The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-16
He. CLARKE, NOTED
NEWS GATHERER, DIES
a Friend Of Juarez, Mexico's
Liberator, He Reported Maxi
milian's Execution.
FACED DEATH MANY TIMES

WARRINGTON, Nov. 15.-H. Conquest
Clarke. 75 years old. veteran newspaper
correspondent, died in Washington to-day.
Mr.. Clarke. who had a most remarkable
career, had lived in retirement for about
ten years
He was born In England and at tho
age of Is was an expert stenographer
In the House OF Commons. He acted
private secretary for the Emperor MAXI
milan during the siege OF Queretaro.
He was secretary OF w. p. Kellogg when
Mr.. Kellogg was the Carpet Bag Gov
ernor of Louisiana. lie also was secre-
tary OF the commission which Investigated
the Frcedmen's Bureau OF tho South.
Mr.. Clarke was in all these the news
paper man first. His Mexican dispatches
to New York newspaper were one long
series OF world beats" and gave readers
their first accurate insight Into condi-
tions and events leading UP TO and fol-
lowing the downfall OF the last Emperor.
His work almost cost him his life. only
his English citizenship and a fast horse
saving him from death beside his chief
at the hands OF Gen. Blanquets firing
squad.
Born in 1889. tho son Of J. slatteriee
Clarke. J. p. founder and proprietor OF
che Peterborough, England, Advertiser,
Mr.. Clarke soon after his marriage came
10 this country and got employment on
the New York Herald. His knowledge OF
foreign affairs his linguistic ability and
his facile style won him almost immediate
recognition. Mr.. Clarke was put In con-
troll of tho foreign department OF the
paper.
Went with sherman 20 Mexico.
When President johnson sent Cen sher-
man TO Mexico to treat semi-offic!ally with
Benito Juarez. then IN command of tho
revolutionary forces Mr. Clarke was sent
along His newspaper connection was
kept secret officially he was secretary
TO one of the party.
on the voyage Gen Sherman. whose
aversion to newspaper men was notorious.
learned of Mr.. Clarkes dual office and
put him ashore at Havana. Taking ship
from there. Mr.. Clarke reached Vera Cruz
before Sherman and his party. Sherman
never was able TO find Juarez. Mr.. Clarke
spent days with the rebel chieftain, after
ward MeMco's President
1t is said that Mr.. Clarke while walk
ing around the seaport soon after his ar
rival at Vera Cruz met a man Of pleasant
manner and French tongue whom he ac-
compan!ed to his home To his surprise
he heard his new made friend addressed
ms Your Majesty" and learned for the
first time the identity OF the Emperor
Macmillan. When Macmillan was exc
cuted Mr.. Clarke brought the first news
OF the tragedy TO the outer world. making
the end OF a telegraph line at New Or
leans by the aid OF hastily Communicated
means OF transportation.
Mr.. Clarke was well prepared by his
stormy Mexican experiences for service in
the South az private secretary to Gov.
Kellogg OF Louisiana and later as score
tarv TO Gov. kelloggs successor. Mr..
Clarke's experience IN 1853 as stenog
rapher to the Freedmans Bureau inves-
tlgation commission commended him 10
Gov. Kellogg. He had settled In New
Orleans where he introduced stenography
into the local courts at the invitation OF
the New Orleans Bar Association. In
his capacity as secretary 10 Gov Kellogg
he ran just about the same chances as
while secretary To JaNim.lan.
Dangers In Rrconstruction Days.
During the Kellogg administration"
declares a writer who knew Mr.. Clarke
then. The state Government was corralled
IN the State House about once year for
six weeks by an unwilling constituency
and IN September. 1874. battle was
fought IN the streets OF New Orleans in
which more than 200 men were killed and
the state House was evacuated and the
State officers took refuge In Uncle Sans
Custom House"
Mr.. Clarke came TO Washington in 1877
as chief OF New York papers He was
an active newspaper worker here until
1927. when he accepted a position in
the Post ONCE Department during Pres-
dent Mckinleys Administration.
Mr.. Clarke was an active worker in the
Gridlron club. which he served in several
official capacities. Up TO recently, when
his health necessltated almost continuous
confinement, he was member OF the