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EL RENO, Okla., Aug. 1
Standing in front of a looking glass at his home in Fort Reno, Ben Clark, committed suicide by shooting himself. It was a difficult matter, for the old gentleman was almost paralyzed in his right arm. But slowly, surely and courageously he raised the pistol to his head and fired, the ball passing through his head. He fell to floor, death being instantaneous.
The body was laid to rest with military honors befitting a rank of a major general.
It seems that Mr. Clark had contemplated death for some time. Four days previous to the tragedy he wrote Captain Valentine, giving full directions in regard to his state.
The week before he died he was in El Reno and was as pleasant and gallant as usual to his many friends and admirers. For some time he had not been in his usual health, although he rode around the premises at Fort Reno to see that everything was in order only a few days before he passed away.
Ben Clark was about 72 years old and was born in Ohio and reared near Peoria, Ill. At an early age he came west and became a scout. He was the friend of such noted generals and army men as Sheridan, Miles, Scott, Crook and many others. He was known on the plains as "Red Neck", a name given him by the Indians. He was the favorite scout of General Phil Sheridan, who gave him all his particular work to be done in his line. Mr. Clark was kind, brave and almost reckless in the discharge of his duties. He is survived by three boys and four girls, Amos, Ben Jr., Nelson, Amelia, Mary, Hettie and Kney, his wife, "Moka," having died about a year ago.
At one time he served as interpreter at Fort Supply and was later transferred to Fort Reno, where he has been many years.
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