Ben R. Clark
Written by Claire Hildman, Phoenix, Arizona
Pioneer, cattleman, peace officer and politician; well known during the transition period of Arizona from before statehood. Born in North Carolina and reared in Mississippi, he came to Arizona in the early 80’s when quite young; knew personally Wyatt Earp when marshall at Tombstone in the “Helldorado” days. His life was filled with vivid experiences; often rode with posse to track down and shoot marauding Indians. He was in the party that took part in the military drive which resulted in negotiations from Geronimo’s surrender, and among those who piled up the stones which now mark the site in Skeleton Valley Canyon, not far from the S. E. corner of Cochise Co. He wrote a number of historical stories, some of these centering around the famous outlaw “Black Jack”, with whom he had his first brush in Graham Co. Was peace office in Cochise, Co.; sheriff of Graham Co., and peace officer in Phoenix for many years. Was Secretary of State Livestock and Sanitary Bd., at his death, July 1934, flag at State Capitol was lowered to half mast.
Newspaper Clippings (Pioneers) State Library
Pioneer, cattleman, peace officer and politician; well known during the transition period of Arizona from before statehood. Born in North Carolina and reared in Mississippi, he came to Arizona in the early 80’s when quite young; knew personally Wyatt Earp when marshall at Tombstone in the “Helldorado” days. His life was filled with vivid experiences; often rode with posse to track down and shoot marauding Indians. He was in the party that took part in the military drive which resulted in negotiations from Geronimo’s surrender, and among those who piled up the stones which now mark the site in Skeleton Valley Canyon, not far from the S. E. corner of Cochise Co. He wrote a number of historical stories, some of these centering around the famous outlaw “Black Jack”, with whom he had his first brush in Graham Co. Was peace office in Cochise, Co.; sheriff of Graham Co., and peace officer in Phoenix for many years. Was Secretary of State Livestock and Sanitary Bd., at his death, July 1934, flag at State Capitol was lowered to half mast.
Newspaper Clippings (Pioneers) State Library