New-York tribune., 1907-01-28
W0MAN'S SAD PLIGHT
Wife of Once Wealthy La1cyer No10
Living AI0ne an Poverty.

Mrs. William I. Conkin. who once enjoyed
wealth and social position in New Rochelle ana
Mount Vernon the wife of William l.. Conklln
ex-iustice of the peace and ex-chef OF police Of
New Rochelle and later Corporation Counsel
and legal adviser of Mayor Fiske of Mount Yer
non, living in destitute circumstances all alone
in a little house at 2S7th street near Webster ave
nue.. in The Bronx.
Tribune reporter visited Mrs Conklin at her
home yesterday. There four rooms in the
house, only Of which heated, and that by
a little sheetron stove. which she cooks her
meals such they are Mrs. Conklin was un-
willing talk about her husband or her former
life a society leader in Mount Vernon and New
Rochelle
My former friends have all forgotten me- she
said Yes have hard work getting along. 1t is all
/ can 90 to make both ends meet.
Mrs. Conklin said the only income she received
was from syndicate. for which from time to time
she designed parts Of posters used in lobbies. L.
stations and the subway. She appeared to be poor
ly nourished. and the house poorly furnished
and cold All she had TO sleep on was couch.
1T pity that Mrs Conkn should have
TO suffer so for no fault of her own If her former
friends could only see her. doubt they would
gladly help her. If she would accept it," said Mr..
StillwelL former friend of Mr. COukn. when
he heard or the woman's plight she To me
when her husband died. and l offered TO defray
half the funeral expenses. if she could raise the
other half That is the last l heard OF her l sup
pose she could not get the money" he added.
Mr.. Conklin died in the City Hospital on Black
wells Island November IS last. lie was found
sick and destitute at tine of East 10Th street
the day before and taken to Bellevue Hos
pital. He requested the authorities in of his
death TO notify Sidney Leyison Of No. l92 Main
street New Rochelle. 4 real estate dealer. and
Stephen j. Stillwel!. attorney. al nth street
and Third avenue
These We're duly informed by the authori-
ties OF Mr Conklin's death. bur. instructions
regarding the burial were received from them. the
body OF the once wealthy and influential attorney
and politician was put into cheap pine coffin
the Morgue. where II had been taken from the
city Hospital, and preparations were made TO bury
X in POtteTs Field.
Mrs Conklin had heard OF her husbands death
and was trying to raise money to the body
from going 10 POttcrs Field. She went TO his for
mer friends in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.
but they did not respond TO her appeals for help,
with the exception Of Mr. Stillwell, who offered
defray half the expenses. As she had money.
she was unable TO accept this offer.
Finally Mrs. Conklin went to undertaken IN
Mount Vernon who had known the family in days
Of prosperity and he consented TO take charge OF
the burial upon her promise to pay him In install
lin buried In St Paul's Cemetery, in East
Chester. Ills wife the only mourner.
Mr.. StllweH and others who had known Mr..
Conklin said yesterday that his downfall due
to drink. He had at one time large and lucrative
law practice and was associated with ex-Justice
John }. CTeunan. of New Rochelle. under the firm
name OF Crennan & Conklin. They had among
their clients G. Oliver Iscn. Henry Siegel and
other residents Of DAyenport'S Neck.