Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-06
ALMOST A FIGHT.
The Little Rock Investigation Commit
tee May Need Life Insurance.

LITTLE Rock. ARK. Nav 6.--About two hum
dred witnesses testified yesterday before the
Clayton-Breckinridge investigating committee.
The majority of them were negroes and swore
they voted for John NJ Clayton for Congress-
One hundred and fifteen Of them lived in Riv-
erside township, Woodruff county. and the re-
mainder in Cotton Plant and Augusta. Wood
ruff county, and in Howard township, Conway
county.
The greatest sensation that ever took place
in the federal court room IN this city occurred
about o'clock last evening. Mrs Thos. Hooper
had just finished giving evidence in which
she testified that she was acquainted with
Safer, when Hon. Carroll Armstrong arose
and addressed the committee as follows: MIR.
Chairman, there have been some foul charges
made against the people OF Norrillton and Con-
way counties by the mouthpiece of Powell Clay
ton. l desire to enter appearance for the
people OF Conway county"
Note that Mr.. Armstrong desires to enter
an appearance for Conway" said Maj Lacey to
the stenographer.
Il understand" continued Mr.. Armstrong.
''this committee intends TO adjourn within a
short time after having received testimony
here that would cast a cloud upon the people
of Conway county and retire 10 the city Of
Washington for the purpose of making their
report"
Il think that is quite possible" said Mr..
Lacey.
Il insist that this committee shall subpoena
witnesses from the people of Conway-from
among the good people OF Conway county-to
retute the charges that have been made by the
infamous and vile slanderer"
No sooner had Mr.. Armstrong uttered these
words than Judge Mcclure sprang from his
seat and struck the attorney in the face. The
court room was packed and everybody was on
his feet
Col. W. IL. II. Clayton reached for his pistol.
Hold on, hold on," exclaimed Powell Clay
ton. I'VE don't want any of that"
Friends caught hold of Mr.. Armstrong. who
was struggling desperately to get at the Judge
TO resent the blow.
stop that right here; stop it," shouted Mr..
Breckenridge.
That won't do; seize him and see il be is
armed" cried out Col. Clayton.
why don't the committee arrest him."
exclaimed Powell Clayton; that would put an
end to this"
In moment afterward Mr.. Armstrong was
led out of the room by Mr.. Breckenridge, and
quiet being Restored the investigation pro-
ceeded without further interruption.
There was a great deal ofeKcItement created
in the court room about 9 o'clock by Mrs.
Hooper. She WAS seated by the side of her
daughter on the east side OF the room. when sud-
denly she got up and went over to the opposite
side. where Safer Was seated near Gov Eagle
and IN the rear of the attorneys for contestees.
There Was vacant seat next to the one occu-
pied by Safer and Mrs. Hooper threw herself
INTO II and commenced a conversation with
Safer about the murder Of Clayton. why did
you want TO swear those lies against my dead
husband. Satery' she asked
''Oh, don't know OF any lie. Mrs Hooper,
that swore against your husband" Safer re-
piled.
''Yes, you did. You know that my husband
had no more to do with killing John NJ Clay
ton than you did"
Your husband told me every word / tes-
tined here that he sand to me-"
''Sater, you know better than that You
know he never said anything In his life against
John NJ Clayton; and want 10 tell you right
now that you had better not say anything
against me-"
Il have never spoken i'll of you in my life."
well. just dare you to do it, that's ALL
Il could not say anything against you. II
you will read my testimony, given last Satur-
day, you will find that spoke very highly Of
you. aud you ought to be proud Of the compli-
ment paid you"
Mrs. Hooper about this time was beginning
TO elevate her voice, and Mr.. Safer, TO prevent
q scene, got up and hurried 10 the rear part Of
the room. As soon he left Mira hooper
sprang from her seat and strobe across the
room laughing and clasping her hands TO the
great amusement OF the spectators.