The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-12-04
Massacre Of Citizens in Arkansas by
Clayton's Militia.
From the Memphis Annaal. 90. %


From the Memphis Appeal, Nov. 90.
The absurd proclamation Of martial law
by the so-called Governor of Arkansas
could hardly have other result than rapiue
and bloodshed. The Washington lark.
Telegraph, of the 18th inst, comes to US
with an account Of one of the most shock
ing occurrences of these troublesome times,
which We have not space to reproduce en-
tire this morning.
1t appears that on Wednesday, the 10th
inst, band of between two and three hun
dred men entered the little town of Center
Point, in Sewer county, about twenty eight
miles from Washington, and took posses
sion of the place. Taken by surprise, the
citizens were entirely defenseless, and were
marshalled en- naasse in an open field, where
they were kept until four o'clock in the az
ternOoD, not knowing by what authority or
for what reason they we're arrested. In the
meantime the town vas ransacked and
pundered by the armed Wretches calling
| themselves Clayton's militia. Of everything
| of value, and whatever they could not carry
away they destroyed. Finally. one Capt.
Reeves addressed the captive citizens in
the following strain, as reported by the
Telegraph:
''Gov. Clayton had declared martial law
in Sewer county. They were there to er.
force his proc 'amation. 1t was only the
initiation of what would occur. His men
were enraged. 1t was with great difficulty
he could restrain them. They wanted to
KILL TEN OR TWELVE MEN anyhow. They
want to HANG some OF you fellows. We
are coming back here again. perhaps to.
! morrow" etc.
The darkest part of this monstrous out
rage remains to be told. Next day num-
sbsEaf citizens from the adjoining country,
it reported that jayhawkers had
descent upon Center Point, came
f4ltowD, some of them armed. A meet
ing was held, and it was agreed, in view of
the authority under which the raiders had
pretended 10 be acting, to appoint commit
tees to visit Murfreesboro and Washington
to confer with Clayton and the military au-
thorities. While they were still in consul
tation the horde of thieves and assassins
again suddenly entered the town and com
menced an indisoriminate onslaught. shoot
ing down number and making prisoners
OF those who were not fortunate enough to
escape. They afterwards selected three
citizens, from the oldest and most respecta-
BILE, led them out and murdered them in
cold blood. The Telegraph thus concludes
| If q
Clayton's bloodthirsty brutality:
"Three other citizens of Sewer county,
Ark, noted for their responsibility and
standing in the community, strong and IN
wavering advocates of peace, law and or
der; respected for their age and esteemed
for their virtues, Hester, Anderson and
Gilbert by name, living under govern
ment declared by Congress to be repubi-
can in form, were led out to the scene of
slaughter and shot down like dogs, by men
acting under instructions from tie Execu-
tive of the State. There we're also some
six or eight citizens wounded, but how ma
ny of the militia were killed and wounded
we were unable to ascertain. The militia
are still in possession of Center Point. and
have all approaches TO the town guarded.
They permit persons to enter the place but
will not permit them to pass out. The ci;.
liens had all dispersed except those whom
they still hold as prison ers."
Blood will have Blood and the VEN
geance of an outraged people will vet fall
upon and crush the miserable wretch who
thus prepares banquet of slaughter and
plumber for his murderous minions.