The sun., 1898-11-20
lAUP[RHE|R 70 4 EOllQlE
Bsyard Clarksen, geusin ef late
Ambassador Bayard Tells
Il the Story of'His Lite.
FEARS CONFInENClAL LAWYER
THIS Aristocratic Public Charge Who
Married Miss De Peyster of New
York, Awaits in Bridgeport.
Conn.,, Fortune afslOo.ooo.
His Daily Life.

tOcfatlc pauper ever suppoFVeu ny ID i'use-
port.
His name is Bayard GARRISON, aud at
one time he was possessed OF consider
able wealth, ia round numbers, half a
million dollars. Since last May he has
been public charge upon the town.
It has been reported that he is in re-
ceipt Of letters informing him that his
maiden aunt, Miss Eliza johnson, has
died in Boston, leaving fortune amount
ing to about $500, 900. Ofthis one third
will come to Clarkson. The authorities
sincerely hope the report is true, as they
will then have done with the old man.
A correspondent of The Sun visited
the almshouse and obtained an interview
with Clarkson. He is tall man, slightly
stopped with age, but with senses ap-
parently as good as ever. The color Of
his hair has changed from auburn to
gray, which only heightens his distin-
guished appearance. 1t is plainly evil
dent to the most careless observer that
at one time the man had been accustomed
to life of luxury. His hands are small,
and we'll kept, while the size OF his feet
is remarkably small considering that he
is nearly six feet tall.
His features are refined. but show dis
tinctly the marks Of dissipation, which
lost him his wife, and caused his wealth
to melt from his grasp. Carkson was
attired in the usual garb Of the inmates
of the almshouse, which consists Of gray
suits of good material, woolen shirt
and cotton Vie. He was somewhat
loath to talk upon the subject Of his life
but was finally induced to givea sketch
of by-gone days, and also OF the fortune
which soon will be his. ~
TO start he requested that the infOrma-
tion obtained would not be given to
lawyers, stating that it was they who Sc
cured the biggest share OF the half mil
lion which was once his. In continuance
he said:
"My name is Bayard Carkson and
though you may discredit what say, l
am cousin of the late Thomas I. Bay
ard, who was the late Ambassador OF
America to the Court OF St. James. am
descended on my fathers side from the
Clarkson family in whose honor Clark
son street New York was named
II am "A years OF age and have passed
from a rich man to papper. 1t is gall
ing in the extreme to me to have to be
supported by the town, but in a few
months / shall again be Independent,
and will then repay those who have
been kind to me.
"What brought me down." yon ask.
"Wcll, principally drink and a fast life.
| was once young, and like all young
men imagined that was only the more
| nf
the young bloods.
"Ies, | was married once, but only
for short time. My wife was lovely
creature, a Miss DePeyster of New York.
That was thirty years ago. but | can re-
member yet as We stood at the altar how
she looked at me with tear dimmed eyes
and smiled. But, alas, it did not last
long; in month we were separated.
Her relatives strove in vain to have her
return to me but she would not and
; since then ] have not heard from her
except occasionally through some friend,
or chance acquaintance of mine. She
obtained divorce soon after our mar
riage, and | went my way and she went
hers.
cat one time was possessed OF con-
J siderable property, but to satisfy my
love Ola life which was killing me !
sold a piece Of land in Flatbush, L. l.; a
! New York lot went the same way, and
!, finally my whole property and money
! had vanished, and | was left in this city
penniless.
"a few days ago received letter
from my sister, who lives in New Jersey.
She wrote to tell me that my maiden
aunt, Miss Eliza johnson, of fremont
street, Boston, was dead, and had left
. me one-third of her estate, amounting to
about Sl0OO0n She etHtoa t',nt the
estate would be settled BY New Years
and then ! would get my share of it..
Pm going to see about it some day All
fear is that the lawyers will get most
Of it, as they did the other money ! told
you abont. You may tell this if you
wish, but don't take any lawyers into
your confidence.
81 am getting old, and if that money
comes to Inc as | expect, | shall have
enough to keep me, as think the past
is a good lesson, that buying jewelry for
women does not always pay.
"Thcy treat me as good as the other
paupers, (Oh, how hate the word), but
, 1t Is not life as am used to it,
Seven years ago Carkson came to this
city and put up at the Wilson House.
He was tall and distinguished looking,
wore clothes of latest pattern, and bore
all evidence Of being Il man of refinement
/, and wealth. While he was fairly rpg,l.
lar in his habits he was very fond OF
women, and was known to buy cheap
jewelry at fabulous prices from smooth.
: talking young men, to present to his
friends of this description. He never
drank TO excess. but was moderate
drinker.
Gradually his condition became poorc.
and poorer until about six months aga
when he was called upon to pay good.
sized bill for board. He then informed
the hotel keeper that he was pennies
: and that he could not pay the bill.
! After ascertaining that this was indeed IL
fact he was told that the hotel was not
,, run for pleasure and that he would have
to seek a habitation elsewhere. Afte,
leading the life of beggar for a few
days he applied to the authorities fpl
help and was sent to the town poorhouS,
where he has since been.
Ciarkson is apparently contented, an
does some light work which is assignee,