The sun., 1905-12-17
MODEST STEPHEN SALISBURY.
HIS SHYNESS, GENEROSITY AND
LOVE AFFAIRS.
Traits OF the Man Who Left $4,000 600
to the Art Museum OF Worcester, Mass.
A Confirmed Bachelor After Betng
Twice Prevented From Marrying.


Stephen Salisbury, who died recently
and left 5000 900 to the art musoum OF
Worcester, Mass, was one OF the most
retiring and unassuming OF mon. He was
never more uncomf ortable than when being
praised or thanked u
Modesty about himself his possessions
and his benevolences was fad with him;
indeed, it may be said to have amounted
almost to an afrectotion, although certainly
the only one he had A short time before
his death half dozen persons were talking
in his presence Of Worcester charity and
one of them happened to remark that he
understood that Mr.. Salsbury's contribu-
tion was S. 900 Lyman Ely, Mr.. Salisbury's
confidential agent and friend, who knew
the facts and also Mr.. Salsbury's repug-
nance to having them made public, over
heard the remark and fastened to his chiefs
assistance.
sIf the check could be seen, $500 would
be nearer the correct figure, he said.
Mr.. Salisbury had been an embarrassed
listener After pause, he said with the
slow drawl that was one Of his most pro-
nounced characteristics;
"My impression is that the check was
nearer $50 than any other sum-
Mr.. Salisbury S forehears we're Unitarians
He himself was a pillar of the old First
Unitarian Church. When in Worcester he
always attended church on Sunday.
This ancient parish still maintains the
custom of selling its pews outright to
parishioners. Mr.. Salisbury owned
dozen or more Of the undesirable ones and
paid the annual taxes on them, unless some
one turned up who wanted to rent them.
For years he annually presented five
persons in the church with life member
ships in the American Unitarian Asso-
citation, and he attended the church picnics
and the church May breakfasts and theatre
calls with the utmost oonscientiousness,
1t has been said. and probably with truth,
that no one ever applied to Mr.. Salisbury
for help without receiving it, generally
In measure far exceeding the original de-
mand. The owner of much real estate, he
would lower the rents Of his apartments
for no other reason than that his tenants
had been with him a long time
When the late Jonas Clark of W Worcester
made his will he tied his money up in such
a way that Clark University could not get
a cent Of it till the institution was actually
started and in running order. Seeing
the dilemma Of the trustees caused by this
provision, Mr., Salisbury put his hand into
his pocket and brought out $25 900, thus
enabling Clark University to get itself
started.
People with tickets to sell and subscrip-
tion lists to I'll found in him friend. A
young woman who was trying to get up
subscription lecture for struggling woman
artist Of Boston and " orcester went to
see him about it, She said she hoped to
sell 100 tickets at 81 each.
How manv do you want me to take?"
asked Mr.. Salisbury. Would five be
enough2'
Il shall feel very much obliged if you
will take five," responded the young woman
promptly.
Mr. Salisbury thought a minute Then:
"If you can find any one to use them
will pay for ten " he said in his International,
exceedingly deliberate voice, "and you can
send four to me.
At the conclusion Of the lecture he took
II on himself to see the young woman and
ask her how many tickets were sold.
Eighty eight" she said,
Mr.. Salisbury made his customary pause;
then he drawled out:
well. | think It would be pity not to
make it a round hun red. I will pay for
the other twelve tickets"
Horseback riding was one Of his greatest
pleasures. He went for ride on the Sun
day morning he was taken i'll. Flowers he
loved. Music, and especially sacred music,
he was fond of, but his tastes were rather old
fashioned and ran to pieces with tunes to
them.
He was especially fond of the harp, which
his mother used to play, and 1t was largely
through his sentimental attachment to this