The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-09
REPLY.TO THE CLAYTONS.
SHOWERS IN DEFENSE o.
HIMSELF,
He Denies Emphatically and Specif-
cally All the Charges Made Against
Him by the Claytons-Feeling of the
People of Conway County.

SRI beg small space in your columns
to reply, as briefly as possible, to illusions
to myself contained in an article in your
paper OF the 9th over the names OF Powell
Clayton and w. ii. II. Clayton. OF the
latter shall have nothing to say. He
comes in simply as "me too" The
greater portion Of the article is only re-
iteration of one that emanated from the
brain of Powell Clayton shortly after the
September election, the contents Of which
were at the time denounced as false and
slanderous.
repeat that every reference to me, con-
tanned in the last article, is false, false in
all that the term implies and without
particle OF truth. have lived in Arkan-
sas long enough to be possessed of every
right, privilege and immunity that Clay
ton has, and hope to merit name above
reproach, not as his, linked with infamy,
crime and shame. | shall not charge him
with falsehood in anything that | cannot
prove by the undivided voice OF all good
citizens of Morrilton.
| charge that the following assertions
are false aud literally void OF scinlilla OF
truth: That political club was organ
lied with Showers at its head" that
this club resolved itself into a military
company" that "lhe guns were depos.-
tied, loaded and ready for action, in con-
venient place in the building in which
the election was heidi" that "the guns
were loaded near at hand"
lie says he Stands ready 10 substanti-
ate in every essential particular" these
charges deny them all, and challenge
him for the proof. II he can substantiate
them, or any one Of them, will take the
lie. II he cannot, and will not, he must
stand branded and convicted
The facts are these: The formation OF
militia company was canvassed and Or
ganged long before the election, and after
n considerable delay the arms were fur
nished by the State as they are furnished
TO all other militia companies. / was made
its Captain and commissioned by the Gov
ernor. The company was drilled at leis-
ure times as any company is ] was in
structed by Gov. Hughes that the guns
were not 10 be used for any
purpose whatever, except in drill or
in the service OF the State when called on.
This was implicitly obeyed and observed.
The arms were kept in the company's ar
mory, remote from the courthouse where
elections are held, and were never used rs
Clayton charges.
The further charge that there was pre-.
concerted plan or pretcXl, either by the
militia company, the club or other citi-
Gems, for the arrest Of a Republican Judge
Of election Is false; as false as Clayton's
other charges.
Ii is true, as ] aiterward learned, that
this judge and a Democrat, under the in
iluence OF liquor, got into squabblc Of
words. and he did not put in his appear
ance at the polls at the time Of opening.
The other Republican judge did not come
in town until about $50 o'clock. The
Democratic judge was too unwell TO serve.
80 unwell that he did not come TO the
! polls till late in the morning.
In this situation the people at the polls
| elected officers. in proper form, who held
the election rs provided by law. A morc
! quiet or orderly election ] never saw.
All the foregoing are the facts. Other
reports, whether by Powell Clayton or his
| lying inlormants, are false. Referring 10
the assassination Of John NJ. Clayton, his
| brothers and relatives have the sympathy
| Of every right thinking man. The terrible
crime Is nowhere more deplored than in
|
| crdi and St. Louis Republic will furnish
sheriff Shelby with the knowledge thew
intimate can be had, ! know that the muir
dercr will he apprehended in very
short time. IL is an outrage for
the distant press 10 charge him
with a dereliclion OF duty in this
matter when IL has no knowledge OF his
efforts. ANY limitations or insinuations
| by the press or individuals, that the rs.
sassinalion OF Clayton was planned by any
person or persons, other than the muir
| defcrs, are the carnations OF knaves. No
| better people live than arc found in Con-
way County. No people are more willing
| 10 aid and assist the officers Of the law ia
| icrreling out this foul deed than this PEG.
! Pile.
Furthermore, they are resolved that
| these gentlemen OF the press shall be
| called 10 appear before the Grand Jury,
and speak under oath what they insinuatc
| Our people court and challenge full, free
and complete yindicalion. The OIL
GERS and people guarantee full pro-
| lection. Even Powell Clayton would
/ be as glio here as he was when
under the embargo OF his militia, who, |
venture 10 say, murdered more people in
this aud other counties than In all the
other history Of Arkansas since she be-
came a State. They are invited TO come
nj once and assist by their advice, or
/ knowledge, in finding a clew that will lead
10 the apprehension Of the ielon.
II IL generally believed that the Repub-
lican leaders Of this county who failed OF
recollection last fall, have been actively
engaged IN creating suspicion that
would saddle on the Democratic party
the crime of the assassination: and
that they would not, II they could.
| furnish any data that would bring
the offender to justice. This would
destroy their stock Ia trade. on which
they and others hope 10 mako political
capital. They will be compelled 20 show
their hands at the proper time.
In their desperation they would not
hesitate 20 do anything that would
crcatc suspicion against the many
active Democrats who dug them up and
pulled them from the den Of corruption
they had ioisicd on the people. At heart
they prefer the present suspense rather
than true revelation Of the facts.
Now, since you have given space 90 the
Clayton side, ] claim that the publication
Oi facts In denial is ia justice demanded
NJ your hands. w. 4 SrowgRs.
Morrilltou Ark Echrtarv : 1854