JAMES F. CLARK

by

Isabel Morse Maresh

The following news items are about a father and son, found by Isabel Morse Maresh in The Republican Journal newspapers, searching via microfilm at the Belfast, Maine Library.

In The Republican Journal - 27 Dec. 1877: "The barn of James Clark, who lives in the westerly part of Northport, was burned on Sunday night, together with the hay and one hundred empty barrels which had been manufactured for the market. The livestock were saved. Mr. Clark thinks that the barn was fired by a tramp. Quite recently, Mr. C. had an encounter with one of the tribe whom he found on the haymow, evidently for the purpose of passing the night there. The tramp drew a knife, but was finally driven out with a pitch fork. The barn was insured for $300, but the loss is a great deal more than that sum."

"A COMPLICATED HORSE CASE. Some two years ago Charles Piper of Belfast, loaned to James Clark of Northport, an old horse, to be kept until called for. Clark swapped the horse off, and by numerous changings, Piper lost all reckoning of the animal, until last Monday, when in this city he beheld her afar off. She was harnessed to a wagon belonging to Leonard Harvey of Swanville. The claimant unharnessed the animal, took her in tow and drove off. As the shades of evening fell, Harvey, who had made his advent so gaily, was seen hauling his wagon out of town, while his wife trudged along on foot, toward Northport. Harvey says that one week ago he traded horses with Isaac Jackson of Northport, whither he went, claimed and took his original animal, and went home. He came to Belfast the next day, when Jackson obtaining a writ of replevin, sent deputy sheriff Norton to recover the horse, which he did. Norton now attempted to adjust matters according to the gospel of Samuel. He called upon Piper and with his usual persuasiveness induced him to give up the original animal, which was returned to Harvey. The case was thus brought back to the starting point, each one had his own animal, and was satisfied. With a smile, Samuel bade them all adieu and departed." [The Republican Journal - 23 Aug. 1877].

From The Republican Journal - 14 Oct. 1886: " ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING. James F. Clark, of Belmont, was accidentally shot on Saturday while on his return from Rockland, where he had been with a load of hay. Mr. Clark was sitting on a rope across the front of his hay rack, his coat hanging over the side. In the lower pocket of his coat was a thirty-two caliber revolver. The coat pocket struck on the wheel-tire and the revolver was discharged, the ball entering Mr. Clark's body between the ninth and tenth ribs, and penetrating the lung. The accident happened near Camden, but Mr. Clark drove home. Dr. W. W. Johnson, of Belfast, was summoned and rendered surgical aid. The wound is a bad one and may terminate fatally."

From The Republican Journal - 4 Nov. 1886: "DIED FROM HIS WOUND. Saturday, Oct. 8th, Mr. James F. Clark, of Belmont, was accidentally shot while on his way home from Rockland. A revolver was discharged in his coat pocket, the bullet passing in between the ninth and tenth ribs and lodging in the lung. On Friday last Mr. Clark died from the effects of the wound. He was fifty-seven years old and leaves a wife and a large family of children.:

The following is written in 'The History of The Twenty-Sixth Maine Regiment':

"JAMES F. CLARK, Private, Enlisted at the age of thirty-three years from Lincolnville, Maine; was sick in December, 1862, with rheumatism and was in the General Hospital at Baton Rouge; mustered out August 17, 1863, at Bangor. He married Miss Amelia M. Clark of Lincolnville; they have six girls and seven boys. He died October 28, 1866 in Belmont, Me."

"Clark, James F., [Died] In Belmont, Oct. 29, aged 59 years." Belfast Free Press - 2 Nov. 1886.

From the above newspaper: "Mr. James F. Clark, who was accidentally shot, by a pistol which he carried in his pocket, died on Friday of last week from the effects of the wound." - Will bequeath to wife, Amelia A. Clark and sons, Aubrey Clark and Hollis Clark. [ibid. 16 Nov. 1886]

He served as a Private in the Civil War, enlisting 10 Sept. 1862, mustered 11 Oct. 1862. He served 9 months, and left the service 17 Aug. 1863. He was a farmer, with sandy complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He was married. His residence was given as Lincolnville, ME. on his Civil War card at the Maine State Archives in Augusta, ME. He was thirty-three years old, and served in Co. G of the 26th Infantry. He was mustered in and out in Bangor, Me., and was honorably discharged.

The family records of James F. and Amelia A. Clark are found on page 207 of the Northport, Me. Family records. They were recorded 12 Jan. 1892 by F. A. Rhodes, Town Clerk.