Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-02-15
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
7IIE ARKANSAS PLAM
The Murder Of =. W. clayton, nnd IN
Series Of Critaes TINT Led ZIP 10 u.

The Murder Of !. VI. clayton, nnd the
Series Of Critnes TINT Led Up 10 u.
Gen. Powell Clayton aud Judge Clayton,
brothers Of John NJ. Clayton, who was AS.
sassinated at Little Rock, Ark, on the night
of Jan. 20, have furnished a statement to
the public which discoses Arkansas methods
pretty fully aud shows conclusively that
this murder was simply the natural out
come Of long series of similar outrages.
At the September election Of last year the
two most important polling places in Con
way county, Morrillton and Plummervile,
were captured early in the morning by a
Democratic mob, who did not permit any
Republican judges Of election or other Off
cials 10 come near the poll-boxes all day.
At the November election man named
Benjamin was sent by the Republican state
committee to Morrlton to do what he could
toward making the election fair one. He
was set upon as soon as he stepped from
the cars, beaten, trampled upon and shot
He escaped temporarily with his life, but
died Of his injuries soon afterward On
election day the United States supervisor
Of elections undertook to perform his duty
at Plummerville, where mob had taken
possession Of the polling place and had eX
cluded all Republicans. This man, whose
name was Wahl remained at the polls all
day, although repeated attempts were made
tu drive him away. He was present when
the votes were counted, showing that G9'
had been cast, Of which at least i,2 we're
for Clayton. He was present also when
four men, masked and armed, entered the
polling place aud at the muzlles Of their
pistols compelled the Judge and supervisor
who still remained at the polls to turn their
backs, whereupon they seized the box and
poll books and carried them away. Wahl,
therefore, had also tu be removed. He was
accordingly inveigled into IA game of cards
un the night Of December L., in the back
room Of a doctors office in Pummerville,
and seated with his back 10 glass door.
Through the door he was shot dead As he
sat there. For these crimes no person has
been arrested and for their detection no re
ward ha, been offered Very few persons
outside Of the immediate neighborhood
knew Of their occurrence They were so
common as to attract no particular atten-
ton.
Upon learning Of these unlawful acts, to-
gether with many others in different parts
Of his district. Clayton felt it his duty to
institute contest for his seat in Congress, ;
and for the purpose Of ascertaining the ac-
tual vote cast for him at P.ummerville pre-
cinct, that he might engraft that fact in
his notice Of contest, he employed a respon-
,ihle citizen named Alexander, Of the Plum
merville precinct, TO obtain the names Of
over forty five such voters Alexander was
not allowed to work long, however, but was
soon compelled to flee the state, whereupon
Mr. Clayton determined to continue the in
vestigation III person.
The murder Of John NJ Clayton is thus
described by his brothers
John NJ Clayton went to Plummervile
unarmed and unescorted. Knowing the
futllity Of such precautions against the
>tealthy assassin, and believing that his Op-
ponent, MIR. Breckinrdge, who was aware
Of the condition Of affairs IN this county,
would be able and willing to restrain his
partisaus, he said to Henry NJ Cooper, while
passing through Little Rock on his way
there, III response to IA suggestion Of dan
ger
'''I do not believe that | will be harmed
but men who voted for me believe that
was elected and 50 do l. and will 20 there
even at the risk Of my life