The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-06
DUCKED AND FLOGGED HIM.
BAY HEAD vIGILANTEs PUNISH JOHN
CLAYTON, A SUMMER RESIDENT

ana f1ogged HIN Hi ne Fen lnsenshbie.
AsBuRY PARK. Aug. John Clayton. q resi-
dent at Bay Head. was taken BY vigilance
committee last evening from the cottage OF his
neiRhbor. Joseph Parker. After having rome
tied about his body under his armpits he was
thrown into the river and aducking given him.
After they had drawn him out Of the water
and thrown him back several times tho COM
mittee cut the rope into lengths Of . yard
each. and starting the half-drowned man on
run, they belabored him with the short lengths
Of rope untn. overcome by his forced bath and
the fogging he had received. no dropped In
the road unconscious.
Mr.. Clayton had been summer resident OF
Bay Head for some time. When he first came
there he made the acquaintance OF Mrs.
Parker. the wife OF Joserh Parker. also resi-
dent OF that fashionable summer resort. Tho
acquaintance soon ripensd into intimacy, and
they were constantly seen in each other 8 com.
pany. The residents OF the place didn't like
Clayton's actions. and told him SO.
He answered them by telling them to mind
their own business. Anumber Of the citizens
hold secret meeting on Sunday and decided
to take prompt action toward Riding tho
town OF young Clayton. who, since his infatua-
ton for Mrs. Parker. had neglected hie wife.
The night before last the committee looked
for Clayton. but could not find him. so they de-
ferred action until last night. At about mid
night tho committee. by previous arrange
ment met a short distance from Clayton's
house. Ono OF the number was sent to tho
house to get Clayton to come out.
Tho mans knock brought Mrs. Clayton to tho
door, She said her husband was. In all proba-
bility. in tho company OF Mrs Parker. The
forsaken wife told tho story OF her trouble TO
an interested listener. It made him and those
to whom he repeated 1t all the more eager to
lay hands upon The recresnt husband.
The committee then won't to the house so
frequently visited BY Clayton. and found him
there In company with Mrs. Parker. Clayton
was called out OF the house. only to find him
self surrounded BY a silent but very resolute-
looking crowd OF citizens. Without any pre-
face rope was quickly thrown about Clay
tons body. and he was carried q struggling
prisoner down tho road to tho river. When
Clayton found what the men intended
to do with him hs begged piteously
Tor mercy and promised to ronounca Mrs.
Parker and return to his wife. His cries were
In vain. for despite his protests he was picked
ND bodily and with Here goes boys" was
thrown into the river. One OF their number
hold on tho end OF the rope. as they did not
wish to drown him.
As soon as no resppesred he made rapid
strokes for the shore. No sooner had no
reached It than he was again seized and cast
back into tho river. Again and again the mis-
cradle man was hauled from the wafer and
thrown back. until finally the committee
thought he had got enough OF that medicine.
and decided to change their treatment. Taking
the rope from Clayton's waist and cutting
IT. into ykrd lengths. they distributed
them among the men. after which they
started to run him out OF town. tho vieilantes
at the same time soundly floggine him with
their pieces OF rope as he ran. Before he lad
run block he dropped In faint In the middle
Of the road. He soon recovered and was al
lowed to leave the tewn without further mo-
| lestation.
Tho committee then went back to the house
to find Mrs Parker. but she had wisely taken
| time BY ,he forelock and had got away. The
| present whereabouts Of the pair arc unknown.
| Mr. CLAYTON is ~ years old. while his wife ia
four years his junior. Mrs. Parker is said to
DO about 80 years old and quite fascinating in
her appearance Neither Mr.. Parker nor Mrs.
Clayton could be found when sought for this
evening by reporter. They went away Inn
mediately after the occurrence.
Tho inhabitants OF the little resort feel as II
tho erring husband had received his just de-
serts. Bay Head Is about fifty miles south OF
Asbury Park. and contains the summer homes
OF many wealthy New York and Philadelphia
families. The work OF tho eelf-constituted
vigilance committee was done SO quietly and
SO quickly. that the cottagers hardly knew
| about Il until It was over.