Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-03-20
PASTOR TAKESHIM INTO Home
He Takes Pastors Wife Out Old Story Of
Beauty and the Beast Brought True
THIEF IN PRISON CELL

by the Rev. Neetor n. ClafKsoh,
mission worker.
The thief was a strong man whom
weak woman attempted to reform. She
was mission worker, wife OF Rev. MIR
CIsrkson and mo- her of his five children
The thief obtained complete mental con.
troll of the woman. He induced her tc
believe that he was prosecuted man,
that he was in jail through perlured
testimony. He made her desert hei
husband and children and run off with
him. The curtain fell when he deserted
her within few weeks. Where she il
now. neither her husband nor friends
know. The thief is "Owen Conn.,, q
Chicago pioduct, now in custody in
San Francisco. He is accused OF bur
glarly and thefts aggregating 100000.
He stopped at the st. Francis Hotel
In trying to escape he WIS shot through
the leg.
Soon Conn began to talk He told
the police that he had been compelled to
steal to satisfy the tastes OF wealthy
woman. He lied Two years ago Mrs.
Clarkson, who ls 80 years of age and
attractive, accompanied her husband on
visit to the county jail. They had
been married II years and lived happily
She was a mission worker at Is and they
married while working side by side 1t
was an eventfnl visit to the county jail
They met Conn. He is IS, insinuating,
persuasive, good looking but a crook
with i long record He was charged
with burglary
MAINTAINS INNOCENCE.
He told Mrs. Clarkson that he was IN
nocent. She was deeply impressed with
the "yarn' he spun. She called several
times and brought him food and dainties-
She gave him Bible and many tracts
describing the HBetter Life. She came
frequently unaccompa ed by her hus-
band. When Chicago found that Mil
waukee had better case..against the thlei
he was taken north, convicted OF larceny
and sentenced to a year in the Waupun
penitentiary.
Here is the way he wrote to Mrs
Clarkson from bis prison:
ssDear Mabel recall message that
| received in the Milwaukee County jail
from some one who said they would stick
by me through thick and thin when all
others would desert me This has been a
beacon hope to me in time OF discour-
agement, and much OF my hopes are
centered on its promises. Will 1T be
fulfilled? Oh, l hope SO, yet some
times have doubts about it. Where is
that lock OF hair? Why, I've got it and
| intend to always have it, Also the
ring, or what is left of it.
ssWell dear Mabel, if these few re-
manning months will see the end OF my
punishment, will be contented, for
know that l never will be dishonest
again. I've got enough faith in myself
to know that can make successful
and honest living, and have the will
and ambition to carry it through. Give
my love to Ruth and all and don't under
value your own self. 1t is contagious
and is not right. Put the right value
on yourself and then live up to specifica-
tons. You can write to me every day il
you want to. 1t won't make me bit
sorry if youzwant to. 1t won't make
me unhappy. Well, goodbye for this
time. God bless you, as ever. OWEN"
LIVED IN HOME.
Conn was released in the autumn and
came direct to the home of the Clarksor
family. He lived under the same roc
with the woman. The husband discovered
the prison letter. He asked Conn te
leave the house. Conn wrote this:
81 must admit that you have the
right to be indignant at the seemingly
friyolous or sentimental tone of my cor
respondence with Mrs. c., but my deal
sir, you are wholly mistaken in my
motive regarding her / know | have
been over familiar in my attitude in my
ways but, as God is my Judge, | have
never had any dishonorable intentions o.
designs toward you or her"
The thief continued to make his home
in the house
Christmas Eve the former mission
worker, dragged down by the thief
deserted her husband and children
She did not have the heart to leave
her baby. She took the little one witt
her, but sent the child back within !
!. week.
"a month ago I received an aaony
nous letter." said Rev. Clarkson, ''stat
ING Conn had deserted my wife il