The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-09
SURPRISE IN SEATTLE.


SURPRISE IN SEATTLE.
Cobieat. Had Many Friends Here-He
Wasa Very Brave Man.
The news of the death of Warden ]. III.
Cooientx vas genuine surprise to his
friends in this city, and the universal ex-
preston was 10 the effect that they did
/ not see how man with such
nerve should have turned his revolver
| against himself. What sdded more 10 the
startling character of the report was that
Cooientz was IN this city day before yes-
terdsy TO see Gov. McGraw about the let
l ter he had received from the board of d.
rectors OF the penitentiary asking him TO
resign. While here he learned that the
governor was out OF the city, and, ac-
cording TO the general understanding,
on the way to Walla Wala to see
him. During the afternoon d PosT-INTEL-
LiGEScEs reporter had an interview with
the warden. q full report OF which was
printed yesterday morning. He was in
apparent good spirits. and if the idea OF
suicide vas IN his mind he gave no out
ward sign that anything Was wrong. The
greater part of the day aud evening as
spent IN company with ID. A. Mckenzie,
one of his closest friends, aud under
whom Coblentz operated when in the
United states customs service.
1t Is probable that the warden would
have talked more freely about his inner
most thoughts to Mckenzie than any
other person. and he certainly did give
Mckenzie to believe that he felt keenly
the blow he had received in regard to
his position at the penitentiary. He
looked upon it in the light that
the directors turned against him be-
cause he took part in q political fight at
Walla Walla on the side opposed TO them.
He also professed to believe that some
person or persons had poisoned the mind
OF the governor against him. He seemed
to give up the fight and had concluded TO
resign, provided the governor wished him
10 do so. He intended returning TO the
Sound and going into the steam boat
business. In all his talk with McKen-
ze, night before last. prior TO leaving on
the 1880 O'Clock train, he gave no sign of
contemplating suicide. His last remark
as the train drew out was about his family
and what dear, good wife he had. II was
not unusual for him to speak OF his wife,
because with all his exterior roughness he
had a warm heart and thought the world
of his family.
Every one who knew Coblentz said he
was the last man in the state they sx-
pected to hear of as having killed himself.
His life had been one OF continual excite
ment and the smell of burnt powder was
nothing to him. 1t wa. he who res
cued the body OF Gen. John VI. Clay
ton. the Republican congressman
elect who was essassinatsd at Plum
Al
n crowd OF men. and on which account he
afterwards had 10 fee from the state to
save his life After that historic case he
came to Puget sound, and has ever since
been prominent figure In politics
aud as an officer of the law. He
was born about forty-fys years ago
in Tennessee, and his parents are still
living. He inherited strong conststn-
tion, and grew up 10 be q man Of splendid
physical proportions. although in his last
few years he took on considerable flesh.
owing TO his convivial habits He
had keen black eye. and at
first glance one always got the
impression that he was squint-
eyed. His nose vas large and inclined
10 the Roman type. His Jaw was square
and indicated determination. over
musiaehe. Taken as a whole. he struck
one as being a very substantial man. In
his early life he did not enjoy The advant-
ages of an extended education. 1t might
safely be said be vas educated in public
life and by the experiences he
passed through. From Tennessee be
went to Arkansas after the close
of the civil war and soon became promi-
nsnt as q pronounced and fearless Repub-
ican. At first he went TO farming and
later secured position as deputy sheriff.
As near as can b learned he
lived near Plummervile, and there
became acquainted with Gen. John
NJ. CLAYTON, who settled in JEFF
ferson county. Arkansas. and who
vas a member OF the state assembly from
ls7l 20 is72: Of the senate from 1872 to
1874 and sheriff from 1875 = lss6 In 1883
CLAYTON was candidate for congress from
the Second tClifton K. Breckinridge' .
district and. although be did not
receive governors cerglficata Of
election, his friends claimed he was
siected and instituted contest.
Clayton was warned to keep away
from Plummerville. bet be ga. brave
man and paid no attention TO the warn
inGs. proceeding 20 the place with the
avowed intention Of taking testimony in
support Of his claim for the congregational
seat Is was January -, 1850 that the
tragedy occurred. Clayton had gons TO his
hotel. and after entering his room paced
m and dosn the floor for some time.
Then be took of his coat and sat down
At table eIoss - = window to write let
ter The move vas n fatal ore for him,
for in the stiffness Ct the night
a load report vas heard out
side ths house. and Clayton fell
back deed, shot through the body With n
I load of backshot. After the assassiaation
vas over the room vas hiled with
E men VINO we're undoubtedly Clayton 5
snerniss They woala not permiE any
I one near the body. and It was then thai
4 Cob.rntr. who was sheriff, showed
shat be wss made o. lie forced
his way into the room by means
8 . A