The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-10
STRANGE STORY
OF GREAT WEALTH
History That Followed the
inventions of Singer.
HIS LAWYERS FAMILY
And How Its Riches are Rated
at the Present Day.
HIS LAWYERS FAMILY

ing Clark TO Bishop Henry Goldman Pot
ter. head Of the Episcopal diocese of New
York. recalls the romance Of the Clark
millions and the strange tale Of TWO not
ed American inventors. Of this interest
ing story the Herald said last Sunday:
It is the story of a little steel shuttle
that genius set flying under the yankee
sewing machines among the worlds last
wonders. It's work was magic. Poverty
vanished. The Song of the Shirt be-
came an overture to happiness and
wealth, all because of Isaac Singers in
vention for stitching anything from lace
TO leather.
To begin at the beginning-with the
story Of Edward Clark, the founder Of the
Clark millions and the father Of Albert
Corning Clark, Mrs. Clark late husband.
He was a prominent young attorney in
Hudson, near Poughkeepsie and had the
good fortune to marry the daughter Of
Ambrose /. Jordon a distinguished law
yer Of the place. Having ideas beyond
the limitations Of q Hudson river village,
young Clark came TO New York to prac-
tice law He took up his residence in
East Fourteenth street. near Second ave
nue., then fashionable part of the city
Among his neighbors were Rufus
Choate, Hamilton Fish. Mr.. Gunther, who
became mayor. ard many other distin-
guished New Workers Of that period, ia
nous for great events-the completion of
the Croton aqueduct. street cars TO Cen
trsi park, the Crystal Palace and peace
following the Mexican war.
Mr.. Clark displayed ability as lawyer
and won important cases. Among his eli
ents was a struggling young machinist
one Isaac N. Singer. in litigation with
Elias Howe. Jr.. the sewing machine in
ventor, particularly OF the needle with its
eye at the point
Mr. Singer, born in Oswego, y. Y, with
g taste for machinery, had ventured as
far west as what was then called the vii
lage Of Chicago. There he invented a
patent drill and a machine to carve type.
He was poor. and life was struggle.
Hearing of Elias Howes sewing machine
he came east. saw him and suggested i'm
provements. The result was the inven-
ton of a Singer single-thread lock-stitch
machine; next the double shuttle, the
Singer stitch. and sort Of working ALI
ance with Howe, and later litigation.
The Howe company sued Singer, alleg-
ing infringements on their patent, and
Mr. Clark. a young lawyer. was retained
70 defend the suit. He was not only sue
cessful, but made important business sug-
gestions. He was so impressed with Mr..
Singers ability and the prospective value
of his invention. and particularly with his
business sagacity. that he advanced him
money to build a factory in New York,
and then became his partner in business.
That was the beginning of fortunes.
Nr. Clark soon overshadowed Mr.. Sing
er's financial hacker, who retired, but
heavy litigation continued.
AS the Howe company grew in wealth
their suits against Mr.. Singer multiplied.
Mr. Clark defending them. Instead Of
receiving cash for his legal services he
took stock. and soon became a power in
the rapidly growing concern.
From the beginning the most friendly
relations had existed between Mr. Clark
and Mr.. Singer the inventor, but evident
ually they disagreed regarding business
policy. resulting in a division Of the stock
between them and the formation Of a
company.
However business expanded to enor-
nous proportions under Mr.. Clark's wise
management. and he finally became pres
ident of the corporation.
Mr.. Singer soon began 10 amass wealth.
He gave his wife SO a day for household
expenses moved from Fourth avenue to
IA Fifth avenue. kept six carriages and
ten horses and lived in luxury. Finally
ne went abroad. leaving Mr.. Clara at the
head of the business. The Office was then
at Broadway and Pearl street. near the
old city hospital with its big elms.
Mr. Clark foresight in taking stock for
his services III winning the suits against
the Howe company increased his interests
until they had nearly equaled MIR. Sing
ers.
among Mr. Clarks sons was Alfred
Corning Clark a thoughtful studious
young man passlonateiy fond Of music.
literature and art. which IN those days
did not count for much with bushes
men. His brothers cared more for the
world and went abroad 10 see life and
enjoy themselves. but they soon died.
Ia 1850 Edward Lorraine Clark died in
Rome OF Roman fever. His distinguished
father died the following year and his
brother Ambrose died later. leaving Al
fred Corning Clark sole heir 10 a vast es-
tate which through the Singer stock and
wise investments in real estate on the
upper west side increased 20 millions.
MI Singer had also died at Torquay,
England. leaving the Clarks masters 81
the business Alfred Corning Clark was
a most lovable young man OF manners
and noble courtesy. His thoughts being
on books ana art. ard finding himself at
the head OF a colossal enterprise he look
ed around Tor q manager.
Strange IS it may seem his fancy feli
on a clerk in the Mercantile library.
whom he had known at the library in his
literary researches.
Thus it was that Frederick Gilbert
Bourne 2 clerk In The library. receiving.
II is said. less than $1,000 a year. was en-
gage6 b. Mr. Clark as his confidential
agent. Although devoted 10 Intellectual
pursuits Mr. clark had the sagacity of
his father. and as a stepping stone 70
higher things. offered the library clerk a
salary 10 look after the estate Mr.
Bourne accepted and established the Office
at . West Twenty-third street near the
Firth Avenue hotel. where il has remain
ed to this day
Mr.. Clark had been greatly impressed
with the voung mans industry and nm
failing courtesy AZ the library He noted
that he attended strictly 10 business. Mr.