The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1895-04-11
s'iT in HIS FACE
Governor of Arkansas Wanted the
bod Of an Enemy
AND PULLED OUT HIS PISTOL
After sharp Struggle thc Two Engaged
Combatants Were parted-Legis.
'atiye Row C. used 1t.

Little Rock. Ark, April THE spec
tacle of an honorable member of the
Arkansas legislature. hyid with rage,
splitting in the face of the governor of
this commonwealth. quickly returned
by violent emssary of executive sa-
Iva upon the features of the lawmaker,
and a flourish Of fire arms in the hands
of the governor, was witnessed in the
lobby of Gleason's hotel here this after
noon, end was the result of the first
sensat al charges of bribery in con-
nection with the fire commission inves-
tigation bill sprung in the house of rep
resentatives yesterday by Representa-
tive Yance.' of Phillips county. Mr..
Jones, one of the principals of this af-
fair, rose to point of personal privilege
and denounced Governor Clark as be-
ing at the bottom of the charges. He
said that the governor was a dema-
gogue and was going around like the
assassin in the night, stabbing in the
back men who were his peers.
This afternoon Governor Clark went
into the lobby OF Gleason's hotel and re-
quested an interview with him. Mr.
Jones replied be would accompany the
governor nowl re, and If the governor
had anything =, say to him he must
make 1t known then and there. Hot
words followed and in fit of anger
Jones spat in the governors face. Gov
ernor Clark, rembling with anger re-
turned the insult and quick as a flash
drew his revolver, and the difficulty
might have resulted in bloodshed but
for the quick action of bystanders who
disarmed Governor Clark. The gov
ernor was later arrested by constable
and released on his own recognizance.
He viii. he says, plead guilty to the
charge of assault 'rmorrow morning.
Further trouble ma sue.
JONES TELLS MS STORY.
In statement of the occurrence, Civ.
Ell out tonight, Representative Jones
said:
II had just left the dining room after
dinner at Gleason's hotel and taken
seat in the office on the west SIDE fac
ing the east wall, quietly smoking a
cigar and not expecting any trouble
whatever Suddenly I heard the front
door open very abruptly and on looking
up saw Governor Clark enter the office.
/ saw from his countenance that he
meant trouble. vacated my chair about
the time he reached J. The governor
In very abrupt manner, said, Come
back with me- and at the same time
motioned towards the rear / was to-
tally uEarmed and felt that he intended
to kill me. 1 said, NO, will not do it,
If you have anythi1 o say to me, you
can say 1t to me here
He then caught me by the right arm
and commanded me to go to the real
office, at the same time pulling me a step
or two. l then stopped and again de
'clined his invitation in language exact
ly as repeated above. He then delib-
erately spat in my face. | returned tho
insult by splitting in his face. When
did this he let loose of my arm and made
for his pistol. saw that my only chance
was to knock him down, and struck al
hira with all my might with my left
hand, He sprang back towards the
door. and my blow failed to reach him
He was reaching for his pistol. / sprans
and grappled with him and caught him
around the waist, pressing both arms
to his side. but leaving 's arms free tc
act from the elbow dow BY this time
he had his pistol drawn. Just then Rep
resentative Roberts sprang in and grab
bed the weapon. He struggled to free
the gun, while the governor said, Turn
that pistol loose Roberts declined
when the governor said, Damn you
Roberts, turn that pistol loose.
about this time some one grabbed
me around the waist. 1 requested that
the pistol be taken from Clark and then
release him. Roberts and Pope declined.
I then said. Give me a pistol and turn
him loose with his weapon.
when the governor saw that he vas
overpowered, he requested Pope to n
the pistol loose, and said: I will not kill
him. promise you positively that
will not kill him.
Senator Willard then requested me
to release my hold on the governor and
asked me to go to my room, saying that
he would take care of Governor Clark
Finally did go to my room, remaining
there 10 seconds. and returned to the
office, but the governor was gone"
THE GOVERNOR SILENT.
Governor Clark says he does not care
to discuss the trouble through the pres.
further than to say that he did not &c
to the hotel with a view of making trou
ale. but only to tell Mr.. Jones that he
imYst desist from Juggling his name into
Controversies existing between members
of the house. The trouble which fol
lowed was not of his making.