AMAZING HISTORY
By Amy Dee Stephens
B.C. CLARK SR. WAS “RAISED POOR” ON A MISSISSIPPI COTTON FARM — BUT ADVENTURE CALLED HIM TO INDIAN TERRITORY, WHERE HE VALIANTLY HUSTLED HIS WAY FROM STRUGGLING PIONEER TO SUCCESSFUL JEWELER, EARNING HIMSELF THE PROMINENT ROLE AS
The Railroad Pocket Watch Inspector
A Rare Discovery In November 2023, local pocket watch enthusiast, Jim Hasburgh, visit- ed an antique store in Dallas. While digging through a box of junk parts, he discovered a railroad-grade Hamilton 992 from 1923 with the name of B.C. Clark printed on the watch face, likely a small run sold to his railway customers. Hasburgh recognized the jeweler’s name and knew it was a rare find, with only two others known to exist. Although the century-old watch was a boon to his personal collection, he decided that this crowned jewel really belonged to the Clark family. When Hasburgh visited the jewelry store to show the pocket watch to Jim, Coleman, and Mitchell Clark, they beamed with delight. With the Clarks’ blessing, Hasburgh restored the damaged watch, but he also hunted down an additional one, bringing the known total to four. With great joy, he surprised the Clarks with not one, but two B.C. Clark pocket watches! These pocket watches played an essential role in the early establishment and growth of the BC Clark company and legacy.
48 BC CLARK MAGAZINE
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