The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-03

I stock. and soon became a power in the
rapidly growing concern.
| From the beginning the most friendly re-
%lations had existed between MIR. Clark and
Mr.. Singer, the inventor, but eventually they
disagreed regarding business policy. result
ing in a division OF the stock between them
and the formation of a company.
Harmonious relations We're restored. how
ever, business eXpandsd to enormous pro-
portions under Mr.. C!arE's wise manage
men;. and he finally became pres!d ut Of the
corporation.
Mr.. Singer soon began to amass wealth.
He gave his wife $40 a day for household ex-
p-nses. moved from Fourth avenue 20 No.
II Fifth avenue. kept six carriages and ten
horses and lived in luxury. Finally ne went
abroad. leaving Mr.. Clark at the head Of
the business. The Office was then AT Broad
way and Pearl street. Hzar the old city Hos
pital, with its big ems.
Took His Fee in Future.
Mr.. C1ark's foresight in taking stock for
his services in winning the suits against
the Howe company increased his interests
until they nearly equaied Mr.. Singers:
Among Mr.. Clark's sons was Alfred Cor
ming Clark. n thoughtful, studiOus young
man. pasionately fond of music, literature
and art. which in those days did not count
for much witt business men. His brothers
cared more for the world and went abroad
to see life and enjoy themselves, but they
In 1850 Edward Lorraine Clark died in
Rome of Roman fever. His distinguished
father died in the following year. and his
brother. Amhros5 died later, leaving Alfred
Corning Clark sole heir to n vast estate
which. through the Singer stock and wise
Investments in real estate on the upper
West side, increased 10 millions.
GIr. Singer had also died at Torquay, Eng
land, leaving the Ciark= masters of the
business. Alfred Corning Clark was a most
loVable young man Of manners and uub-e
courtesy. His thought being on books and
art. and finding himself at toe head of a
colossal enterprise, he locked around for 1
manager.
Rise of n Library Clerk.
Strange as it may seem, mis- fancy fell on
2 clerk in the Mercantile Library. whom ne
had known at the library in his literary le-
searches.
Thus it was that Mr.. Frederick Gilbert
Bourne, Il clerk in the library, receiving. It
Is said. less than 5000 d year, was engaged
by Mr.. Clark as his confidential agent. A.
though devoted 10 intellectual pursuits,
Young Clark had the sagacirv OF his IA
Their. and, as a stepping stone TO higher
things. offered the library clerk 4 salary to
look after the estate. Mr.. Bourne accepted
and esta blished the office at No. - West
Twenty-third street. near the Fifth Ave
nue. Hotel, where IT has remained 10 this
Mr.. Clark had been greatly impressed
with the young mans industry ami lnfail-
ing courtesy at the library. He roted that
he attended strictly to business. Mr.. Clark
vas a close student OF men. as well as of
books, and from the first he had taken u
strong liking to the Young man.
His dgTne was yindicated, Mr.. Bourne
soon disDIeyed extraordinary canncitv for
business. His financial management was a
success. and under his advice Mr.. Clark's.:
real estate transactions proved Immensely
profitable. But the young man was equally
valuable as IN adviser in the management
of the sewing machine business. and was
finally made president. to succeed Mr..
Clark.
That gentleman. now relieved from bust |
ness cares, with millions at his !
again found himself q free man. with lei
sure FOR music and books. Music was his