The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-08
The Governor Returned the Compli-
ment, and Thus Two southern
Gentlemen Were Quits.
AFFAIR AS JONES TELLS IT
SAYS THE GOVERNOR WAS THE
FIRST TO DO THE SPLITTING.
Spectacle Was bad Even In the
Wilds of Arkansas.

LITTLE ROCK. Ark. April 1.-THE spec
tacle of an honorable member of the Ar
kansas Legislature. livid with rage. spit
ting in the face OF the Governor or this
commonwealth, quickly returned by a vic-
lent emission of executive saliva, showered
on the angered features of the lawmaker
and flourish of firearms in the hands OF
the Governor. was witnessed in the lobby
of Gleason's Hotel here this afternoon 1t
was the result OF the sensational charges
of bribery in connection with the railroad
commission bill sprdng in the House OF
Representatives yesterday by. Mr.. vance,,
of Phillips county.
Mr.. Jones' of Marion county. one of the
principals in the alteration of this after
noon, rose, yesterday, to point OF per-
sonal privilege and denounced Governor
Clarke as being at the bottom OF the charges.
He said that Governor Clarke was dem
agogue and going around like the assassin
in the night with knife, stabbing in the
back men who were his peers"
This afternoon Governor Clarke met
Jones in the lobby at Gleasons and re-
quested a private interview with him. Jones
replied that he would accompany the Cow
ernor nowhere, and that IL the chief ex-
ecutive had anything to say to him he
must make it known there Hot words fol-
the Governors face. Governor Clarke.
trembling with anger. returned the insult.
and, as quick as flash. drew his revolver.
The difficulty might have resulted in blood
shed but for the quick action of bystanders
who disarmed Governor Clarke. The Gov
ernor was later arrested by constable and
released on his own recognizance. He WILL
he says. plead guilty to the charge OF as
sault tomorrow morning. Further trouble
may ensue.
In statement of the occurrence given OUT
tonight Representative Jones says: 81 had
just left the dining room from dinner at
GleaSon'S Hotel and took a seat in the Of
flee on the east side. facing the east wall.
quietly smoking a cigar and not expecting
any trouble whatever. Suddenly heard the
front door open abruptly, and on looking
Office. / saw from his countenance that he
meant trouble. ! vacated my chair about
the time he reached me- The Governor, in
very abrupt manner said
Come back here with me-, at the same
time. motioning toward the rear. was
to XIII me-. me. | said: No. I viii not do Il
If you have anything TO say to me you can
mand to go e tHe rear Of the Office. af the
then stopped and again declined his invi-
tation in language exactly as repeated
above. He then deliberately spit IN my
his face. When j did this he turned loose
of my arm and made for his pistol. l then
saw that my only cnduce was 10 hnvch i.iiti
down. and struck with all my might at hts
face with my left hand. He sprang back ttr-
wards the door and my blow failed to reach
him He was going for his pistol. 1
sprang and grappled him and caught him
around his waist, pressing both his arms
to his side, but leaving his arms free to
act from the elbow down. By this time he
had his pistol drawn. Just then Repre-
sentative Roberts sprang in and grabbed
the weapon, and Immediately Represents
tive Pope also got hold Of the pistol IA Q
struggled to free the gun, while the Gtv-
ernor said:
Turn that pistol loose
Roberts declined, when the Governor
said you, Roberts; turn that pistol
loose
"About this time some grabbed me
around the waist / requested that the pis<
tol be taken from Clarke and then release
him Roberts and Pope declined. then
said: Give me a pistol and turn him loose
with his weapon.
''When the Governor saw that he was
overpowered he requested Pope to turn the
pistol loose, and said: i will not Kill him;
l promise you posluvely that | VIII not
kill him..
Senator Ward then requested me to
release my hold on the Governor. and asked
would take care of Governor Clarke. Final
ly / did go to my room, and remained there
ten seconds and returned to the ofilce, but
the Governor was gone
Governor Clarke said he did not care to
discuss the trouble through the press fur
ther than TO say. that he did not go 70 the
hotel with the view of making trouble but
only to tell MIR. Jones that he must desist
from Juggling his name into controversies
existing between members of the House.
The trouble which followed was not of his
making.