The Tupelo journal., 1905-09-15

but ! guess young Richard and
his Indian friend had a more vivid
experience as to how things
\ looked up a tree that night than
any Of my readers have ever had
or are likely to have.
j Col. Clark only went to school
a few months in his whole life.
But that doesnot mean that he
had no education. On the con-
trary, after he had a family, and
after he had been chosen trustee
of Lagrane college, Ala, he stud
led and recited of nights, after
his days work was over, and by
this means learned much; and
then his uncommon sound sense
and good judgement enabled
him to seperate the chaff from
the wheat in his extensive read
ing and large observation. Col.
Clark was a farmer for many
years, but all the while a born
trader, and his discomment of
the right thing to buy and the
right time to buy it, enabled
him to succeed financially. He
moved to Monroe county, to the
place known as the old Home
Place, in the Bob Clark tract Of
land, about 1848, and remained
there till he moved to Verona in
1860. When the war come up he
had accumulated considerable
estate, which was largely dis
sipated by the result of the war.
Beginning almost at the bottom
again, as he had done at the
first, he took charge of the diff
ferent mercantile firms, of which
he was the recognized head, at
at Verona and Tupelo, and by
his careful and prudent manage
ment, they all succeeded well,
and brought success and profit
to him and all who were connec-
| ted with him. Few men were
better judges of men and bus
mess transactions than Col. Clark
After he had made a success of
his mercantile enterprises, he
and Mr.. A. H. Raymond, one of
his partners, organized the Lee
county Bank, and Col. Clark
was elected president, and acted
in that capacity until the Bank
was merged into the Bank Of
Tupelo, and removed from Verona
to Tupelo, and he continued it's
president to the time of his death.
The Bank under his management
was successful and popular, AMI
he laid the foundation for the
phenomenal success which that
Bank has attained since his death.
Col. Clark often said, in speaking
of the fine, but wet bottom lands
round Verona and Tupelo, that
they would be very valuable in
the near future, and that too be-
fore any canals had been dug or
projected for their drainage.
Col. Clark raised a family of five
boys and two girls, all Of whom
are living but one, and the sons
possess in a large measure the
business capacity ana sagasity of
their father. | was often at
Col. Clark's home, but not en-
ough to be able to speak in its
fulness Of his home life. But
my observation and information
lead me to characterize itas ideal
He and his good wife passed the
golden mile stone celebration by
tea years, making their marriage
| life in all about sixty years. Col.
Clark was about as equable and
even tempered man as you ! have
ever met. He had no difficulties
of a personal nature. He always
managed to avoid them in some
way. Ifyou wanted trouble, he did
not, and if you would listen to
reason none would occur. He
Twas a man with a large store of
useful knowledge, good talker,
| and at the same time fine listen
er, SO that he made an excellent
companion. To get the full ben
eft, however, Of his conpanship,
! it was necessary to be with him
lin his home. In that straight
/ forward old fashioned way with
out any forrnalities, he under
I stood how to take care of his
1 guests, and he was to them both