The sun., 1898-11-16
Bayard Clarkson, Once Wealthy,
Now a Pab'ic Charge in
Bridgeport, Conn.
COUSIN OF LATE AMBASSADOR
~ Aunt Has Left Him Another
FOrtune-..Lcvi G. Bird, Of This
City, Does Not Know of
& CIarksOn's Relations to
the Bayards.
"Bayard Pauper and Heir"


BRrpGEpoRr, Conn, Nov. 15.-Bayard
Clarkson, mildly insane and an inmate
Of the almshouse, is to-day an heir to
500, 900 by the the death Of an aunt,
Eliza johnson. He is cousin OF the
late Ambassador Bayard. His family
once owned big part OF New York;
Bayard and Carkson streets we're named
after his people. He has squandered
half a million.
The above telegram, received last night,
tells it's own story.
Bayard Clarkson, once wealthy, now a
public charge IN Bridgeport, Conn, ex-
pects another fortune OF $lOO, 600.
The telegram was received in the city
last night by way OF interrogation and
inquiry OF members OF the family OF late
Ambassador Bayard was Immediately
made. Thomas +. Bayard, Jr., Is IN
New York. William 5. Hilles, who re-
Gently married Miss Florence Bayard, is
at their home, Bears Station.
The only member OF the Bayard fam
lily who could be found last night was
Levi G. Bird, whose wife was sister OF
the late Ambassador.
s Mr.. Bird said he knew Of Bayard
Clarkson, having heard Of his presence
in the Bridgeport, Conn.,, almshouse and
his claim OF connection with the Bayard
family, through the New York Herald.
Mr.. Bird stated that he believed the
relationship of Bayara Clarkson to the
late Mr.. Bayard to be the result of some
7 brilliant newspapers mans brain. He
was not aware of Bayard Clarkson's
relation to the Bayard family and Mr..
Bird further stated that he believed he
knew all of the Bavards and their kins-
men.
Further search last night in this city
i. ard dsAy4 49ieph6ne and telegraph to Wash
,ngtorl and New York disclosed the fact
that Bayard Clarkson is supposed to be
correct in his statement that he is rela-
tive Of the late Ambassador.
Clarkson is 6S years old. Reckless
living brought him to his present condi-
tion OF pauperism.
Ten years ago he was wealthy, with a
fortune variOusly estimated at from
5000, 600 to 100000. He lived extrava.
gantly, ard when he went to Bridgeport,
six years ago, he was known as q
Sporty" old gentleman, with plenty ol
leisure and money.
Bayard Clarkson went to Bridgeport,
Conn. from Washington. During Thomas
+. Bayards secretaryship Clarkson, on
several occasions, created comment in
the National Capital by his lavish ex'
penditure of money. Thomas F,
Bayard was also moderate liver.
Clarkson married Eliza De Peyster, OF
the old and honored Dutch family ol
that name, who settled in New York at
the time of Peter Stuyyesant. He was
Bayard and Clarkson streets in New
York city derive their names from the
families of which he is a descendant
For several years he lived in grand style
in Bridgeport until year ago, when his
!, money run out.
q, Then the Board of Charities sent him
to the town farm, where he has appeared
to be well satisfied to spend his declin
ing days. The authorities at the farm
learned recently of the fortune that had
fallen to him. Eliza johnson, Of Boston,
maiden aunt, died, leaving about $500,
200, and Clarkson is one of the heirs to
the estate, which is still unsettled.
4 That is all the definite information that
the aged pauper is able to give. Hi
! believes he is entitled to the money, but
his mind scarcely grasps the situation
He says that New York lawyer nance
Angel was looking after his interests
and he expects to learn from him wher
the estate is settled so he can get hi
share.
He does not know the address OF hi
aunt, except that it is in fremont street
Boston. Clarkson referred to his formel
days, saying that his fortune Of $500, OO
N or more, left him by his father, wal
X taken from him by those who took ad
n vantage of him. He had not heard iron
n his former wife in many years, but tht
! last he knew she lived in Fourteenth
street, New York.
4. This is the situation in which a rela
tive Of the late Ambassador to Great
Britain is to-day. Weak-minded anc
scarcely able to realize that there is an
other fortune within his grasp, Bayaro
Clarkson is living contentedly in tn
Bridgeport poorhouse, while the authorl
ties are trying to obtain 100000 fol
him, to which he is the rightful heir.
A Great Convenience.
THE SUN building, No. 1O3 Eas