initiative of James Clark, and it was properly named in his honor. James Clark was commissioned by President Andrew Jackson to supply food to the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes of Indians while they were being transferred to the reservation allotted them, and while carrying out this commission he established old Jonesboro on the south side of the Red River in Red River County. That locality was considered a part of Arkansas for some years, and James Clark represented his section in the Arkansas Legislature between 1827 and 1832. He built the first house in Clarksville, in 1833. He was one of the pioneers whose memory is deeply cherished in Northeast Texas.

James Clark married [Isabella Hadden Hopkins Hanks] the widow of John Hanks who was very probably a brother to the mother of Abraham Lincoln. The death of James Clark occurred in 1838, and about two years later his widow [photo] married Dr. George Gordon. She had a prominent part in promoting the cause of the independence of Texas. She entertained Gen. Sam Houston, who stayed at her house for about three weeks, and she also gave valuable counsel to David Crockett when the latter crossed the Red River on coming to Texas.

Capt. Jim Clark [photo], father of Pat B. Clark [the author], was also a notable pioneer of Texas. He was a fighter in the Indian wars, and he and his brother,