The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1922-06-06

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police force, and also as chief Of the
| fire department. He became city
marshal in a short time, and helped
instill the terror Of the law in tn,
hearts Of many desperate character
there.
One night the toughs framed W
10 get the marshal. The latter wa'
/ playing pool and as the night was ho'
he had laid aside his white coat
his uniform as fire chief. A dis
turbance broke loose outside. anc
the young marshal started out to Sc,
what il was about.
Give me your coat, I'll stop that,
said one of his assistants. Downing
I the marshal's coat, the young man
went outside. where his body was
promptly riddled by fussilade OF
shots intended for Clinton.
Next morning, the chief related
he got up early and took a shotgun
down to a tank TO kill some ducks
for dinner. while his wife was pre-
pairing breakfast. On his way back
10 the house he stopped at the post
Office and was leaning over inserting
the key I'm the lock when someone
yelled
Look out, marshall
Clinton. with shotgun in hand,
whirled instantly just in time TO look
down the muzzle Of a six-shooter.
The shotgun and the pistol spoke
with one voice, and the young mar
sha's assailant crumpled up, stone
dead
Il got the man who killed my
friend the chief remarked, grimly.
He found IL necessary a few times
In defense Of his own life and in up
holding the law, 10 shoot. but he new
or spoke Of any Of those affairs with
out regret. He was absolutely fear
less, and many are the tales that are
told Of his GOODNESS in the face Of
danger
From Dodge City young Clinton
came TO Texas He landed in Abi-
lene the latter part Of 1854 and was
at once given job on the police
force. 4 short time thereafter he
was made city marshal or chief Of
police, by appointment. and late in
1885 he was regularly elected TO that
place a position he filled continuous
Is until the time Of his death. He
was the oldest chief Of police and
fire chief in the country. in point of
age and years of service, so far as
known.
The history of John J. Clinton in
Abilene is the history of the cow
town that grew into a modern city.
He watched the city grow from one
Of tents 10 one Of modern buildings
and he was as proud of II as "a man
could be.
Loved Abilene.
Abilene never was bad place,
he loved to say The boys would
get little wild in n early days,
but they were just fun of life and
out for good time
Tie saw the city change from
frontier town. where circus day
meant scores Of arrests, into a mod |
rrn city where circus day passed
without single disturbance of any
kind.
One Of his chef delights was toll
stand on the corner Of South First |
and Chestnut streets to watch the
years change cars. IL was a practice
he rehgiously observed for thirty
seven consecutive years, and he per-
mitted nothing TO keep him away
from the spot as the old year gave
place TO the new.
He was a man with a keen sense
Of humor. He never told smutty
yarns. but delighted to relate comical
actions and reactions Of the old days. /
He was an entertaining talker. when |
he would talk at all. Now and then
ne would talk freely TO one person /
md sometimes two or three. but IL
here were more than four in the
,rowd. he was silent.
One custom the chief never allow I
n anything to break. That was his
practice of attending funerals. No
natter who the person was or had
been. one person at least would be at
he funeral. and that person was
thief Clinton.
lie never made display Of his
bat il Is safe to say that
10 citizen Of Abilene ever gave more
O charity in quiet unasSumlng way
han John J.. Clinton.
No mention Of Chief Clinton's life
md work would be complete without
ONE mention Of the companion who
tayed BY his side throughout the
ears, until a few years ago. Moth
q" Clinton. who died here a few
ears back, his wife whom he loved
md respected, and Who vii alvays
= enshflnsd In the hearts u All
Who knew her since her death, Chief
linton has not been In good health,
nd although he stayed On the job a.
,ng a. hls undylnf splTlt could maks
IL falling body 80, 10 lost much of
ons ~ he ls,l thing, Chief chm.
nn aid before he leok - hls bed
ss lhIal
N ...l A. H.. ia ~ mara .uIn.