DEATH BEFORE DISGRACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2439, 2 March 1909, Page 3

DEATH BEFORE DISGRACE.

SUICIDE IN PRESENCE OF DETECTIVES. A dramatic scene took place in the shop of Mr S. Y. Philips, jeweller and silver-smith, 113, New Bondstreet, London, when a trusted assistant, Arthur Hunt,' fatally shot himself in the presence of detective officers, who were about to arrest liim on a charge of fraudulent falsification of accounts. Earlier in the day a warrant for Hunt’s arrest had been granted at Marlborough-street Police Court. About three o’clock Detective-Insp.ector. Fowler and another officer went to the shop and read the warrant to Hunt. /Hunt, who seemed -quite collected, was asked if lie had any keys which belonged to his employer. Pointing to an overcoat on the. wall, he replied : “You will find something in that.” As the officers turned towards the coat Hunt whipped out a six-chambered revolver and shot himself through the heart. Death was instantaneous. The dead man, who was 30 years of age land unmarried, had been in the employ of the firm for 18 years. He ivas regarded as absolutely reliable, and had recently been promoted to the position of stock-keeper.