The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-02-06
THE MURDER OF JUDGE CLAYTON.
Details of the KiIling-The Assassin Fired
Through n Window

Through a Window.
PLUMMERvILLE, Ark, Jan. 30.-The follow.
ing details of the killing of the Hon. John NJ.
Clayton. who was shot in his room at Mrs.
Craven's house at 9 o'clock last night, are
learned to-day.
D. H. Womach of Benton, Ark. travelling
man, and Mr. AlnUtt, a friend of Clayton's,
were occupying the same room with the
murdered man. Mr.. Clayton had been ner.
vous all the evening and was pacing the floor
with bis hands in his packets. Finally he
walked toward the window, over which the
blind was partially drawn, and was in the act
Of sitting down when a shot was fred through
the window, making very loud report and
putting out the light. The blood could be
heard running from Clayton, and Womach ex-
claimed: THE lamp has exploded and killed
him." 'No" said Alnutt, "he has been shot"
When a light had been secured it was found
that load of buck-shot had been fired through
the window, taking effect in the right side of
the victims neck, breaking il, one bullet pass
ing clear through. He had fallen back in his
chair and then over on the floor This is the
story as told by Mr.. Womach and is straight
There Is no clew TO the perpetrators of the
outrage but pistol was found underneath the
window this morning which may probably lead
to the discovery OF the assassin. No one ad-
VALUES any iubOig yet n great uuulDtT Ol
people, principally negroes are in the little
village, but everything is orderly and quiet.
This morning Coroner Hugg commenced the
inquest. D. 4. WOmack and w. ID. Alnut tes.
tilted substantially given above. Mr.. Alnut
testified in addition that he heard stems ont
side the window both before and after the
shooting. The verdict of the jury was that J.
NJ. Clayton came TO his death from three or
more loaded balls, at the hands of some un-
known person.
LITTLE Rock. Ark, Jan.30.-The remains
of John NJ. Clayton were brought 10 this city
tonight and were met at the depot by knights
Iemplars cOmmandeTy and vast cOncOurse of
people and escorted TO the commandery asy-
lum, were they lie in state till tomorrow to bs
taken TO Pine Bluff for Interment
The fatal wound is a very ugly one. a charge
of fifteen of buckshot entered the right side of
the head, tearing hole in which man could
run his fist. Seven balls passed clear through,
making hole on the left side an inch and a-half
in diameter. The neck was broken all the
arteries from the brain TO the heart severed,
and death was instantaneous. A pistol found
just outside Mrs Craven's yard is the only clew
10 the perpetrators. 1t is a Smith & Wesson,
forty-four caliber, blue barrel, latest i'm
proved brand-new, loaded full, and never
night at o'clock, prowled around
the house trying TO find it. but the men inside
were unarmed and were afraid to venture out,
knowing IL meant certain death. The assassins
wore n6dfy dfcuC ONeISnOts, which lney
pulled OFF as soon as they got outside of the
yard.
The people of Plummervile are horror.
stricken and mvstified. and feel outraged, too.
on account of the cowardly assassination, and
openly declare they would hang the assasSins il
caught
A bill was presented in the senate to-day au-
thOrizing the governor to offer 5000 reward
for the arrest of the murderer or murderers OF
John NJ Clayton, and 1t was made the special
order for to-morroM.