The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1894-03-12
DEATH IN JAIL !
Jim Clements Pays the Debt
of Life.
WAS STRICKEN WITH A FIT
Had Been in Jail Only a Few Short
Hours.

He Dies Before Help Can Reach Him
He Had Beaten His Wife the Night Be
FORE but All the Same She Weeps for
Him-The story of His imprisonment
and sudden Death.
Death in a twinkling death in a
prison cell.
James Clements, a labOrer who lived
jus. north Of the city limits, died in Jail
Yesterday morning.
Saturday L ight he took too much liquor
aJoa-d, and went home under its infu-
ence
His wife quarrclled with him about
coming home in such a condition, and
soon there was family affair The neigh
bors heard screams and saw him knock
his wife out Of the front door.
Some of the neighbors then went to
the house to see if they could restrain
him. He shut himself in the house, and
swore he would kill anyone who at
tempted to enter.
This was about II O'Clock.
Soon a warrant was sworn out against
him by Justice McMannen, and Consta-
Die Mangum went to the house to serve
1t on him.
He found him sitting alone on his
porch.
81 have a warrant for you, Jim" re-
marked the constable.
"Well, read it," he responded.
The officer called for light, and read
the warrant.
Can you give bond?'
NO"
Then l will have to carry you to jail"
jim sullenly went with the constable.
AS the two started to go Clements
wife stepped to the door and said: "Where
are you going 10 take him
"He says he can't give bond, and FL
have to take him to JAIL" responded Of
fcer Mangum.
"Well" she said, there's only one
thing l hate about it; he is subject to
fits"
And the officer and his prisoner walked
TO the police office.
There they waited for an hour or so
for the arrival of the jailer, and it was
l o'clock when the iron doors changed
behind Clements.
Jailer Harvard placed Clements where
II fit came on him, assistance could be
given.
All passed off very we'll until break
fast.
At the morning meal, Clements seemed
as bright as anyone in the cells, and ate
with hearty relish.
After he had almost finished his break
fast the persons around him noticed that
his feet tapped the floor, and his muscles
jerked convulsively.
Jailcr Harvard called to Wayland Rol-
lins, Quick, Cap, he's having a fit"
Rollins and several others bore him to
cot, while the iailer ran for doctor.
But in a moment Clements was dead
The doctor came, but death was swifter
than the doctor
The whole scene was enacted In less
time than it takes to tell of it.
Death had entered the cell and borne
him from behind the bars.
The dead mans brother in-law carried
the news to Mrs. Clements Though the
night before he had beaten and bruised
her, she was overcome with grief at the
news of his death
She is in delicate condition and her
face bears plainly the marks of her hus.
bands brutality.
Clements was a native of Durham
county-born and raised nesr the town
lie had been out of work for several
months, and had secured a place, at
which he was 10 commence work to-day
His wife, his two children and his
aged mother depended on him for their
sole support
lie was sbou. 25 years old.
The interment will be in the county at
Emo church.
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