The organization thus becoming complete, the “San Francisco City Guard” sailed bravely forth to buffet and battle with the vast unknown.
“Like a stately ship,
With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,
Sails filled and streamers waving.”
The original company commander is described as being neither light nor very dark complexioned, but with black hair, 5 feet 6 inches in height, weighing in the neighborhood of 115 to 120 pounds—a small man. He was full of life, however, quick-witted, and a noble-hearted fellow. His father, Aran Clark, was at one time mayor of New York city. Coming to California, Capt. Clark was for a long time deputy county recorder of San Francisco. He died on November 22, 1877, at the age of 53 years, while in the employ of the treasurer’s department at Washington.
Armory Hall, the first home of the “San Francisco City Guard,” was situated on the northeast corner of Sacramento and Montgomery streets, in Sam Brannan’s new building, having a frontage of 60 feet on both thoroughfares. Four other companies also occupied this building, each having separate company rooms in the third story, with the use of the drill hall on the fourth for its allotted evening of the week.
Nothing that was particularly startling occurred during the balance of this, to the “City Guard,” the most eventful year of 1854, nor during the next for that matter, to mar the calm serenity of ordinary military life. Drills, parades, outings, banquets, and social events vied with each other to fill the interim; all of which served to interest, not only the members themselves, but others as well, in the welfare of this organization. Many prominent men joined the ranks of the “City Guard,” and the high standing thus early attained served to place the company on a firm and permanent basis, assuring to it a long, prosperous, and most honorable existence.
To chronicle all the different incidents and happenings of this early period, and those too of more recent dates, would be out of the question at this present writing; prominent among them, however, we find the following interesting items:
It was on the afternoon of the 3d of July, 1854, that the “San Francisco City Guard” journeyed by water to the town of Martinez for its initial excursion and outing, and, after celebrating the Fourth by a parade, drill, and prize shoot, the corps returned homeward, being received and escorted to the armory by the California Guard.
The 17th day of August following, found the company on the Oakland side of the bay for the regular target practice and medal shoot. It was upon this occasion that the company commander presented the now famous “Clark Medal” to the corps, the conditions being that it remain a permanent annual prize in the company. This medal is still the valued property of the “City Guard,” and is placed in competition as provided for in the original deed of gift. On one side of the large quartz medal is inscribed: “‘City Guard,’organized March 31, 1854,” and on the reverse side we have “Company medal, presented by Capt. John A. Clark, August, 1854.”