San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-02-22
A BIG STAKE.
Her an Indians Man Makes Om HIS
CIaSm 70 the Estate Of T~-as
millionaire.
IRON III. Cincinnati Enquirsr.l

nearly all the prominent he"sP"Psi" 40
the West have contained something
about the Clark estate in Texas, none OF
which has been correct, your correspon-
dent has taken the pains to visit one OF
the alleged true heirs, and from him
obtained the following history OF the
reckless yet fortunate man, John o.
Clark, whose only legitimate son, Pres
ton Clark, is q resident Of this place,
and who is now hard at work getting
evidence to prove his heirship.
John G. Clark and James Clark,
brothers, were born in Ireland and en-
igrated to America in 1910. John q.
Clark came to Indiana territory and
settled on Clark's grant, of which the
present county of Harrison was then a
part. He married in 1912 widowlady
named Nancy Edwards, and two chill
dren were born to them, Preston in
1914 and Marinda in 1916. Clark lived
about five years with his wife, and then
deserted her for woman OF the
world named Aikens, who resided in
the same neighborhood. Clark did not
obtain divorce from his wife, and di-
vorces were not SO fashionable in those
days, and after Mrs. Aikens had a
daughter born to her he suddenly de-
serted her and took passage on II flat
boat for New Orleans. On the way
down the river Clark got into an alter
cation with one of the boat hands, and
killed him. The owner Of the boat re
fused to carry his troublesome passen-
ger any further, and Clark and compan.
ion were landed on one of the islands
in the Mississippi, and left to their fate.
After remaining on the island about
six weeks the men succeeded in making
their way to the Arkansas shore, and
then journeyed to Texas. Clark loca-
ted in what is now Wharton county, be-
came good citizen, and, by industry.
began amassing large fortune. But
his inherent weakness got the better OF
him again, and he took as mistress Il
mulatto woman, living with her until
she died. A boy and girl were thu
fruits of Clark's last venture, the girl
dying at an carly age. The boy, War
rem Clark, lived and grew to mans estate
and after his fathers death tried to OBJ
tain possession of the estate. But as
his mother and Clark were never le-
gally married, his claims persisted.
Preston Clark, the legitimate son,
remained with his mother until she
again married, when he came to this
country, where he has since resided.
His sister was subsequently taken into
the Posey family at Corydon, Ind,
where she married Asa Buckles and re-
moved to Hardin county, Kentucky
Brother and sister knew but little OF
each other, and much less of the father
who had deserted them. Some time
ago Preston Clark was led to believe
that his father was the Texan million
airc. and by closely tracing him after his
leaving this state, he has found chain
of evidence which goes to show beyond
doubt that he is son of John G. Clark.
There is said to have been a will left
by John C. Clark, but none can be
found. The sons of James Clark,
nephcws to John C. Clark, have sue
cecded in establishing their relation
ship to the dead millionaire. OF course
the state of Texas will remain in pos
session of the estate until the courts
decide to whom it belongs.
MIR. Gather, of Hardin county, Ken
lucky, attorney for Mrs. Buckles, was
here a few days since to see Preston
Clark and his attorney, ex-Judge Emer-
son. Mr.. Gather had been to Texas on
business connected with the estate, and
had dispositions in his possession from
prominent citizens of Texas who were
intimately acquainted with John G.
Clark during his lifetime. These depo-
sitions set forth that Clark claimed to
be from Harrison county, Ind, and that
he had stated that he had two children
residing in Indiana who would inherit
his property. The attorneys in behalf
of the heirs are sanguine of success.
Preston Clark. who will undoubtedly.
como ipto nossession of half this estate.