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Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: May 17, 1937
Name: Margaret Silina Clark
Post Office: 314 North 11 St., Durant, Oklahoma
Date of Birth: April 17, 1861
Place of Birth: Perry County, Alabama
Field Worker: Lula Austin
Interview #5794
Born in Perry County, Alabama, April 17, 1861. Came with parents to Indian Territory in 1878. Was married to William A. Clark, M.D., who came to Indian Territory from Georgia in 1879. Four children were born, two now living, Mrs. Cisero McAlester, Durant, and Asberry Bates Clark, Durant.
Coming to Durant from Armstrong Academy, Choctaw Nation, in 1881, Dr. Clark was the first practicing physician in Durant. He and Dr. Stacks witnessed the hanging of Silas Peters, age 22, in 1881, the only Choctaw ever hung in his own country. The crime was horsetheft, on second conviction.
Dr. Clark operated a general merchandise store and lumber yard, along with his medical profession. He was one of the leaders in Durant, worked to get the K.O. & G., and the Frisco Railroad through Durant. He lived in a log house where the Webb Hotel now stands.
Reverend Moses Clark, his father, organized the First Baptist Church in Durant and was the first pastor. The church was organized with a called meeting under Lee Gray's hay shed where Hale Halsell Wholesale Grocery now stands.
Dr. Clark has been dead several years. His widow lives with her daughter, Mrs. Ciscero McAlester.
Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Loll Crane <coolbreze@cybertrails.com> April 2002.
Page updated:
State Coordinator: Linda K. Lewis
Asst State Coordinator: Rebecca Maloney
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