Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-03-20
Story of Romance, Tragedy,
Ends as Helen Clair Passes

The final chapter in a story Of 70
nance. adventure. a successful theat-
rical career and final poverty was
written in Great Falls recently with
the death OF Helen Clare, who sue
cumbed at 60.
Most Of the facts Of the story will
probably never be written because
Helen didn't talk much about her life
She made lot Of money In her time
but could never manage to save any
For more than 10 years she lived In
Great Falls and nearly everyone had
heard about her.
To most she will be remembered as
the woman who in recent years went
around the streets pushing a peram-
bulator which she used to support her
self in walking. Those who knew her
recall her great love for animals. par
ticularly dogs, and her spirit OF in
dependence in the face of poverty.
Helen was once a beautiful actress
and even in late years there were re-
naming marks Of her beauty-the
snappy, dark, expressive eyes, and a
face that hadn't been SCARED by hard
ship. She first came to Montana more
than 40 years ago to appear here at
the old Park theater in a variety show,
She was billed in an acrobatic act with
her husband, member of the famous
European Polo family During the act,
she also put on comedy skit and
sang
The troupe moved on and Helen re-
turned east with her husband. Things
didn't work out well for the couple
and they separated. Helen, remember
ing Montana as a prosperous country
IN the midst of a mining boom, re-
turned. She obtained work in variety
shows in Butte, Helena, Billings, Wal
lace, Idaho, and finally came back to
Great Falls. In the early part of the
century, she worked at the old Stock
holm there as an entertainer and then
started running boarding house,
In about 1915 she opened Helen's
Hand laundry. 1t was at this time that
she started raising dogs. which later
became one of her means of making
living. During the last war she took
an active part In the sale of victory
ponds and friends recalled her ardent
love Tor this country despite the fact
that she was native of Germany.
She was born in Saxony, GERMANY.
IN January, 1873. When a Young girl
she came to the United States. MANY
who knew her thought that she had
received extensive formal education be-
cause of her mental keenness and gen
eral knowledge, but friends saw that
she acquired her learning the hard
Way-taking advantage of every on
portunlty to advance herself after she
reached this country.
Chance meeting with a theatrical
producer who admired her voice led TO
the stage. She had been living in wis
consin with friends before that time
During the years that followed She
played in stock company productions
as a chorus girl and singer. in manv
cities in the United States and made
several trips abroad. Among the few
possessions which she left were mir.
lures taken during her acting career.
During recent years she had been
IN poor health but refused to accept
any more charity than she had to. She
nVed alone IN a one-room house at
2OO zenith avenue south, with her pets,
When she was no longer able to take
care of herself, she was taken to a
hospital She wasn't satisfied there
ana wanted to be taken back to her
nome to die. Old-time friends. JOS
ephine Ashley and the latter's uncle,
Fritz Workman, who were among those
who had helped take care of her, took
her to their home. Her final request.
a few hours before she died, was that
she be taken back to her own house
70 die; She also requested that she be
buried in dress which she had been
saving for that purpose.
When it locked like her final stage
was set, Helen didn't forget her dog
pets She called veterinarian and or
dered that they be put to death so
That they wouldn't suffer from lack
Of attention.