Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-22
A WILLING WITNESS
Tells All That He Knows About the
Clayton Murder Case, but
WILL NOT RETURN 10 ARKANSAS.
he Has Wholesome Fear That Something
Would Surely Happen.
THE SILVER DEBATE In TIE SENATE

TIE SILVER DEBATE In TIE SENATE
WASHINGTON, May 21.-Representativt
Lacey's subcommittee OF the House Elec
tions Committee investigating the Clayton.
Breckinridge election case was called TO-
gether this morning to take the testimony
of young man named Taylor, of Indian
Territory. He said he had cast his first vote
at Morrillton, Ark, in 1883. He SAID that
it was understood on the night of the elec-
tion day that Howard township had gone
Democratic, and that the negroes were going
70 raise row.
Upon invitation of Oliver Bentley and
Walter Wells witness, with about dozen
other young men, started about dark from
the neighborhood of Wells store on horse
back for Plummersville. 1t was the inten-
tion to stop any row the negroes might
raise. They got within quarter of q mile
of the polling place, where the main party
rested, while Wood, Bentley and Wells rode
In town to examine the situation. 1t was
found that all was quiet, and the party
turned back to Morrlllton. Witness saw
that o. 2. Bentley and W. P. Wells had a
ballot box.
THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER.
Witness was with George Bentley part of
the night OF the Clayton murder. Witness
described the horse that George Bentley
rode that night, and said that he had broken
his leg and had been killed within two
weeks after the murder.
Ex-Attorney General Garland, who ap-
peared as Representative Disadvantages
counsel. cross-examined the witness. He
said that he had lived in Oregon since leav-
ing Arkansas. There were II or Is in the
party which went down to Plummersville.
The names he could remember were Wood,
DurnoId, Reed, Heard, Hardcastle, Hines,
viii Ward, Oliver and George Bentley and
Thad and Walter Wells. Witness did not
know the nature of the trouble at Plum
mersville; it was said that Howard town.
ship had gone Democratic, and "the negroes
were fussing about it.
Witness was confident that Walter Wells
and Oliver Bentley had the ballot box.
Witness intended to return to Morrillton
when he left, but his friends advised him
not to go back. Threats had been made
against him by Oliver Bentley and Walter
Wells and others. A warrant had been
issued at Little Rock for witness on q charge
OF larceny. The warrant had been sworn
out by painter named Gleason, but was
never served.
A DISCREET INDIVIDUAL.
Witness had volunteered TO return and
answer the warrant, but afterward concluded
that ne had better not return. He was ac-
cused of stealing $50 gold piece. Witness
had given the same testimony before the
United States Court in Arkansas that he had
given here, but the parties had been 40
Quilted. Did not witness the killing of
George Bentley, and his testimony on that
point was hearsay. On the night that Clay
ton was killed witness was at a dance with
Oliver Bentley and Water Wells They
had first stopped at the Court House about
dark and had gone in 81 the dance in a few
minutes, andsstayed there until news came
of the killing OF Clayton. Witness missed
Bentley during the day, and Wells told him
that he had gone home. Witness had been
arrested at Pine Bluff, Ark, for intimidating
q supervisor, but had not been at Pine Bluff
tion day.
'swer to Mr. Lacey witness admitted
had been arrested at Pine Bluff by
lifted States authorities to prevent him
being arrested and carried to Morrill,
/, where he was to be turned over to
sheriff Shelby.
why don't you go back and answer that
Farrant?" queried Mr.. Lacey.
NOT A HEALTHY REGION.
III might get killed, and L might not.
might be sent to the penitentiary-there's no
telling Before 1 left there they did any,
thing they pleased"
Touching the ride to Plummerville. wit
ness said that a programme had been ar
ranged by which hae was to swear that be
went down with Will Wells; that they
didn't GO all the why down; but turned
around and came baak. Walter Wells and
Will Ward were to Swear that they were
playing billiards at Shears Hotel.
Cross examined again by Mr.. Garland.
witness said that he had been on friendly
terms with Gleason and AND had been drink
ing with him on the night when it was
charged that the $50 goldj piece had been
taken. In answer TO REPRESENTATIVE Will
son witness said that he ghad left Arkansas
for Oregon to cut loos9 from Wells and |
Bentley: 1t had got sol that whatever they
said he had to do, and fac had gotten tired of |
It,
$50 you decided to tell all you knew and !
get out of the countrE?" asked Mr.. Wilson. |
WANTED TO REFORM
The witness rcpifed in the affirmative. |
and added that hef wanted to get into a new |
country, where hs would not ihave to steal |
ballot boxes Hfe would return to Nor |
riIlton if Shelby were mott Sheriff. He |
might kill witness or put unJa lob on him.
He knew what had beGn. done before. He |
knew what had happened to man supposed
to, - a detcntSive, after the Clayton murder, |
Inow he was arrested without evidence for
stealing a razor and what became of him.
Didn't know that the razor had been stolen
from negro barber who had had the man
arrested.
To Mr.. Bergen witness said that some
people had said that Oliver Bentley had
killed George Bentley Intentionally because
(Laorpa rroipo 70 ori,- l. IL
box business. oliver laughed when witness
spoke of it, and asserted that he had wit
nesses to prove that the killing was an acci-
dent.
At this point the examination of the wit
ness was concluded, and the subcommittee
adjourned until Friday, when it will meet
With the full committee and decide upon the
further order of proceedings. Mr. Garland,
for Mr. Breckinridge, desires to present
some evidence in rebuttal.
mnF DFnITDT nnT TnU