Valley of Fire State Park Ranger Stephen Santee examines pieces of cement that were once the arms of a large white cross on top of the Clark Memorial. Photo by Mike Donahue.

By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

A historical landmark in Valley of Fire State Park honoring Civil War veteran John G. Clark was severely damaged by vandals early last week, according to park officials.

The large white brick and cement memorial on Valley of Fire Highway is believed to have first been erected in the 1950s to mark the final resting spot for Clark, July 6, 1843 – June 26, 1915, said Stephen Santee, park ranger III. Vandals smashed a large concrete cross that adorned the top of the memorial Sunday night, July 25, or early Monday morning, July 26.

The 9-foot memorial stands on a small hill over one of the largest washes in the park approximately 3½ miles east of the Valley of Fire Visitors Center. Santee said those who did the damage went to a lot of effort.

“Whoever did this had to walk nearly 150 feet in the dark off the highway to reach the memorial and then climb up on it to pound the cross with rocks,” the ranger said. “My best guess is that they then stood on top and finished it off by kicking it.”

The horizontal cement arms of the cross were broken off and left in pieces around the base. The metal structure around which the arms had been formed were then bent and twisted.

“The real shame is that it’s so dry its proving a little difficult to collect evidence,” Santee said.

A nearby plaque explains that Clark was a Canadian who was wounded during the Civil War while serving with Company B of the New York Calvary. After being discharged Clark immigrated to Southern California.

One day while traveling from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City by buckboard, the 72-year-old Clark stopped, unhitched his horse and tied it to the back of his wagon. He apparently wandered around the area, possibly seeking water.

He eventually crawled under his wagon where he died. His body lay undiscovered for several days until June 30, 1915. He was reportedly buried on the spot, which was memorialized with the monument decades later.

The exact cause of Clark’s death is unknown. The belief by some that he may have died of thirst is disputed by others who say the Civil War veteran was familiar with the area and would have known that perpetual Charlie Spring is just 2½ miles down the wash and the Virgin and Muddy river confluence is only a few miles east.

It’s very possible that the 72-year-old John G. Clark died of heat stroke or heart attack.

Valley of Fire rangers are seeking the public’s help in finding those responsible for the vandalism and ask that anyone who may have knowledge of the event to please contact them at the Visitors Center or by phone at 702-397-2088.