Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-01-09
STATE - vnAxx CLARK.

The people Of Western Washington.
from Vancouver north, were startled
yesterday BY the telegram announcing
the sudden death of Hon. Frank Clark,
than whom NO citizen of tho Territory
had . wider circle Of acquaintance.
Mr.. Cark's health was impaired and be
had been urged to try California with .
visw to securing an improvement. He
got on the train at Tacoma yesterday to
start for the Golden State, took . seat,
rested his bead on his hand, leaned for
ward, and il supposed to have died then
and Tiers, without word of warning of
any kind. The train shot out of the
town and sped over the prairie. Con-
ductor Holt noticed Mr.. Clark, of
course, and supposed from his attitude
and appearance that he was asleep. He
finally touched him, asking for his tick
ct. Getting no response he made fur
Their examination. finding that his pulse
was still forever and his body cold IN
death.
Frank Clark came to Washington q
poung man, nearly thirty years ago. and
located his home in the then thriving
and promising town of Steilaooom. He
was Just starting in the world, had no
trade or profession. no friends or ac-
quaintanoes, no letters of credit or
money. His first occupation was that
of cook in q logging camp. Being
bright. shrswd and ambitious, he did
not stay in the camp long, but went at
the Law, studied, was admitted to
practice, opened an Office, and speedily
became leading light in the profession.
It il not too much TO say that Frank
Clark stood at the head of the bar for .
long term Of years, having a moro lu-
crative practice than any OF his contem-
| porarieG, and being favored with a
greater degree of success. He was pop-
ular at homo, and was repeatedly elect
ed TO the Legislature, usually to the up
| per branch. In 1867 he was given the
Democratic nomination for Delegate to
Congress. He made special campaign,
spent every dollar he was worth. and
was beaten by Alvan Flanders. His de-
feat was nothing against Mr.. Clark, for
then, as now, no Democrat stood the
ghost Of chance against Republican
in contest for tho DeleRateship. His
| 0OAoSeS 0SW0vVAS 0aAC0 W 01S kukSOv0k.
ishment, the going down of Steilacoom,
and the Encouragement, defeat and
destruction of his long cherished plans.
had q telling effect upon him, keeping
him down for many years and making Of
him . very different man. About four
years ago he went to New Tacoma, and
IN the life, excitement and improve
ment of that busy place reRained much
that he lost in his later years at Stella
Doom. His practice at tho bar had not
only greatly increased, but his Office
business a. well, while his outside and
private enterprises were becoming enor-
NOUS. He invested his all in real es-
tate, and in the constant rise made
money fast. He built two of the most
elegant residences on tho Sound, enc of
which he kept and occupied. Mr.. Clark
was twice married. his first wife dying
ten years ago, his second surviving him.
BY the first wife he had three children,
all daughters; by the second, one child,
q SON. He was about 80 years Of age.
In Frank Clark the people of New
Tacoma and Pierce county have lost
their most able advocate, most loyal
citizen and best friend.
His body was brought back 70 New
Tacoma on the first train. and tomor-
row will be buried in the beautiful
cemetery ON the edge of the prairie
three miles from town.