Minor Clark Papers, 1935-1978 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Doris Geoghegan

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Collection Overview

Title: Minor Clark Papers, 1935-1978

Primary Creator: Clark, Minor (1913-1979)

Extent: 1.5 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 06/30/1980

Subjects: Fisheries., Natural resources.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Minor Clark Papers were donated to the Eastern Kentucky University Archives by Mrs. Ray Hardesty, the sister of Mr. Clark. Much of he collection was damaged extensively in the December, 1978 Frankfort, Kentucky flood, requiring fumigation.

The collection consists of four series: Correspondence, Financial, Miscellaneous and Memorabilia. Most of the material dates from Clark's tenure as Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for the state of Kentucky, and almost all touches upon some facet of his work in that department. Some exceptions are: a file of material relating to the work of the Water Pollution Board of which Clark was a member, and a rough draft of an outline of the management of fisheries for American occupied Japan; a project Clark worked on when he was attached to the staff of General Douglas MacArthur immediately after World War II.

Collection Historical Note

Minor Edward Clark was born at Waddy, Kentucky, Shelby County on August 5, 1913. He graduated from Waddy High School and from Eastern Kentucky State College in 1935 with a bachelor's degree, having majored in zoology and minored in chemistry. He was a graduate student at Western Kentucky State College and for two years was also a graduate student at University of Kentucky in Fisheries Research. He later attended Princeton University, the University of Arizona and one year of special fisheries and languages instruction in California.

Clark became the first graduate biologist with Kentucky Game and Fish Division in 1936 where he was in charge of biological stream surveys until 1940 when he was placed in charge of the Fisheries section of the Division.

Enlisting in the Navy in 1942, Clark was attached to General Douglas MacArthur's Headquarters Staff where he wrote the First General Plan for Fisheries Management during American occupation of postwar Japan.

He became Superintendent of Fisheries with the Division of Game and Fish in September, 1946, and while serving in that capacity was also made Assistant Director of the Division of Game and Fish.

When this Division was made the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in 1952, he became Assistant Commissioner and served in that capacity until June, 1958, when he became Acting Commissioner. He was appointed Commissioner in August of 1958, in which capacity he served until his retirement in July, 1971.

Clark was also President of the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners, and chairman of the Ohio River Sanitation and of the Kentucky Water Control Commission for seven years.

Minor Clark died in Frankfort on September 16, 1979. Mrs. Clark had died a few years previously. They had no children.

Subject/Index Terms

Fisheries.
Natural resources.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Hardesty, A. Ray, Mrs.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Folder 1: Oversize Materials],
[Tray 3: Artifact Box],
[All]

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014051112

Folder 1: Financial Records, Sep 1958-Jun 1962: Monthly financial statements of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, along with occasional budget and audit reports, etc.
Folder 2: Financial Records, Jul 1962-Jun 1967: Monthly financial statements of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, along with occasional budget and audit reports, etc.
Folder 3: Financial Records, Jul 1967-Jun 1969: Monthly financial statements of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, along with occasional budget and audit reports, etc.
Folder 4: Financial Records, Jul 1969-Mar 1971: Monthly financial statements of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, along with occasional budget and audit reports, etc.
Folder 5: Financial Records, Aug 1958-Jun 1965: Monthly pay records of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Folder 6: Financial Records, Jul 1965-Mar 1971: Monthly pay records of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Box 2

Barcode: 31234014051104

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1949-1963

Prominent correspondents have been listed separately; others are available, but not itemized.

Item 1: Alben Barkley to Minor Clark, 18-Mar-49
Item 2: Earle Clements to Minor Clark, Feb-62
Item 3: Earle Clements to Minor Clark, 4-Apr-62
Item 4: John Sherman Cooper to Minor Clark, 3-Nov-58
Item 5: Keen Johnson to Minor Clark, 28-Jun-63
Item 6: Stewart Udall to Minor Clark, 11-Jun-62
Item 7: Henry Lee Waterfield to Minor Clark, 6-Aug-58
Item 8: John C. Watts to Minor Clark, 12-Jun-62
Item 9: John C. Watts to Minor Clark, 19-Nov-63

Folder 2: Correspondence, 1964-1969

Prominent correspondents have been listed separately; others are available, but not itemized.

Item 1: Edward Breathitt to Minor Clark, 27-Nov-67
Item 2: Tim Lee Carter to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70
Item 3: Tim Lee Carter to Minor Clark, 4-Dec-70
Item 4: Earle Clements to Minor Clark, 6-Jan-69
Item 5: Earle Clements to Minor Clark, 2-Dec-69
Item 6: Earle Clements to Minor Clark, 8-Dec-69
Item 7: Marlow Cook to Minor Clark, 23-Mar-67
Item 8: John Sherman Cooper to Minor Clark, 6-Jun-66
Item 9: Gaylord Nelson to Minor Clark, 13-Sep-63
Item 10: Lawrence A. O'Brien to Minor Clark, 28-Sep-65
Item 11: Lawrence A. O'Brien to Minor Clark, 28-Sep-65
Item 12: Lawrence A. O'Brien to Minor Clark, 29-Sep-65
Item 13: Katherine Peden to Minor Clark, 8-Dec-67
Item 14: Katherine Peden to Minor Clark, 3-Aug-68
Item 15: James A. Rhodes to Minor Clark, 29-Sep-66
Item 16: Nelson Rockefeller to Minor Clark, 27-Sep-66
Item 17: Henry Ward to Minor Clark, 27-Feb-67
Item 18: Henry Ward to Minor Clark, 23-Mar-67
Item 19: Henry Ward to Minor Clark, 9-May-67
Item 20: John C. Watts to Minor Clark, 6-Aug-69

Folder 3: Correspondence, 1970

Prominent correspondents have been listed separately; others are available, but not itemized.

Item 1: John B. Breckinridge to Minor Clark, 21-Feb-70
Item 2: John B. Breckinridge to Minor Clark, 2-Mar-70
Item 3: John B. Breckinridge to Minor Clark, 2-Jul-70
Item 4: John B. Breckinridge to Minor Clark, 13-Aug-70
Item 5: Bert Combs to Minor Clark, 28-Oct-70
Item 6: Marlow Cook to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70
Item 7: John Sherman Cooper to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70
Item 8: John Sherman Cooper to Minor Clark, 9-Dec-70
Item 9: William Natcher to Minor Clark, 2-Mar-70
Item 10: William Natcher to Minor Clark, 18-Mar-70
Item 11: William Natcher to Minor Clark, 23-Mar-70
Item 12: William Natcher to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70
Item 13: Carl D. Perkins to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70
Item 14: Gene Snyder to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70
Item 15: Frank A. Stubblefield to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70
Item 16: John C. Watts to Minor Clark, 19-Aug-70

Folder 4: Correspondence, 1971-1978

Prominent correspondents have been listed separately; others are available, but not itemized.

Item 1: John Sherman Cooper to Minor Clark, 28-Jun-71
Item 2: Thruston B. Morton to Minor Clark, 27-Jan-71
Item 3: William Natcher to Minor Clark, 28-Jun-71
Item 4: Carl D. Perkins to Minor Clark, 28-Jun-71
Item 5: Carl D. Perkins to Minor Clark, 6-Jul-71
Item 6: Henry Lee Waterfield to Minor Clark, 28-May-71
Item 7: John C. Watts to Minor Clark, 28-Jun-71
Item 8: John C. Watts to Minor Clark, 2-Jul-71

Folder 5: Correspondence, 1958 (B-L)

Congratulatory letters received by Minor Clark as a result of his being named commissioner of Fish and Wildlife Resources August 1958. These are arranged alphabetically.

Item 1: J. D. Coates to Minor Clark, 29-Aug-58

Folder 6: Correspondence, 1958 (M-W)

Congratulatory letters received by Minor Clark as a result of his being named commissioner of Fish and Wildlife Resources August 1958. These are arranged alphabetically.

Folder 7: Correspondence, c. 1945

Draft of the outline drawn up by Clark for management of the fisheries of occupied Japan in 1945.

Folder 8: Correspondence, 1957

Report on the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources by the Wildlife Management Institute.

Folder 9: Correspondence, c. 1962-1964

Materials concerning public works projects in Kentucky.

Folder 10: Correspondence, 1970-1971

Information provided Clark as part of his work on the Kentucky Water Pollution Control Commission.

Box 3

Barcode: 31234014051054

Folder 1: Publications

Several issues of Happy Hunting Ground and various other items.

Folder 2: Photographs

Item 1: Dedication of the Clark Administrative Building at Camp E. Wallace in 1960., 1960 Aug 12: Pictured are (front, r-l) Billy Bell, Jack Lynn, Mrs. Clark, Dell Goodwin, Minor Clark, Ed Oldham; (back, l-r) Judge Mullins, Curtis Brown, Elmer Davis; Dimensions: 8x10
Item 2: Minor Clark's house at 411 Wapping St, Frankfort, KY: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 3: Minor Clark holding a fish, 1950 Mar: Creator: Herald Leader; Dimensions: 8x9
Item 4: Bill Hazellrigg, Joe Leary, and Minor Clark: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 5: Minor Clark, Bert Combs, Stuart Udall and unidentified man: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 6: Minor Clark, Bert Combs, and Stuart Udall at a meeting: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 7: Kentucky Delegation and Congress in Washington, D.C.: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 8: Minor Clark being interviewed by Joe Bauer for "World Tomorrow: Creator: Tam, Karen; Dimensions: 8x10
Item 9: Minor Clark speaking at the Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, KY: Creator: Skipworth, Burnis; Dimensions: 8x10
Item 10: Minor Clark, J.T. Cox, Don Hays, Ed Adams, Harry Towles with Fort Hill in the background: Dimensions: 7x9
Item 11: Unidentified group that includes Bert Combs, Minor Clark, and Thelma Stovall: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 12: Unidentified group that includes Bert Combs, Minor Clark, and Wendell Ford: Creator: Brohman, Bert; Dimensions: 8x10
Item 13: Minor Clark, Dr. Robert C. Webb and 2 unidentified men at Camp Robert C. Webb: Dimensions: 5x7
Item 14: Flagpole Dedication at Camp Robert C. Webb with Minor Clark: Dimensions: 5x7
Item 15: Minor Clark and unidentified man holding a fish: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 16: Minor Clark and unidentified man eating at an office: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 17: Minor Clark holding a fish: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 18: Unidentified men at a dinner: Creator: Kirst, Paul J.; Dimensions: 8x10
Item 19: Frank Stubblefield, autographed: Creator: Harris & Ewing; Dimensions: 8.25x10
Item 20: Stuart Udall, Sec. of Interior under Presidents John Kennedy and L.B. Johnson: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 21: Gene Snyder, autographed: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 22: John C. Watts, autographed: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 23: Ben East, autographed: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 24: Marlow W. Cook, United States Senate, autographed: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 25: William H. Natcher, autographed, 1969 Oct 7: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 26: Tim Lee Carter and Minor Clark at the Kentucky state capitol, (signed by Tim Lee Carter): Dimensions: 8x10
Item 27: Carl Perkins, autographed: Creator: Harris & Ewing; Dimensions: 8x10
Item 28: John Sherman Cooper, autographed, 1969 Sep 30: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 29: Bill Sawyer, autographed: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 30: View of proposed hatchery. Cumberland River in foreground, Highland Rim in the background.: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 31: Mountain stream: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 32: View of proposed hatchery site. Earth fill of Wolf Creek Dam in the background.: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 33: View of proposed hatchery site. Earth fill of Wolf Creek Dam in the background.: Dimensions: 8x10
Item 34: Doe Run: Dimensions: 8x10

Folder 3: News Clippings

News clippings pertaining to Clark's career and the Department of Fish Wildlife Resources.

Folder 4: News Clippings

News clippings pertaining to Clark's career and the Department of Fish Wildlife Resources.

Folder 5: Certificates

Certificates and awards received by Clark;

Item 1: Diploma from Princeton University Naval School of Military Gov't.
Item 2: Minor Clark named a collaborator of the Fundacion Argentine - "CAPECON"
Item 3: Diploma from Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College
Item 4: Diploma - Minor Clark awarded Doctor of Fishing degree from Jefferson County College
Item 5: Award of Merit from Department of Conservation
Item 6: Minor Clark named legal assistant on Advisory Commission on Wild Rivers
Item 7: Award of Merit for Exceptional Leadership and Service
Item 8: Minor Clark named an honorary citizen of Hazard, KY
Item 9: Minor Clark named member of Honorary Society of Kentucky Mountain Men
Item 10: Pin Worn at dedication of Barkley Lock and Dam Project

Folder 6: Plaques, 1962-1972

Item 1: Man of Service Award, 8 x 8 inches, 1962
Item 2: Conservationist of the Year, 11 x 8 inches, 1972
Item 3: In Appreciation from League of Kentucky Sportsmen, 16" x 12"
Item 4: In Appreciation from Anderson County Sportsmen, 16" x 20"

Folder 1: Oversize Materials

Barcode: 31234014052789

Folder 1: Oversize Photographs

Item 35: Lyndon Johnson (signed): Dimensions: 14x11
Item 36: Ned Breathitt (signed): Dimensions: 14x11
Item 37: Minor and Mrs. Clark: Dimensions: 14x11
Item 38: Albert B. Chandler (signed): Dimensions: 14x11
Item 39: Albert B. Chandler: Dimensions: 14x11
Item 40: Clark taking the oath as Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources: Dimensions: 14x11
Item 41: Bert Combs, W. Butler, Ed Adams, and Minor Clark: Dimensions: 14x11
Item 42: Earle Clements (signed): Dimensions: 14x11
Item 43: Bert Combs (signed): Dimensions: 14x11
Item 44: Louie B. Nunn: Dimensions: 19x23
Item 45: Lawrence Wetherby: Dimensions: 14x11
Item 46: Minor Clark, Frank Phepps, Earl Wallace: Dimensions: 16x12
Item 47: Minor Clark and Commissioners: Dimensions: 20x16

Folder 2: Certificates

Item 1: Minor Clark commissioned a member of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, Nov. 25, 1958
Item 2: Minor Clark appointed Honorary Colonel in KY State Police, Dec. 2, 1959
Item 3: Minor Clark proclaimed a member of Jefferson County Park Pioneers, Oct. 27, 1964
Item 4: Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to Farm Incentive Program, Feb. 8, 1967
Item 5: Minor Clark Commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel, Oct. 4, 1955

Folder 3: Chart of Dams, Lakes, and Building Construction, ca. 1950-1955

19 x 19 inches.

Tray 3: Artifact Box

Barcode: 31234014052771

Item 1: Lyndon B. Johnson Pen
Item 2: Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement, 4 x 5 inches, 1963

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Folder 1: Oversize Materials],
[Tray 3: Artifact Box],
[All]