The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-19
Examination of Munscll for nm Attempt 10
murder Clark.


! Th,, following is summary of the facts touch
ing the attempt to murder james Clark, on Tues
day, the 9Th instant as taken at the examination
before Esquircs LINK and F,Tcu.
"Clark occupies farm, about eight miles from
Ottawa, Oh the road to Indian Creek the fee of
which is in WE S, Lavinia, Of this place. Clark
holds the premises under lease from Layinia, of
seven years, which has several years to rum has
been in possession about three years, and made
considerable improvements Lavinia receiving, as
rent, one half the products Of the farm, he (L.)
finding seed, implements OF husbandry, &c.
"Lavinia, some time last winter, became snx.
ious, for some reason to rout Clark from the pre-
misses: and for the purpose Of eccting it, instiga-
ted the two men who have been committed with
him for the attempt on Cark's life, Timothy Man
| sell and John East, who live near Carks place.
to series of outrages against Clark, his family
| and his property Hc commenced, by causing
fraudulent judgment to be entered against himself
before Justice Of the Peace, procured an ndvid-
ual to Swear out immediate execution against him
Clark's place. to levy on the property there. This
was accordingly done; the officer proceeding to
Clark's place. broke into his house with the assis-
lance of Munse East, and others, and levied
upon all, or nearly all the property he could find
there. The same thing was substantially repeat
ed soon afterwards, by another execution, similar
y obtained. These measures failing TO effect the
object, Lavinia next instigated Munscll to make
a complaint against Chyh andh;swhoh .tamiIy, for
larceny, and have them taken before Esquire
Sutphin, and, that during their absence, East
should break up their house, all ofwhich was DONE
However, Clark repaired and rc-cntcrcd his
house, and showed disposition to remain there.
| Mnnsei and East then ploughcd his farm, though
forbidden by Clark: repaired his barn and COM
menced thrashing his grain. Clark being about
to seek legal redress, it is supposed means were
adopted to prevent him, by taking more decisive
measures. Accordingly, Munsc and East
paired TO Clark's barn. each with fire arms, well
loaded; upon the approach of Clark, Munsell drew
up his rifle, with menace Of shooting at Clark,
but, upon the rcmonstrancc of a Mr.. Scott, friend
Of Carks, who was standing by he lowered bis
rifle, set it by took up piece of chain about three
Scott, then struck Clark twice again with the
chain-thc last time bringing him to the grounds
he then directed his son, lad about fourteen
years of age, to hand him his rifle: drew it up
Jol, al, "a, g.
eight feet, while he was lying upon the ground:
the ball passed through the left arm, entered the
! side, and has not yet been extracted.
"Clark's situation is critical and doubtful East
was standing near at the time, and after Clark was
shot, and while his family and Scott were bearing
him to the house. drew up his gun and snapped
il three times, with the intention of dischargng it
at those who were bearing away Clark: as he af-
forwards declared that 'if it had gone of at that
time, he would hive killed the whole of them'
He also said afterwards to a neighbour that "Mun-
sell had shot Clark through his arm" he "wished
TO God it had been his heart"
cater the act had been done, Munsell came to
town, consulted with Lavinia, and procured
States warrant to be issued tor The arrest Of CAak
News of the above tragic event arriving in town
however, few minutes after the officer received
theproccss, he instantly seized Munse and placed
him in custody East and Lavinia were arrested
soon after After the arrest of the defendants,
l.avinia and Munsell cndeavorcd to procure one
OF the witnesses to swear that Munsell took his
gun down there to shoot deer, &c.
"Ihe counsel for the defendants, cnaeavored
to prove that the guns were taken to Clarks harm,
for different purpose fron that for which one OF
them was used: and il may not be improper to add