The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-19
The Authorities Have Got Hold Of
Something That IL Tangible.
Tho Negotiations That Had Gone on
Previous to tho Plummervllle Crime
There Seems TO Be No Doubt
About the Criminals Identity.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal,
LITTLE Rock, Ark, Fob. ls..-More
facts have recently come to light in tho
Clayton tragedy; facts which form
chain Of evidence and may lead to the dis
coycry of the assassin. There Is Informal
ton in the hands OF persons here which
cannot be given to the public yet, but
within few hours the circumstances
which render the suppression OF that in-
formation necessary in the interest Of
justice will be removed, and the facts
given. II has developed within the past
thirty-six hours that previous TO Claylon's
assassination negotiations had been going
ON Tor compromise. The ovcrtures were
made 10y certain parties through ex-shcriG
| Coblcntz to Col. John NJ. Clayton. Clay
ton referred the matter to Judge John Nc
Curc aud other friends in this city, and
for that purpose Coblcntz camo down ON
the 10Th Of January, bearing the following
letter.
rtrNNrnvitIE Ark., Jan ~ iss1
To John Mct urc:
oar friend, az Morrllton siy that the Judges Il
Election will testify a, Ia the true vote oi this
uiowurN Township II the prosecutions arr with.
drawn, aud I think our folks would like u Ia 10
dome They tell me that IL our friends do that
thyS Will testify to about auUo majority CouiputA
| rocs down to-day aud viii hnud sou uls aud ca.
! plain matters morc fully than eau explain them.
! I have srcu Hobbs but have had uo confidential
talk with him yet Nou must be- the judge as to
what Is best 10 DO done and act accordingly
JoHS ~ CtANruN.
After consideration, It was agreed TO
withdraw the prosecutions against the Two
men arrested Tor disturbing the election in
rlummcryilc provided the judges would
testify to the real vote east, but the parties
have refused 10 Withdraw the reward Of
n 900 Tor the ballo,.box thieves.
Mr.. Coblcn,z, who Is acting for parties
In Morulton, isa wcAknown Republican,
and your reporter WIS informed by Judge
Mcclure this morning that ono Of tho
men who hal authorized Coblontz 10
effect this compromise was Mr.. Wells.
merchant Of MorriIton Tho names
VI tie other men were withheld for
certain reasons. After Coblcn,z effected
AN agreement In this city that aioro-
mentioned prosecutions wcro TO be dis
missed provided the judges would testify
as 10 the vote IN Howard Township, which
hc snid would stand, breckenridge, 50;
Clayton, 90, aud total Of COZ, he
went home. leaving hero ON tho
morning Of the 2plh. Col. Clayton
was then at Plummcryillc. Coblentz
stepped of ut the depot at that place
aud had few words with HIN telling him
NJ what agreement had been made. Tho
agreement Of the Republican leaders hero
vas communicated to Wells aud others at
Mouilton an hour later 1, was unsalis-
factory. In as much rs the reward
had not been Withdrawn. Whether
conference followed aud what con-
clusion was reached cannot DO
stated That evening about shutdown a
man left MouiIton riding a claybauk
horse and went In the direction Of Plum
mpNillc. Two miles and bali north Of
pIummcryilIc the same man was seen and
recognized by the persons, and with him
was another man, Who WIS also recognized.
What their purpose WIS aud where they
| went remains 10 be- seen.