The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-03-13
PILLOWS
A Story of Illicit Love, Hatred
and Bloodshed.
CowARDLY MURDER OF A LAWYER.

Shot Down without Warning by the Once
Lever Of the Ex-Confederate Generals
Relief "A Beautifu, Woman who
Ruined a Man and Their Cast ISim or
Litigation Develops Hate In Place of
Love and Brings a Brilliant Man to q
Felons' Cell.
MEMPHIS. Tenn, March ll.-Mr. David
IL. Poston,a prominent lawyer OF this city,
was yesterday shot and MORALLY wounded
by Col. ii. Clay King, a well-known citi-
zen, and also a member of the Memphis
bar. As Col. King was standing in front
of Lees cigar store on May street. MIR.
Poston came along. When he reached
King, the latter. without a word O, warn
ing, placed a pistol against Mr.. Poston's
abdomen and fired. The wounded man
staggered blindly Tor a few seconds, when
friends rushed to his assistance and car
ried him into a restaurant. King stood
still, pistol in hand, and was arrested a
few minutes lat-r.
Causes That Led to the Murder.
The causes which led TO the shooting
have their origin in the lawsuit which
has become "A case celebrated in both Ten
nessee and Arkansas judicial annals, and
to which Ii Clay King and Mrs. Gideon
j. Pillow. widow of Gideon j. Pillow, of
Fort Pillow fame, were the principals.
The litigation has been penulng Tor a
number of years, and grew out If certaln
transactions betwten these parties with
regard TO Arkansas lands, Mrs. Pillow
claiming the title through certain deeds
signed by King and which he claimed
were never executed as lar as delivery was
concerned, alleging that sue obtained sur
reptitiou- possession of them.
Fell in Love with the Widow.
Mrs. Pillow is about 40 years old and
looks 80. She is IA woman o. queeniy pre-
sence, finely educated and of the most
fascinating manner. She mas the daring
of u BernnarLt with the wit aud polish Of
a Recamier. Sne was known to bs
~"risque," and women OF her own socia
rank gradually drew away from her alter
her husbands death, but nothing posi-
lively wrong was proved against her Until
she met Henry Clay King, iour years ago
1t was a chance meeting in Kings owl
office, where she had called to consult hi
partner on "a matter OF business. He w
captivated at first sight, and from tina
moment was her slave.
King Deserts His Wife.
He was never satisfied when absent
from her side, and she encouraged his at
tentions. Finally his infatuation caused
him to throw oil all disguise. He desert
ed his wife n children to go and boart
at her house, n when the scandal be
came 80 notorious that it could no longeI
be outfaced q took the widow to his plan
tation in Lee county, Arkansas, wher'
tthey kept house together. Mrs. Pillow
youngest child, a girl of IL years, was thu
only other white member of the house
hold.
Made Her Liaison Pay.
In the course of time Mrs. Pillow game,
such an influence over King hat he deed
ed her all his property, not even excepting
the house in this city occupied by his de
serted family IL seems that tie deed wa
not intended to be made u matter of rec
ord, but Mrs. Pillow had ideas of bust
ness which would not permit her to thrcy
away such an opportunity to provid
against "a rainy day. She took the deed
and quietly c used them to be recorded
When King found this out he was will,
with rage, and there was a terrible seen
between the two.
Discarded Her Paramour.
The result was that Mrs. Pillow OF
dered him off her plantation and he wa
forced to go. Even after this he tried t
renew his relations with her, but she re
fused his advances, and then he brough
IL e. A. .a..N- ..I Al IL
Gerry court at Memphis to recover hi
property. Then the whole wretched stor
came out In 'he p~leadings. The two loca
papers publ. shed it and King sued bot
for $50, 600 damages. Thu suits, however
anne to nothing, and the suits of King t
recover his p, operty from Mrs. Pillow ar
still pending in the courts.
Threats Against the Victim.
The firm of Poston e. Poston was couT
sci for Mrs. Pillow, and has prosecute
her title vigorously. A very bitter feelin
was aroused between the parties to tn
litigation. Kings bitterness against Mrs
Pillow was in a measure transferred t
David Postop, the leading counsel. Nor
day night King was drinking in a saloo
and said publicly hat he intended t
shoot Dave Poston on sight. The threa
was repeated to Poston, but, bein
plucky, he paid no attention to it.
United to His wronged Wife.
When Kin, was taken to Jail his frs
request was for u bottle of whisky; his sc,
ond for his much wronged but still lovin
wife. She visited him and an affectin
scene took place between the two, thu
reunited under the shadow of the ga
lows. Mr.. Poston's family is one G
the most prominent in the city and wei
known throughout the south. Col. II
Clay King served with distinction in th
Confederate army, is a brilliant lawyer
and is the author of Kings digest of th
laws of Tennessee, which was for q lon
time n standard work.
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