The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-08
sENATon IoNEs,s OPINION.
lie Discusses the Murder Of Col. clay
ton-An Appeal Go Common sense.

Ol N0l. WAY
ton-An Appeal 60 Common sense.
from the North American Review.
Since the assassination OF President Gar.
field no crime committed in this country
has caused more deep and widespread
feeling than the murder OF Col. John NJ.
Clayton, and nowhere has his crime been
40 strongly condemned and kccnly felt as
In Arkansas.
The entire press Of the State is tecming
with denunciations Of 1t, and each issue Of
every paper Is demanding the apprchon-
sion aud punishment Of the assassin. I'm.
medialcly upon the announcement Of the
terrible event town meetings were held,
amid the greatest excitement, in all parts
oithe STATE, andexprcssions OF ihcsirongcsl
condemnation Of the outrage, together with
the most vigorous demands for promp, and
effective action by the officers Of the law,
came up from every quarter.
The Governor Immediately offered the
largest reward for the apprehension Of the
criminal permissible under the law. and
the Legislature promptly passed an act
authorizing the offer OF an amount iiveiold
as large-the largest In fact, ever offered
by the State Tor the arrest OF any criminal,
and this has been supplemented by ro-
wafds offered by individuals and CONNER.
cial bodies.
The coroner assembled Jury at o
o'clock on the morning after the killing
aud made n careful examination OF tho
body, iis position, surroundings, and the
80. tracks about the window, making every
effort 10 follow up each ciow that might
lead o. detection. Witnesses were
sworn and examined, their evidence was
taken down. aud every effort made 10 find
the offenders and bring them TO Justice.
The dead body Oi Col. Clayton WIS, from
the flint hour IN the charge and keeping
Of his attending friend and lawyer. The
reported GOODNESS Of the people Of Plum.
mofyile toward his brother ON the next
day, WIS but the unwilliugness Of feeling
people to oblrudo themselves on the grief
oiastungcr Complaint has been made
that the Sheriff was not promptly on the
ground; but In these accusations no men
ton IL made Of the fact that his deputy
was there, aud that on the night Of tho
killing the Sheriff himself was some thirty
miles away from the scene Of the tragedy,
employed In the discharge Of public
duties, off the railroad, away from any tel
iNAi'f NHh AilhA ~ WIS AllIANHHlNlt lNl
him 10 know anything Of the murder un.
I'll a messenger could reach him on horse.
back.
FEnRETiNo OFT THE CRIME.
The State Attorney for the district went
personally 10 the locality, and has given
his counsel and aid 10 the Sheriff In the
investigation Of the crime. The Sheriff
has provided himself with every means
possible, and is doing all In his power 10
ferret ont the mystery and make known
the offenders. The details Of this work,
Of course, cannot be made public now
without cndangering success, but every.
thing possible has been and will continue
10 be done,
The Governor and other high State Of.
flcials. and citizens from oil parts Of the
State, sngly and In bodies. attended IN,
funeral; everyone present was impressed
: by the manifestations Of deep and earnest
feeling ON tho part Of the assembled
thousands, and the sincere sympathy ex'
pressed for the family Of the deceased
by far the greater part Of the vast as
scmblage ON that solemn occasion wa,
composed OF Democrats, between whom
and Gen. Powell Clayton there had ex
listed for years the bittcfest politica
anlNgonisniS This great gathering an,