The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-09
Tho Late Ebcncxcr clark.

Elitc1 IntelliGencer.
In the death of "Uncle Neze Clark" as
he was Familiarity called in the place OF
his lifelong residence (Martin's Ferry,
probably the last link has been severed
that connected the present with the times
of the early settlers Of this region.
He was the type Of an age and people,
that though seemingly 80 recent, stand as
remote and distinct from the present as
tho age Of chivalry aud The crusades a
thousand years ago.
The distance seems indeed immeasur.
able between those who then roamed the
woods in perfect freedom, who gained the
title to a thousand acres OF land by merely
occupying it, and who owed the greater
part Of their subsistence to the game
they shot with their rifles, and those who
now swelter in the smoky city and hardly
ever gaze upon the sweet face OF nature.
Born in the backwoods he was q true
type OF the early settler and hunter, who
accustomed to have all the neCessaries Of
life placed at his disposal without requir-
ing much exertion or forethouglt OH his
part, early learned to follow the scriptural
Injunction, "Let every day provide for
itself"
Like the trees OF their own native for.
ests, they follow the dictates. of their own
free natures and refused to adapt them
selves TO the artificial creeds and customs
OF q more advanced civilization"
When the spirit OF enterprise at length
crossed the mountains it soon commenced
pushing these unenterprising, unenligh-
tened settlers from the lands that they
had won from tho wood with their strong
right arms, and protected from savage
depredations with unflinching bravery,
but who were compelled to succumb to
superior intelligence, craft and cunning.
He never could appreciate the import
ance OF amassing money, but he felt the
freedom Of the breezy hills, enjoyed the
silence OF the dim old woods, and his soul
expanded with the broad river on whose
breast he was 80 often borne.
He was O passionate lover OF nature and
through constant communication with her
could interpret her every aspect.
He knew the secrets OF the forests heart
and there was not a bird;or::beast or plant.
or flower but he was familiar with its song,
its haunts or its habits.
Like Socrates-who the highly respecta-
BILE people OF his age denounced Us an
idler and loafer who corrupted the morals
OF the youth OF the city-he was very fond
OF the company OF young people, whom
he entertained with his adventures as q
ilatboatman and backwoodsman.
Tho Virginians are proverbially proud
Of their first families. Hisstood second to
none in the Old Dominion. On his faith
er's side he was OF the same blood as Gen.
Geo. Rogers CLARK, and his mother was
Elizabeth Zane, the heroine of Wheeling.
He was tenderly attached to the memo
nv OF his mother, about whom he never
grew weary OF speaking. His account Of
the siege Of Fort Henry, which he had
learned by heart from the lips OF his moth
or, Is much the most trustworthy account
Of that famous event.
He built up no fortune at the cost OF his
fellows, to insult them ~afterwards'by os'
tentatious display. He but passed his long
life in comparative poverty and obscurity'
He was a man who never wronged his
neighbor out OF o single cent; II who,
by his social manners and genial CONVEX.
sation, contributed TO the happiness OF al
who knew him, and n who, 1t is safe tc
assert, through wantonncss or malict
neverin his whole life caused a single
tear to flow. l..