The sun., 1896-01-26
HELEN KELLER'S FRIEND.
TIE JATB JOHN p. sPAUJDING
AND HIS GENEROUS PURSE.

Eauostiou or Miss Keller, the WELL
Known Deaf Dunb. and Blind Girl
His Many Gins-Onc to Hotel Servants
Brought Notoriety a.d Annoyance.
BOSTON. Jan. 25.-John P. Spauldina, tho
sugar King" was little over 90 years old
when he died one week ago. He was born in
Madison, well up the Kennebcc toward Carri-
tunk Falls. in Maine. where the old villagers Of
bis day remember with pleasure his gentle
ways. He loved the birds, the trees, the flow
ers, and everything endowed with life, 30 when
he left the village in 1865 to seek his fortune
In Chicopee In this State. the good wishes OF the
country folk went with him. Two years later
found him in Boston. where he soon worked
himself into a partnership with tho firm he en-
gagged with, and in 1867, whom that firm took
hold Of sugar. he began laying the foundations
OF his fortune.
People who could not understand Mr.. Spauld-
ing said he was eccentric to degree bordering
on crankiness, hut these people were mistaken.
For nearly forty years he made the United
States Hotel his home, and none. save perhaps
Helen Keller. will miss him moro than tho
scores OF employees in that big establishment.
To make others happy was q source Of bound
less enjoyment to himself. He used to saw that
1t lid him almost as much good as a well-cooked
dinner when hungry to see the dance Of happi-
ness in anothers eyes. and when the season Of
Christmas came around no was sure to prepare
q surprise for nearly all with whom he came In
contact. One OF his holiday diversions WAS to
fill his pockets with SIS gold pieces until his
trousers sagged. and then go around distrb-
utng them among the employees of the hotel
who had done him kindnesses.
In his own way Mr.. Spauldtng had amused
himself in glftgiving for years without attract
ing any especial attention. He added all tho
time to the charity callers at his office. corner
Broad and Central streets. for he was heralded
everywhere as good thing" But this did
not disturb him In the least, and he might have
gone on until his death without notoriety were
1t not for an accident which gave to the news
papers information OF his 1898 Christmas gifts
OF Sugar stock to eight servants at the United
States Hotel. At that time he gave to each of
the eight girls certificate IN the Revere Sugar
Refinery valued at $4,000 par, although the
market price WIS considerably less. Several
other servants also received stock at the Same
time. This stock was placed in envelope
and given to the housekeeper for distribution.
When she learned OF the contents she was over
come with fright thinking Mr.. Spaulding had
made q mistake, gathered in the whole lot, and
hastencd to his room with it.
do you know. Mr.. Spaulding," she said in
great agitation, that this envelope contains
Sugar stocki"
II do" he replied smlingly. land also know
that tomorrow will be Christmas
'Then 1t is not q mistake" said tho house
keeper.
NO. indeed" snid Mr.. spaulding; mo mis-
take. assure you. Kindly distribute the con-
tents and let me know what the girls say"
It came out that he had given AWAY about
500. 900 of sugar stock at that time. The
wants; who found themselves comparatively
ing TOO good to keep. was soon public, The day
when Mr.. Spaulding read Of his philanthropy
in the morning papers his indignation was high;
hut the publication was as nothing compared
with later developments. Some Of Boston's
queer heather -harping women read of the
rushed h Tor r' the hotel. They waited upon
the proprietor; Mr., Tilly Haynes. to see If
of the g bv the servans 70 rhs
made Mr.. Spauldins feel like the farmer who,
after alter e'artirs cart load Of potatoes to the top Of
prop proprietor Of the hotel that gifts Of such na: ma
recognized charity channels. forgetting, that
A. spsut!ns,s yS SIT was - m act ol t:ie;iHsh:n:
sy ds lot of
crazy and II should think those girls would
have known better than to accept" for three
that any one In his hotel deserving OF charity
would be taken care of If report were made to
leave they limited that such gifts coming di-
rcctly from Mr.. Spaulding might have u do
Wsua so ney hons he that
a deep sigh OF relief when. after telling them
that the girls in his employ were capable OF
handling their own money. they withdrew.
Probably no one man knew more about Mr..
spaulding's charities than Tilly Haynes; He
other states. The worthy poor helped
in all kinds Of ways. and money was freely and
Of a1 sus
to afford substantial relief Those who had
small sums to invest received valuable advice.
story concerning the gifts Of sto;k brought to
as he said. the manifold unnoyances Through
It he heard of the needs of the widow OF n
He or he to
the Pittsleld Old women's Home. and. finally.
Ss e1r a s, Will H, bought . s Ss ss
1t was Mr.. spauldng who made the famous
dependent. and hers was the most touching
friendship Of Mr. spauldinE,s life. Five years
friends Who was PLAYING at " local % theatre Ea re and
staying at the United States Hotel By chance
Mr.; Smulding was invited to meet the guest.
and from that day his interest in Miss Keller
dated The unfortunate girl required the con
slant attendance Of a teacher. ard This. with
her home in northern Alabama. made burden
that had It not been for Mr.. Spauldngs kind
terest did he take in Miss Keller that it was
not long before he began to, call on her ut the
Perkins Institute, and finally blocks OF Sugar
stock found their way into her hands Miss
sullivan. her teacher. was also remembered in
like manner. His pity for the condition of
E Had % she N been HI his own ckkild his heart could
not have gone ont stronger to her. One of his
favorite drive was to the home OF the President
OF the Manchester Mills. who has a most beau
tiful garden. One OF Mr. Spaulding's most
cherished treasures was letter written by
her. which shows her wonderful acc ompish-
ments. and made her bcnefactor feel proud of
the work he had helped to do.
Mr.. Spaulding never married. He had two
brothers. the late Mahlon u. Spauldng II this
city and Justin Spaulding of Chicopec. Before
Mahlon ID. died Mr.. .Spaul,linG bought tho house
ut % Beaco street and gave it to his wife. He
also presented II pretty place in Chicopcc to his
other brother, and would have done more. but
his generous tenders were not accepted. His
peculiaritles were displayed in the gift Of ,he
Beacon street house. He invited his brother
and wife to look over the house. giving no IN
tlmation OF his purpose. and after they had ex-
pressed their admiration OF 1t he said quietly,
1T is yours"
At the time of the big Chicago fire. when a
telegram came from business man In that
city saying he had lost everything. Mr.. Spauld-
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