The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-10-11
KENTUCKY BLOOD.
General Casslus NJ. Clay Kills a Negro.

RICHMOND, Ky, October L. Hon. Cas-
sius M. Clay, formerly Minister to Russia
under President Lincoln's Administra
ton, yesterday shot and killed negro
man, Perry White. The affair occurred at
ten O'clock in the morning, on tho farm
of Gen. Clay, six miles from this place.
General Clay has had in his employ as
cook, for some time negro woman, the
mother of Perry White. A few days ago
he discovered that she had been robbiDg
him of his silver plate, his table service
and other articles, and he discharged her
Being very violent woman, she swore
vengeance against her employer. Pre-
vious to this Perry had also been ordered
from the place, being known in the neigh
borhood as negro who lived by stealing,
who had frequently been implicated in
robberies, and was otherwise notorious
as bold, daring man and desperate ne
gro. The negro on his own account, and
to avenge his mother, had resolved to kill
Clay, and letter written by White, con-
tanning threat to carry out his murder.
GUS purpose, was shown to Clay. The latter
has anticipated trouble with the negro,
and for ten days past when be went out
on his farm he carried his pistol.
This morning General Clay mounted
his horse, with a small white boy behind
him, and started to negro church in the
neighborhood, where he intended to hire
cook in place ofthe one discharged. He
had proceeded but a short distance from
his house when he saw loose horse in
pasture near the roadside, Just as he was
passing, the little boy remarked There
is Perry White" looking in the direction
ofthe horse, which had neither bride or
saddle on. Clay saw the negro in the act
of hiding or dodging behind the animal.
Knowing White had no business there,
and believing that he had come for some
bad purpose while all the other darkies
were at church, and at once supposing that
the negro intended to make an attack up. |
on him from the cover, Clay leaped down,
and passing Immediately in front of the |
horse confronted the negro and ordered
him to throw up his hands. The negro
obeyed, sinking to the ground, Clay then
talked to him roughly, ordering him from
the place and telling him if he moved
from his position until he (Clayl got on
his horse he would kill him.
Clay then turned and started to his
horse, when the negro rose suddenly and
made at Clay, at which time the latter
drew his pistol and fred twice. Both balls
took effect, one in the neck and the other
IN the breast, and the negro fell dead.
General Clay Immediately rode to town
md gave himself into the hands of an
,fficer ofthe law, and he is now in Custo.
ly awaiting an examination trial, which
will take place tomorrow morning.
The feeling ofthe community is entirely
With General Clay, who is one of the most
Iuiet and peaceably- disposed men in the
ountry, while the negro was known as
tout bully, and an exceedingly bold and
nd dangerous man.
LOUISVILLE, KY, October Ia tele
ram to the Courier Journal from Rich.
nond, KY, speaking of the killing of
'erry White by Hon. Cassius M. Clay.
Jrmerly U. S. Minister to Russia, gives !
he following verdict of the Coroner's jury:
Perry White came to his death by a pri. !
ate shot wound inflicted by G. M. Clay,
n Sunday, September 80, 1877. Testimo-
y being given under oath by G. M. Clay.
Q being the only witness we are con- a
,rained to justify said Clay and believe J
nat he did it in self defence.