The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-08
DUCKED AND FLOGGED.
viEilautes Punish john clayton.
a Summer Resident,
FOR SHOWING TOGMUCH INTIMACY
With Another Mans wire--.with a
Rope About His Waist, He Is
Dragged to tho River and Thrown
In Several Times---They Cut the
Rope Into Yard Lengths and
Tlosscd Him Severely.

AsBuRY PAhK, Aug. 7.-John Clayton,
a resident of Bay Head, was taken by a
vigilance committee last evening from
the cottage of his neighbor, Joseph
Parker. After having a rope tied about
HIS body under his armpits he was
thrown into the river and q ducking
given him.
After they had drawn him out Of the
water and thrown him back several
times the committee cut the rope into
lengths OF yard each, and starting the
half.drowned man on run, they be-
labored him with the short lengths of
rope until, overcome by his forced bath
and the logging he had received, he
dropped in the road unconscious.
Mr.. Clayton had been a summer resi-
dent OF Bay Head for some time. When
he first came there he made the nc
quaintance OF Mrs, Parker, the wife Of
Joseph Parker, also a resident OF that
fashionable summer resort. The ac-
quaintance soon ripened into intimacy,
aud they were constantly seen in each
other company. 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. A number
OF the citizens held secret meeting
on Sunday and decided to take prompt
action toward Kidding the town Of
young Clayton, who, since his infatua-
ton for Mrs. Parker, had neglected his
wife.
The night before last the committee
looked for Clayton. but could not find
him, so they deferred action until last
night. At about midnight the commit
tee, by previous arrangement, met
short distance from Clayton's house.
One OF the number was sent to the
house to get Clayton to come out.
The mans knock brought Mrs. Clay
ton to the door. She said her husband
was, in all probability, in the company
OF Mrs. Parker. The forsaken wife told
the story OF her trouble to an interest
cd listener. It made him and those to
whom he repeated it all the more eager
to lay hands upon therecreant husband.
The committee then went TO this
house so frequently visited by Clayton,
and found him there in company with
Mrs. Parker. Clayton was called out OF
the house, only TO ind himself sur
rounded by silent but very resolute-
looking crowd OF citizens. Without
any preface rope was quickly thrown
about Clayton's body, and he was car
ried, q struggling prisoner, down the
road to.the river. When Clayton found
what the men intended TO do with him
he begged piteously for mercy and
promised to renounce Mrs. Parker and
return to his wife. His cries were in
vain, for despite his protests he was
picked up bodily and with a Here
goes, boys, was thrown into the river.
One OF their number held on the end OF
the rope, as they did not wish to drown
him.
As soon MS he reappeared he made
rapid strokes for the shore. No sooner
had he reached it than he was again
seized and cast back into the river.
Again and again the miserable man was
hauled from the water 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 yard lengths, they
distributed them among the men, after
which they started to run him out OF
town, tho vigilantes at the same time
hogging him with their pieces OF rope
as he ran. Before lie had ran block
he dropped in n faint in the middle OF
the road. He soon recovered and was
allowed to leave the town without
fruthur molestation.
The committee then went back to the
house to find Mrs. Parker, but she had
wisely taken time by the forelock and
had got away. The present where
abouts OF the pair are unknown. Mr..
Clayton is % years old, while his vito is
four years his junior. Mrs. Parker is
said to be 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
n reporter. They went away immedi-
ately after the occurrence.
The inhabitants OF the little resort
feel as ii the erring husband had re-
ceived his Just deserts. Bay Head is
about fifty miles south OF Asbury Park.
and contains the summer homes Of
many wealthy New York and Philadel-
phia families. The work OF the self
constituted vigilance committee was
done so quietly and so quickly that the
cottagers hardly knew about it until 1t
was over.