John Clarke
Contents
Background
John Clarke was from the United States of America.
Goldfields Involvement, 1854
On 16 August 1854 the actions of John Clarke were offered as testimony to the lawless behaviour of the diggers, particularly Americans in the period leading to the building of the Eureka Stockade. On that day he drew a revolver while in the Albion Hotel, Eureka, hitting John Brown on the head.[1]
Post 1854 Experiences
Newsworthy
- John Clarke was indicted for the wilful murder of Cosman Behrends, on 16 August at Ballarat. The Solicitor-General opened the case, and called Joseph Hoare, barman at the Albion Hotel, Ballarat, deposed, that he did not remember seeing the prisoner at the bar, in the above hotel, on the 16th August. Peter Edwards, deposed, that he was in the parlor of the Albion Hotel, Eureka diggings. on the 10th of last August; the prisoner and six or seven other persons were also in the same room; the prisoner was playing cards along with witness and two others. Winkler and witness were playing against Brown and Clarke at a game called " Euka" (Euchre). in the second game Brown did not follow suit, and Winkler remonstrated about it; the prisoner had a Colt's revolver by his side, he took out this revolver, and passing it before Brown's face, proclaimed. "the first man that interferes with me, shall have this," he then challenged Brown to play for £1 ; Brown said that Clarke would not have a single game without having a row about it; he immediately jumped over the table towards Brown, saying, if he wanted a row he should have one; he then tapped Brown, with his hand on the breast, when Brown said his chest was as sound as Clarke's; Winkler observed that the man who could not play at cards without cheating was no man at all; the prisoner said, if you say that again, I'll slap your face; Winkler rose up and said, "will you?" when a pistol was immediately discharged: cannot say who discharged it, as he was behind the prisoner, ...[2]
See also
Further Reading
Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
References
External links
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Caption, Reference.
