New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-23
THE PASSING OF MAJOR CLARK.
AN ACCOUNT OF HIS ECCENTRICITIES.
COLONEL FELLOWS GLAD THAT THE INDICTED

COLONEL FELLOWS GLAD THAT THE INDICTED
souTHERNER JUMPED" HIS BAIL.
Major William Hancock Clark. who was indicted
in the General Sessions for firing revolver nunper
of times at a fellow member of the southern society
In front Of the clubhouse In West Twenty fourtlSt
on the evening Of January 10. but who Jumped MS
BALI in extremely uncmvalric fashion Oh "eoiio'
day, or the night before, when about to be placed OH
trial, is man of many eccentrciues for seNeiu
years he has been prominent figure in Southern
and Confederate circles In NewYork, ana IL he mas
| indeed decampcd "for good and al' II VIII be
found difficult to AL the gap that he has eit Ihcre
was no question about the ancestral luSre WHICH
surrounded him. for he descendant OF the ceio
bratcd explorer of the Northwest whose name hhheo
with that Of Merlwcther Lewis made Lewis ana
Ciarker familiar TO every student OF geography
Another ancestor a noted fronticrsman TO WHOLE
John Randolph of Roanoke gave the credit In an
eloquent speech in Congress OF saving tennessee 10
the American Union. still another hllsmah "a~
John b. Clark who represented a Missouri dlSulc1 III
Congress at the outbreak Of the war ana tooH d
prominent part on the secession side. The son OF
the latter Congressman John b. Clark. OF the same
state until last December clerk OF tho Democratic
House of Representatives, was the Majors cousin.
With all this fine showing of ancestry and relation
ship. the Majors own record during the "la'c "ah'
when he is alleged 10 have gained his military u'io
is dim and shadowy. The Major claimed intimate
South. and said he had rendered unique services o'
the side Of the Confederate states in the fell struggle
but close inquiry failed TO obtain much SPECIFIC III
formation regarding the tragic occurrences OF ll'
life The Major always "thar or tharabouts
when bloody battle fought. but tho army.
corps division, brigade STAFF with which he served
remained in the rccltals Of his proves In delightful
state OF uncertainty. lie never bothered himself
or his friends With particulars Of his army career
This, however, did not prevent him from
coming TO the front lin great shapc' whenever
southern heroes were in demand. from taking all
active part whenever funds were to be raised for a
Confederate home hospital. The Major was sure to
rise TO the occasion and tell his dear comrades eX
artly how TO raise the money and what TO do with
IL after it raised.
The Majors first appearance in NewYOrk was some
twelve years ago. when in spite Of his record as ne
norseless slayer Of Union soldiers he was able to
obtain from a Republican Administration an appoint
ment as an inspector Of customs at this port But tho
early rising required Of al occupant of this post and
the extended duties which made his presence neceS
say upon the pier "evcn unto the going down OF Inc
sun were not to the Majors taste and after few
months service inspector he secured transfer
b. the Appraisers stores As an examiner with an In
| creased salary and considerable decrease In the
| number of hours Of duty.
! While holding the last named place thu Major sue
ceedcd in attracting an unusual amount OF attention.
The Treasury Department called upon all examiners
/
regarding certain subjects connected with their duties
and their answers were published In the report OF the
Department for the year. The Major took occasion I"
make a vehement attack upon his Immediate superior
and associates, inteaced with statements OF ohoiai
iolbles and nisdoings. Strange 10 say, however no
punishment was mcted ont 10 him his " letter was
simply ignored for the excellent reason, perhaps tha
10 notice il al all would have been 10 admit that iS
author was entitled TO some consideration ana tha W
renections upon other officials contained sufficient
truth 10 demand refutatlon. Effort, However were
made 70 effect his removal but his southern ba'"hI
nrovcd too much fox those who .ongh his dismissal
The Major had an unvaryine propensity for plotting
against those in authority Oyc: him. To his mhH
they were always doing something 10 damage hin'
ard lie reciprOcacd by taking frequent OCCASION "'
| lie aid Of putting them in a hole 1t seems am
cult to believe but is the fact. nevertheless th'
rppublicans were powcrless u get rd OF NM lis
southern pull always was eiiectual it vas not
until the Treasury Department, the Custom House ana
! m. Appraiscr's stores under complete Demo.
cratic control that the Major had his Official head taken
OF.
His next appearance was IN the role OF q
| Harlem Democrat and in the campaign OF l-7' JIG
| took "A conspicuous part, IN ms own Wlhn' III "''
e,ection Of Colonel john Il. Fellows to the Once OF
district Attorney. Those who have heard the NdJo'
tell Of the miraculous thing, he DID IN colonel Iel
ov,s interest that fail could scarcely be accused 81
crcdullty II they became convinced thai thc '"ioh'
| owed his election wholly 10 tlc Na!'ro c'''''",'
As reward for such signal services to Colonel Eel
| lows Commissioners sherman and Adams"n thch lN
cotrol Of the Bureau OF Accounts appointed the MAJOR
n a clcrkship in their Office at $500 year. bN'
The Majors rresi tib!c bent toward conspiracy JOY
| tho overthrow Of somebody above him soon got mn
| iuto trouble with the Commissioners Alter Vliih"f
| oyor tnc situation deeply and consulting Win per-
SONS whom he dcnOminatcf a. his "irend7' ne de'd'
that he ought 10 be- a Commissioner OF Accounts nm
| .cr tn effect this he decided to have Mr. Atkinson
| transferred 10 the Park Board 10 create Nacanfy
| lie made a number Of calls upon Mayor Hewitt ana
expained tho situation TO that funcionay Win great
miniicucss but much u his surprise the MAJOR "hN
succeeded in cAhsustng Nj Hc"its patience anu
ue last visit resulted In an invitation from Ms lo''o'
| On take his papers and d" make himself scarce
| INF the Major did rot give up the ship" Further
study convinced h,n that hi tue confs' Wa the
more simple one OF having 'oii'''slon 'l d. man. y,
moved and Uch si'ulis ~, r1. .h..,,,,,,., a. -.
| readily be- done. he Argued, for Mf. ShcdiW'" W.
very vulnerable man iI' ."o aj, W. smear
| by formulating scFir, OF On' ,,, e, -, a..
man and obtaining statements from person, 10 III la
accusations Bat, ui2rluhat " ioT tic S"jo,, "','
engaged Ia tits P"Vin1 an" 'a''n, " up
lion. shrafman bccanA aware 81 Ni' ne VIZ ",'.,'
and swoopcd down upon MA IN no' o,, ui ,nid
him Win The proof, OF what the Commissioner cdll'i
rer'timdo ana traGefS ,S ana sGr''' ''
Ills seems 10 have ended Major ClarNS Official
i ~ tH L"me OF me southern society and tue
Harlem Democratic Clu3hou-c. The cruel ati3mP'
/ IA cxccute the law on me part oI 'h'nr .'' IN
secms llclv 10 deprive city for tim at least OF
his high minded amai'ls, warm heart ara ar''es'
nrrsor Those who wonder why the Majors bail Na'
placed al the low figure OF q! Ooo Wien ,onVot,nl
under the Indictment against MN NDun NC iv
ln,,cd by n sentence Of moi less than five years IN
the state prison. might possibly find an answer ~ me
ii asant rcia.iors Which exsled between the Major
end his ad.-inarms OF the Disfrc' attorney
Office Since the Majors escape Co''n'l Fellows eN
! claimed I'm a public place " II Wa good tilng all
around that me Major got away. Why, would nave
given 500 myself to help him on
TILE BOARD COrLD TAkE no AfTION.