Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-05-06
A SCENE IN COURT.
Insinuations That Rufied the Feelings Of
an Auditor.

LITTLE Rock. ARK, May about
200 witnesses testified before the Clay
ton-Breckinridge Investigation Commit
tee. The maiorityof them were negroes
and swore they voted for John NJ Clay
ton for Congress. One hundred and
fifty of them lived in Riverside town
ship. Woodruff county, the remainder
in Cotton and Augusta, Woodruff coun-
ty, and in Howard township, Conway
county.
The greatest sensation that ever took
place in the Federal Court in this city
occurred about o'clock this evening.
Mr.. Thomas Hooper had just finished
giving her evidence, in which she ac-
knowlcdgcd that she was acquainted
with Safer, when Hon. Carroll Arm
strong arose and addressed the Com
mittec as follows:
Mr.. Chairman there have been some
foul charges made against the people OF
MOrrilltOn and Conway counties by the
mOuth-piece Of Powell Clayton. | desire
to enter an appearance for the people of
Conway county"
an appeal for Conway county" said
Major Lade Lacey TO the StcnOgrapher.
| understand this committee intends TO
adjourn within Il short time after hay
ing received testimony here that would
cast "a cloud upon the people of Conway
county aud retire TO the city Of Washing
ton for the purpose OF making their re-
port.
Il think that quite probable" said
Mr. Lacey.
Il insist that this committee shall
subpoena witnesses from people Of Con-
way county-from among the good peo-
pie of Conway county to refute the
charges that have been made by this
infamous and vile Slanderer.
No sooner had Mr.. Armstrong uttered
these words than Judge Mcclure sprang
from his seat and struck the Conway
County attorney in the face. The court
room was packed and everybody was on
their feet. Col. w. II. Clayton reached
for his pistol.
Hold on, exclaimed General Powell
Clayton, "we don't want any of that
Friends caught hold of Armstrong
who was struggling deSperatcly'to get
AT the Judge to resent the blow.
'Stop that right here. stop il, shout
ed Mr. breckenridge; "that won't do. -
search and see if he is armed, cried
out Col. w. II. Clayton.
why don't the Committee arrest"
exclaimed Gen. Powell Clayton.
"Thae would put an end to this.
In a moment afterwards, Mr.. Arm
strong was led out of the room, and
quiet being restored. the investigation
proceeded without further interruption.
There was another excitement created
I'm the court room about nine o'clock
by Mrs. Hooper. She was seated by
| the side of her daughter on the
east side of the room, when suddenly
she got up and went over TO the oppo-
site side, where Safer was seated near
GOV. Eagle and in the rear Of the attor-
news for the contestccs. There was a
vacant seat next TO the one Oc-
Icupicd by Safer, into which
Mrs. Hooper threw herself and
commenced conversation with the
man who accused her husband of muir
dering Clayton. Almost every eye in
y All' iONl lNVil was NAA'' A'N A'NtA4''t VIZ
couple. "Why did you want me to
swear those lies against my dead nus
band. Satcr?"
80, don't known of any lie, Mrs.
Hooper, ! sworc about your husband,
Safer replied.
"YcS YOU did: You know that my huS-
band had no more to do with kill
| ing John NJ. Clayton than you did
Your husband told me every word !
/ testified here"
.'Sater, you know better than that:
You know he never said anything in his
| life against John VI. Clayton. and /
want to tell You right now that You had
better not say anything against me.
Il have never spoken i'll of you in my
life"
"Wcll, just dare you to-
Mrs. Hooper about this time was be-
ginning to elevate her voice. and Mr..
Safer to prevent a scene, got mp and
hurried to the rear part of the room.
As soon as Safer left. Mrs. Hooper
sprang from her seat and strolled across
the room, laughing and ciappins her
hands.