The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-04-08
A TIOLINT GOVERNOR
Arkansas Chief Magistrate in a
Disgraoeful Row,
sPAT IN A LEGISLATORS FACE.

The Insult Was Returned and the Gov
srnor Then Drew His Revolver and Was
Prevented from Becoming a Murderer
by the Interference of Friends.
LITTLE Rock, April S.--The spectacle of
an honorable member of the Arkansas
legislature, livid with rage splitting in the
face of the governor of this commonwealth,
quickly returned by a violent emission Of
executive saliva upon the angered features
of the lawmaker, and a flourish of fire
arms in the hands of the governor, was
witnessed in the lobby of Glasons hotel
here yesterday afternoon and was the re-
suit of sensational charges Of bribery in
connection with the railroad commission
bill sprung in the house of representatives
on Saturday by Mr. Yancey, of Phillips.
county. Mr. Jones, of Marion county, Oh
Saturday arose to a point of personal priv
uege and denounced Governor Clarke as
being at the bottom of the charges. He.
said that Governor Clarke was dema-
gogue and was going around like an as
sassin in the night with knife, stabbing
In the back men who were his peers
Yesterday afternoon Clarke met Jones
in the lobby at Gleason's and requested
private interview with him. Jones replied
that he would accompany the governor
nowhere, and that if the chief executive
had anything to say to him he must make
1t known Hot words followed and in a
fit of anger Jones spat in the governors
face. Governor Clarke, trembling with
anger, returned the insult, and as quick as
flash had drawn his revolver, and the
difficulty might have resulted in bloodshed
but for the quick action of bystanders, who
disarmed the governor Governor Clarke
was later arrested by constable and re-
leased on his own reoognizance. When
arraigned in court this morning he pleaded
guilty to the charge of assault and paid his
fine. Further trouble may ensue.
In statement of the occurrence Repre-
sentative Jones said: II had just left the
dining room at the Gleason hotel and
taken a seat in the office on the east side,
quietly smoking cigar and not expect
ing any trouble whatever. Suddenly
heard the front door open very abruptly,
and on looking around l saw Governor
Clarke enter the office 1 saw from his
countenance that he meant trouble.
vacated my chair about the time he
reached me. The governor, in very alb
rupt manner, said: Come back here with
me, at the same time motioning toward
the rear. was totally unarmed, and felt
that he intended to kill me. 1 said: No,
| will not do it,. If you have anything to
say to me you can say it here.
HE then caught me by the right arm
with his left hand, and repeated the com
mand to go to the rear of the office, at the
same time pulling me a step or two. l
then stopped and again declined his invi-
tation. He then deliberately spat in my
face. returned the insult by splitting in
his face. When / did this, he loosed my
arm and made for his pistol l then saw
that my only chance was TO knock him
down, and 1 struck with all my might at
his face with my left hand He sprang
back toward the door, and my blow failed
to reach him He was still reaching for
his postol. sprang forward, grappled him
and caught him around the waist, pressing
both arms to his side, but leaving his arms
free to act from the elbow down. By this
time he had his pistol drawn, and Repre-
sentative Roberts rushed forward and
grasped it,
Gust then Representative Pope also got
hold of the pistol. He struggled to free
the gun, while the governor said: Turn
that pistol loose Roberts declined, when
the governor said; 'D-n you, Roberts,
turn tha5 pistol loose, About this time
some one grabbed me around the waist.
requested that the pistol be taken from
Clarke, and then release him. Roberts
and Pope declined. 1 then said; Give me
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; L will not
kill him; promise you positively will
not kill him. SsSenator' Ward then re-
quested me to release my hold on the gov
ernor, and asked that 1 go to my room,
saying that he wouldtake care of Cover
nor Clarke. Finally aid go to my room
and remained there ten saconds, and then
returned to the office, bJt> the governor
was gone"
Governor Clarke said he didApot care to
discuss the trouble through the public
press, further than to say that he. did not
| go to the hotel with the view of making
trouble, but only to tell Mr., Jones thet he
must desist from Juggling his nameSapto
controversies. The trouble which followed
| was not of his making.