The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-27
TAR HEEL RULER
OF CRACKERDOM
A Sketch of the Life of Gen.
John Clarke.
EDUCATED IN WAKE
Then he Became Major in the Rev
dictionary Army
AND A MAJOR GENERAL IN MEXICAN WAR
He Was The Chief Executive Of Georgia From
1919 tOi823. A Treaty Of Peace With
the indians Under His ADJ
ministration.
lBy Chas. Edgeworth Jones.

| (By Chas. Edgeworth Jones.)
picturesque executive l would here
refer to is General John Clarke. Sprung
from heroic lons. he was almost from
his cradle a soldier. and to a brief con-
sideration of his eventful biography now
! invite attention.
Born in North Carolina about 1865, he
was the undaunted son of General Elijah
| Clarke, whose brilliant partisan exploits
during the Revolution helped to stem the
tetide of British victory, and to pave the
| way for the eventful triumph OF the pa
triots. From his father he instinctively
imbibed many Of the sturdy traits which
characterized that famous personality;
his prediction for martial service as
sorting itself at an early period in his
noteworthy career.
At the age of fourteen, or about 1873.
John Clarke was entered as student ri
school in Wake county, North Carolina
There, however, during that distracting
crisis he could not be persuaded long to
remain, as within a short time he became
aligned with a scouting party, specially
raised with reference to operations
against malignant tories. His taste for
active field duty was apparent from the
start, and in proof of his rapid proicien-
cy we record the fact that several months
after his enlistment under the banner OF
the embattled patriots, or at the com
mencement of $780, our worthy was regu-
larly appointed as a lieutenant of militia
In the sequent summer other military dis
tinction was likewise added, being pro-
NOTED to the grade of captain OF the
Georgia militia. AS such, under the COM
mand of his distinguished father, he had
the honor of notably participating in the
engagements at Woford's Iron Works and
Musgrove's Mill in August, 1880, and in
the siege and capture of Augusta in the
early summer of 1881. On the last named
occasion he CALAMITY contributed to the
triumphant outcome of an affair which
reflected signal credit upon American
arms.
Four years or more after the termina-
tion of Revolutionary hostilities, or in the
fall OF 1887, when the valorous reputation
OF Captain Clarke had won for him ad-
vancement to the rank of Major that Of
acer had the privilege of being conspicu-
ously identified with the battle of Jacks
Creek, within the territorial limits OF
what was afterwards known as Walton
county The direction of the conflict in
question: which was, presumably, waged
with the Creek Indians, was confded to
the illustrious father of Our sturdy sub
ject. AS a result Of the lethal collision.
We proudly point to such a complete over
throw of the dusky antagonists as amply
attested the irresistible valor of General
Elijah Clarke and of his unfiinching
Georgians.
From this time on his military eleva-
ton was rapidly accomplished; within a
faN h.. al ~. a.
of Major General of militia When the
war Of 1S121815 supervened his valued
ministrations were again called into dis
tinctive requisition. At most critical
and dangerous time toward the close OF
that sanguinary struggle the martial in
tervention of General Clarke was patri-
otically invoked by Governor Early the
then executive of the Commonwealth. The
assignment as determined on for the for
mer veteran officer was an important
one. He was intrusted with the ,ex-
elusive command OF all the forces des-
tined for the protection Of the seacoast
and southern boundary of Georgia, the
responsibility as thus imposed being man
fully and most satisfactorily met
In 1916 the first political honor was
conferred upon General Clarke, through
his choice as an elector on the Monroe
Presidential ticket. Three years later he
was admiringly advanced to the chief
magistracy of the Commonwealth This
was in November, 1919. and from that
time since until the fall of 1923 our sub
ject was proudly saluted as the incumbent
in the Hottest official position within the
popular gift. Among the incidents i'm
parting distinctiveness to his administra-
tion we would mention that early in 1921
an important conference was held with
the Creeks at Indian Springs. Butts
county. AS a result OF that interview a
treaty was concluded with the red men
whereby an extensive territorial convey
ance to the State was effected The
lands as ceded were situate between the
Ocmulgee and Flint rivers. they being
speedily organized into the counties OF
Bibb Crawford, Dooly, Fayette, Henry,
Houston, Monroe and pike.
Upon the conclusion Of his gubernato-
rial tenure, in November 1928, General
Clarke retired into private life. Four
years thereafter or in 1897, he resolved
to transfer his residence to West Flori-
da. in tho hope Of there finding fitting
retreat from the cares OF a busy ana
eventful career And when. on the 18th
of October, 1892, the final summons came
TO General John Clarke, patriot was
withdrawn whose stormy existence had
been spent in the patriotic service Of his
adopted Commonwealth.
=