The sun., 1897-05-23

Charitable Methods or B q. Clark, who
MeIped Mate Brnm to Oct n FaIr show.

CnaritnDto MetnOua OF IL. q. ozark, " no
Helped Mate Bran to Oct n Fair show.
Boston. May 22.-Public attention has been
directed to the practical philanthropy of Ben
jamin Cutler Clark by his connection with Mate
Bran, recently convicted in this city Of the hor-
ribe murders on board the Herbert w. Fuller
last July. A goody share of the cost of the
defence was borne by Mr.. Clark. The Govern
mcnt stood its full part. but the incidentals,
tho smaller items, which in themselves. amount
ed to q large sum. were chccrfuly borne by Mr.
Clark, in order, as he said to THE Sun cor
respondent " to give the man fair show for his
life, II there was any chance of proving him in
nocent."
The Bran incident is only ono OF many. Mr.
Clark's hobby for years liz indeed it may be
called a hobby has been to look after the inter
ests of prisoners who have no means with which
to employ counsel When such case is brought
TO his notice 1t is his inyariablc custom TO in
ycstigatc the circumstances of the arrest and
then to look up the former career of the prisoner.
II he decides that the prisoner ls worthy Of help
he at once employs counsel to look n tier the
at his expense. Every Sunday afternoon no
visits the jas and prisons OF tho city laden with
flowers, which he passes in to the unfortunatcs
sagos. The advice and counsel come later.
But flowers are not the only messages. With
them he often passes through the bars illu-
minated cards. generally with some old poems
| printed upon them, of the kind usually contain
| ing some reference to home and mother Tho
| keepers say that many hardened criminal has
| experienced his first rcmorsc for years after re-
OF sympathy and kindly offer of help. 1t is
probable that no man in the country has re-
GGeivcd 80 many confessions from prisoners as he:
! 1t is his habit to look over the daily papers and
+ note down the cases which he may think deserve
Investigation, II he finds any in need OF friend.
| no becomes that friend In n practical and sub
santial manner.
| When the men or women he knew behind tho
| them to get another start. Children especially
appeal 10 him, and many n waif brought into
lease and chance 20 secure employment to this
elderly Boston Angel OF the Courts"
tercsts him most is his work with those con
d dcmned to- to death such as Bran and thut Angus
street jail for the murder Of a lille DomhSster
girl the year before. II is probable that he will
HsH REV. "cthweS ~" ~ in hG r. Of
sommersworth, So n. H.; whose case comes mp al tho
Hospital, on which tho III Sick children Of of
Boston are taken DOWN tho bay 10 enjoy The salt
success and indeed It's inception. 10 MIR. Clark
last year the expense q the nrst trip WAS do
Mr. Clark was born in Boston, HIS great
Ernndfat@her; her Benjamin Man! CLARK. was ono Of tho
graduated from Harvard in tho notable class OF
! 1898 since graduation, Mr.. Clark has been
head Of the frm of H. e. Clark < Co. Since col is6.. iEs
| In later years he has been President and Treas.
~ nreE e OF the Pearson Cord9gc Comp'ny. now ono
| ls95s Mr., CLARK was selected by the publishers
OF THE Memorial Centennial OF One Hundred
Years OF American Commerce by One Hundred
Representative Americans - TO write the article
: on " The COrdngc Industry" lIchas been Consul
| for the republic OF Haytiat Boston since 1853,
hnd Is the oldest Consul In term Of office in this
| city. He l. trustee for large amount of prop.
| erty, President of the Massachusetts Fish and
| Game Protective Association, Secretary and
| Irasnrcr Of NE Massachusetts Agricultural
| Committee Of the Boston Art Club. one OF tho
officers Of th" Hohaasct Yacht Club. member
| or the M"rGhhnts' Club. the Now England Ills.
| OF New York. One of his sons is Elory Harding
clark, the famous Harvard ali-round athlete and
winner at tho Oiymptan games at Athens last
! year.