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Former
Congressman Jamie Clarke's children unveiled a marker that will
be placed on Salt Rock in Panthertown Valley to indicate the area's
designation as the Elspeth and James McClure Clarke National Forest.
Jamie Clarke, who died in 1999, and his wife, Elspie, who died
in 2001, were known for their environmental stewardship, and Jamie
Clarke worked tirelessly during his tenure in Congress to secure
public ownership of the geologically-unique Panthertown Valley.
The Clarkes' children, from left, are Jim, Doug and Billy Clarke,
Susie Hamilton, Dumont Clarke and Annie Ager. Grandson Wills Clarke
is seated next to his father. - Herald photo by Lynn Hotaling
By Lynn Hotaling
"My parents are here in spirit - and in progeny," Charlotte
attorney and Mecklenburg County Commissioner Dumont Clarke said
Friday during a brief ceremony that renamed a portion of the Nantahala
National Forest in honor of his late parents, Jamie and Elspie
Clarke.
About 100 guests - many of them the Clarkes' children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren - gathered on Salt Rock overlooking Panthertown
Valley Friday (Sept. 26) to dedicate the area that is often called
the "Yosemite of the East" as the Elspeth and James
McClure Clarke National Forest.
"It's very appropriate that this valley be designated the
Jamie and Elspie Clarke Forest," said Winston-Salem attorney
Mike Leonard, board member of several environmental groups. "Jamie
once told me that of all the things he did, he was proudest of
the beautiful places like Panthertown that we managed to get into
the national forest."
Eleventh District Congressman Charles Taylor sponsored
the legislation that renamed the valley in honor of his late rival.
Jamie Clarke, a Democrat, served in Congress for three terms,
defeating Taylor in 1988 and then losing the 11th District seat
to the Brevard Republican in 1990.
Richard Faulkner of Taylor's staff represented the congressman
during Friday's ceremony.
"It's a privilege to be here," Faulkner said. "I
remember when Mimi Cecil (a former member of Clarke's staff) asked
Charles about (naming this area for the Clarkes). He loved the
idea, and he did it."
U.S. Forest Service Supervisor John Ramey said the group had gathered
in "a beautiful place on a beautiful day to recognize two
outstanding people.
"Panthertown Valley came into public ownership largely through
the efforts of Congressman Clarke," Ramey said. "This
recognition of the area known as Panthertown Valley is a small
way to ensure that though (the Clarkes) will be missed, they won't
be forgotten."
Asheville attorney Billy Clarke told of the many hikes his parents
had led to Salt Rock from the family's property at Rock Bridge.
"Sometimes I thought we'd never get there, and sometimes
we never did," he said. "That was true of a lot of hikes
we took, and it taught us that the journey itself was important.
"I don't know if there was a grand plan for Panthertown,
but through perseverance we got where we are today," Billy
Clarke said.
Jamie and Elspie Clarkes' six children - Jim, Dumont, Billy and
Doug Clarke, Annie Ager and Susie Hamilton - unveiled a plaque
that will be attached to Salt Rock.
"Elspeth and James McClure Clarke National Forest: For their
commitment to the protection and preservation of public lands
in North Carolina," reads the marker.
Panthertown is a unique geological area with a remarkably flat
valley floor flanked by the high granite cliffs of Salt Rock,
Black Rock Mountain, Little Green Mountain and Big Green Mountain.
The creeks and streams feature waterfalls, and the valley contains
rare, high-altitude bogs that stain the stream waters, which are
the headwaters of the Tuckaseigee River's East Fork, dark with
tannin.
The newly-designated Clarke Forest is not accessible to vehicle
traffic. Visitors may access the area from either N.C. 107 in
Glenville or U.S. 64 near Sapphire Valley via Cedar Creek Road
and then walk in from the parking area.
Jamie Clarke was first elected to Congress in 1982. He lost to
Bill Hendon in 1984, and then won consecutive terms in 1986 and
1988.
Prior to his election to Congress, he served in the N.C. Senate
from 1981-82 and in the N.C. House of Representatives from 1977-80.
He was a naval officer in the Pacific during World War II and
served as a senior editor for The Asheville Citizen-Times from
1961-69. He was born in Manchester, Vt., in 1917.
Elspie Clarke, an Asheville native, was the daughter of education
leader James G.K. McClure. She also was a naval officer during
World War II and was a life member of the Environmental Defense
Fund.
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