William A. Clark, father of Huguette — and the father of Las Vegas
history versial twosome: Just before Christmas, a Manhattan Surrogate Court suspended Bock and Kamsler as executors, after New York County Public Administrator Ethel Griffin accused them of “dishonesty, improvidence, waste and want of understanding,” as well as tax fraud. Griffin may also attempt a “clawback” of millions that Peri received prior to Huguette Clark’s death. Although the will itself is still tied up in probate, Griffin’s office is moving swiftly to liquidate the late dowager’s assets. An April auction was slated for Clark’s jewels, including Cartier diamonds worth millions apiece. They fetched $18 million, far more than expected. T h e man who sol d Las Vegas Huguette Clark and Las Vegas were born soon after one another, and had the same father: William A. Clark, arguably the gaudiest robber baron of the Gilded Age. Although he never lived here, Clark County took its name from Sen. Clark, who presid-
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ed over a mining empire headquartered in Butte, Montana. In order to deliver his minerals to Los Angeles, Clark and brother J. Ross laid track southward into Nevada. The Clarks finished their route through Jean and what would become Las Vegas by purchasing a half-interest in the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad.
The Clark brothers also formed the Las Vegas Land & Water Co. In 1905 it sold the 2,000 acres from which Las Vegas would spring that year. William A. Clark had originally bought the site as a maintenance yard and depot. When the Clarks put what is now downtown Vegas on the market, they intended to sell at fair prices — first come, first served. But the