in
vestigation has been made that Cap
tain Arnold today was willing to ex-
press the belief that in his opinion
when found Gerrish would undoubt-
edly be dead.
There are many elements of a sem
sational nature involved as Gerrish
was a bookkeeper in the wholesale
house of Sussman-Feuer Co., 47S Wa
ter street, where his accounts are now
being audited by expert accountants,
his wife secured a divorce from him
in the superior court. but two days be-
fore his leaving his work, and he is
known to have been nadly infatuated
with a pretty daughter of a MEM
ber of one of this city's leading bus
mess houses, the name of whom, how
ever the police today refuse to di-
vuIge
The young man, but 26 years of age,
over the average height, well-appear-
ing and modish, came to this city
some years ago. from NorwaIki where
he lived with his widowed mother,
Mrs George Gerrish, Ia Murray street.
He first resided at 695 Water St, later
removing to sos Broad street In
speaking of his past history today the
Junior member of the firm for which
he worked said:
He was always considered steady.
prompt and accurate. On Feb he
was divorced by his wife, which was
the first inttmation of martial diff
culties which came to our ears. At
noon of the following Monday, Feb.
10, ne appeared before me and said
that he wanted leave of absence for
the afternoon as he required to go to
Norwalk and sign some property
deeds. He volunteered to report at 5
o'clock that evening. We have not
seen him since. Our books are being
gone over by accountants but up to
the present moment no discrepancies
have been found
The police have ascertained that he
went directly to his rooms on Broad
street ana Ln0re Invested n1nSeIE OF
his working clothes, carefully laying
his fountain pen and other business
implements aside He did not take
any valise or other personal belong
ings- He has not been seen since
and it is reported he did not go to
Norwa1k- Other mystifying circurn-
stances are being traced by detectievS
engaged In the search.
1t Is known that a young girl, to
whom he has been showing more than
ordinary attentions, and whose name
for obvious reasons has been with
held, has been asked to throw light
upon his actions subsequent to the
granting of the divorce and preced-
Ing his sudden exit from the circle
Of his acquaintance Although the
theory that he became suddenly de-
mented has been advanced for police
not reconcile itself to such belief, if
Intimate given by the officers to-
day are credited
According to the published descrip-
tion Frank Gerrish is 26 years old, 6
feet tall, weights 157 pounds, light
complexion, good build smooth face
with the tip of the first finger on his
right missing. When last seen he
wore a black suit, black overcoat and
derby hat
Every public Institution in the state
has today been asked to report any
one answering his identity.
The divorced Mrs. Gerrish who is q
pretty girl, said she found in her hus-
bands pockets letters from another
woman Several detectives testified
that they followed Gerrieh and saw
him enter a local hotel with woman
not his wife.