Great Falls tribune., 1888-09-26
WILLIAM. A. CLARK

In this young county, so tull OF new
settlers, many people ask for authentic
details of William A. Clark's career. They
hear old timers speak we'll of him, and
they find thathis political opponents are
able to say nothing against him. But
there is still natural desire for further
information which we readily crafty be-
cause Mr.. Clark's record does credit to
NJ ontana and shows what pluck and per-
severance will accomplish here
Mr.. Clark came to Montana in 1854
Tie territory was then young. The
p, pulatien was scanty. There were no
railroads. Miners were busy in Last
Chance Gulch, but nothing had been done
to develop the immense deposits at Butte,
Marysville and Granite Mountain. The
prospects for new settlers w&ere not good.
The civil war was coming to close and the
east was entering on an era of unexam-
pied prosperity. The immense Gisburse-
ments for war expenses were enriching
merchants and manufacturers. Farmers
We're receiving high prices for their pro-
duce and cities were springing up in the
westward track of empire.
Mr.. Clark was not discouraged. He
had cast his fortunes in Montana and
here he would stay. "Here I am and
here I shall remain" he said like the
French marshal who was advised to re-
tire from the fort, which he and his
brave troops had just entered. The young
settler, endowed with the ardor of youth,
took whatever work was offered. This
happened to be mail carrying. He fulfill
ed his contracts which, in that disturbed
time, implied pluck as we'll as fidelity.
He was next attracted to mining and
spent few years among the Beaverhead
placers. His experience Of Montana life
prepared him for mercantile pursuits and
he began business in Helena in 1867. In
1869 times became dull in that city and
he went to Deer Lodge, where he enter
ed into partnership with R. W. Donnell,
whose uncle was we'll known merchant
of Virginia City. Business prospered
with the new firm and in 1871 they found
ed the banking house Of Donnell, Clark
s. Larabie. Mr.. Donnell subsequently
withdrew from the firm, which continues
in business at Deer Lodge, enjoying the
reputation of being, with perhaps one ex-
ception, the oldest bank in the territory.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Clark kept his eye on
Butte. His early taste for mining pur-
suits was still strong. During spare
hours he studied mining and metallurgy
In 1877 he made his first investment in
the silver city. He bought some mining
locations and quartz mill from W. L.
Farlin, who had hastened back from Ida
ho two years before and relocated
mines on the black Lodges which he was
convinced were full of silver Mr.. Clark's
success since that investment is we'll
known. He has acquired mines and
smelters, which have yielded him large
wealth and continue to reward his enter
prise with liberal returns.
Among the properties Of which Mr..
Clark is the sole or chief owner is the
noted Colusa Smelter, which in one year
produced 100000 pounds of fine copper,
100000 ounces of silver and 1900 ounces
of gold. The Original lode, the Stewart
mine, Clark's Fraction, the Elm Orlu, the
Ramsdell Parrott, and the Neptune are
some of the many properties in which
Mr. Clark is also interested.
In conducting these enterprises Mr..
Clark gives employment to large num-
bers of miners. He pays them the stand
ard rate Of $3.50 per day and has steadily
resisted all attempts to reduce their wages.
He holds that the mine should pay
such wages if it be worth working at all.
Mr.. Clark has a fine residence in Butte
and spends his money where he makes it.
He takes an acting interest in public aft
airs. He was president Of the convention
which five years ago framed constitu-
tion for the state of Montana. He was |
chairman of the democratic territorial
and as such directed its affairs |
with ability and success. In all that con-
Germs Montana he is liberal and non
partisan. He rejoices in the growth of |
the entire territory and will do his best
to promote 1t.