Panama City pilot., 1908-04-30

moved from North Carolina to Geor-
gia in IVA, his father soon becoming
a captain of Militia. He advanced
through intermediate positions reach
ing that of Brigadier General toward
the close of the war.
At the age of IA John, or "Jack" as
he was called by his friends, was at
tending school in Wake county, North
Carolina, but a scouting party being
raised in that section to 90 against
the Tories the patriot boy left his
school and Joined them. From that
time on he was almost constantly in
service. He fought at the battle of
Augusta under his father Brig. Gen.
Clark. His courage and activity soon
won for him the rank of lieutenant, to
which position he was appointed at
the age of IS, and soon after was
made a captain Of militia.
He particularly distinguished him
self at the battle Of MusgrOves mill,
August 18th, 1880. Both himself and
father were wounded in that fight
A writer describing Elijah Clark 5
part in it sets forth some character
istics that give an insight into the
character of his sou John. The writer
says:
"COl Clark fought desperately and
received two sabre cuts on the back
of his neck. At one time he was
actually surrounded by the enemy
and in charge of two stout cavalry
men. Renowned for his strength and
activity he knocked one of them
down, put the other to flight, and
then liberated himself from his I'M
pleasant situation. Col Clark was
every inch a herO.D
Besides having such a man for a
father, young Clark passed all his
childhood days amidst surroundings
that were we'll calculated to make of
him the patriotic, plucky, and pow
erful young man that he was. After
the close of the Revolutionary War
he seems to have followed the for
tunes of his father, who was engaged
in putting down indian outbreaks.
History records his taking a prOmi-
nent part in the battle of Jacks
! Greek, IN 1897, i@&ich . nlarauding
party of Indians were defeated and
dispersed. The report of Gen Elijah
Clark of this fight, dated Sept 24th,
1897, has the following relative to the
part taken by Major John Clark.
II drew up my men in three di-
visions, the right commanded by Col
Freeman, the left by Ma iOr Clark and
the middle by myself. Colonel Free
man and Major Clark were ordered
to surround and charge the Indians
which they did with such deXterity
and spirit that they Immediately drove
them from their encampment back
into the cane brake.'
His ValOr and ability, as displayed
in this and other engagements,
brought recognition from the Sta e
legislature, which elected him to the
office of Brigadier General, and then
Major General of the State Militia.
He also was frequently elected to
various civil offices Near the close
of the war of 1912, when the British
threatened the South Atlantic sea-
board, Major Gen Clark was appoint
ed by Gov Early to take charge of the
defenses of the coast, and southern
boundary of Georgia.
Soon after the close of this war we
find him taking a still more active
interest in the politics of the State.
and in 1916 he was chosen one of the
Electors of President and Vice Presi-
dent. Ii was about this period of his
life that he fought duel with W. II.
Crawford, prominent politician of
the day. The latter had killed Peter
Van Allen in a duel and was con
sidered a deadly shot. However he
met his match in Gen Clark, and was
severely wounded. Gen Clark was
devOtedly attached to his family, one
daughter being very beautiful and
charming, and tradition states that
this duel with Crawford was in some
way connected with this daughter.
He began his first term as governor
of Georgia in November, 1919, was
reelected, and served until November
1923. He is described as the "mCst
noted partizan leader in Georgia. .
Like the men of that day he drank
the liquors of the dav, probably some
times to such an extent as to make
him unreasonable and peevish. as
one writer states ''he was ugly when
in his cups, . but be was always noted