New-York tribune., 1890-01-13
MAJOR CLARK ARRESTED.
CHARGED WITH FELONTOUS ASSAULT ON
MR. RANDOLPH
lie SAYS THAT HE WAS KNOCKED DOWN BEFORE
he DREW HIS REVOLVER AND THAT HE
FIRED IN sELF.DEFENCE-HE HAD BEEN
ILL AND WAS UNABLE TO PROTECT
HIMSELF-THE CASE WILL
COME UP IN THE POLICE
COURT TODAY
COURT TODAY.

in little reckless pistol practice on frday even
ing, was arrested yesterday afternoon on the
charge Of fclonious assault upon Wilton Randolph
4 Tribune reporter found Major Clark at the
Nineteenth Precinct Police Station shortly aitcr
his arrest. He did not appear to be greatly agit-
atcd, but on the contrary, pleasant smile lHu-
mined his somewhat frightened face as he leaned
back in his chair easily and put his hands in his
pockets Il have been warned by my counsel TO
talk TO no one, he said. "Y You see where am !;
it is not a very good place in which TO do much
talking" But he did talk, and here is what he
said:
You see that ?" he asked, indicating a
deep red spot on his right cheek 1t was about
as large as a penny, red in coOr and slightly
swollen THAT was made by the ring of Mr.
Wilton Randolph"
"Thcn he struck you?"
II may say that he did for he Knocked me
completely of of the sidewalk into the middle Of
the street, leaving the scar that you see on my
check. | call that some proyOca:ion to defend
myself, don't you"
We'll. the whole story is right here. | lent
Mr. Randolph a book: a very valuable book, a
biography of my grandfather, General George
Rogers Clark, who built Fort Jefferson, and but
for whom our possessions west of Virginia would
have been lost to us He was very illusrious
/ man, and on occasion, at a dinner, John
Randolph, of Roanoke, referred to him as the
Hannibal Of the Vest Now. this Mr. Randolph
Of Roanoke. was an ancestor of Mr. Wilton Ran
dolph, of Ncw-Yorl and slightly related TO our
family ON these accounts | thought we might
cement our friendship, and so / offered to lend
him this book about General Clark, leaving it for
him, with pleasant note enclosed, with the clerk
/ OF the club.
Now. how did he return the book? lie
tossed It over 10 the clerk lie left no note
Of thanks and expressed 10 me no appreciation
Of the favor. but on the contrary. left the book
there with the clerk 70 lay around on the desk
day after day and De read by any one who
chanccd 10 come along and pick il up. DO you
call that the way TO treat gentleman? don't.
d" But there was another matter in connection
with this About two months ago or so, one
Sunday evening, | and two or three more MEM
hers Of the club rendered n complimentary dinner
10 Judge Gildcrslceyc rs the party, consist
inc Of the Judge. Tom Ochilrcc. Steele Mackayc.
one or two more and myself were passing through
10 the dinins- hall, we party of SIN gentlemen
playing cards | did not recognize any of them
except Mr Waters. and did not know that Mr..
Randolph was one of t1c party.
To have our guests see members Of our club
payin- cards on SUNDAY night was source Of
very deep modification - me. and | immcdi-
I atciy spoke - the Executive Committee about
n. and something Of an agitation resulted. cul-
miuating IN the passing # rule stopping card
: pltyin- on sunday. Now. about three weeks
4 aeo / learned that Nr Wilton Randolph was
/ one of that party of card players. and | very
naturally thought that his unccntlcmanly con
duct in returning my hook in the di,conri'ous
way that be did was due 10 offence he had taken
81, nf lac
In fact II j., 10 This feeling on the part Of Mr.
Randolph that ! attribute the whole trouble.
Sc Did any words ever pass between you and
Mr. Randolph regarding this
no
" Did you hold any conversation with Mr. Ran
dolph previous - the night of the shootinc?7
so. | believe not. ON one occasion MIR. Ran
dolph did try 10 stop ne IN the hallway, saying
something or another. but could not stop 10 dis
cuss the affair with him then
Regarding the conversation that led 10 the
shooting hc said " | had come downtown in the
middle Of the day 70 insert in the newspapers a
notice regarding the death of relative |
dropped into The club and there met Mr. Ran
/ dolph.
Did you receive my boo!, % asked
! "'lcs' he answered
Then why did you not return it as a gentle
man should?
DO you mean 10 nsinuatc that | am not a
gcutIcmaur lie asked.
Yes. SIR do replied.
lie then invited me out into the street,
waving Iii, hand toward the door What
could do but follow? He knew
WIS in no condition TO fight. was just
out Of my bed | had been sick three weeks
with the gIip and | was rs weak shad.
| But followed him out onto the sidewalk, and
| there lac dared me 10 repeat my statement. did
50. Instantly he struck me a stlnsing blow IN
| the face. ! Was standing on the curbstOnc, and
/ the blow knocked me out into the middle oi the
street | fell on my side, and rolled over on my
shoulder, striking mY head on the pavement
| think ! saw about score or more of stars. Us
fell | felt the revolver in my hlp pocket. This
/ was the first time | had thought of tine rcNollc
IT, was a little WOmanN pistol, tiny affair That
carried 10 protect myself against the i"otpadS
and sandbnSgcrs that lnicst that portion of the
I boulevard through which have 10 pass To reach
my home at No. ~ West SiNtJ thrd-st nave
to 20 ri2ht through the worst place IN the cry.
Frequently my wife IS with me, and felt that
must hc protected.
Then il is not your custom to carry re
yolver?'
And you did not 60 armed with amy idea of
meeting Mr.. Rlndolph?'
Bless your soul, no. never drcamt of the
revolver until felt II in my pocket when Mr..
Randolph knocked me down ON the pavement.
| Then as | came partly 10 myself and found Mr.
| Randolph leaning over me trying 10 keep me
down, ! very naturally drew It IN Scll-dclencc.
MIR Randolph tried 10 wrench II from my hand,
| knowing my weakness But | managed 10 keep
it in my possession and 10 use II for my defence.
| But Just rs soon as | found that Mr. Randolph
| had ceased 10 attack me. and had begun To run
| down the street, called out 10 him that would
stop shooting No, did not intend 10 assault
him or shoot him. and all did was in self delrnce
| WAS not intoxicated ! had taken two or three
milk punches, but was not in any sense OF the
word under the influence of liquor. And II ! had
| been, do you think it would pc gcntlenanly
and courteous act on the part of MIR. Randolph
| 10 take advantage of my condition 10 excite me
| Ia a quarrel'' =,
/ what have you 10 say about the charge that