The Forrest City times., 1895-04-12
SENSATIONAL ENCOUNTER

o'ierence OF Bystanders-They Spat In
Aach Others Face-Statcments of the
frincipals-'Twss n Sequel to Bribery
Charges In the Legislature.
ST. Louis, April s.-A special to the
Globe- Democrat from Little Rock. Ark.
says:
Little Rock citizens were treated to
another genuine sensation SUNDAY
afternoon. AS usual, it was the ont
come of legislative discussion on the
railroad commission bill and the causes
which led to the defeat of the meas
ure. The trouble was between Gov.
Clarke and Representative w. r.
Jones, of Madison county. When
MIR. Yancey made his startling
statement on the floor of the house
saturday Mr.. Jones, who was men,
Iioned IN connection with the bribery,
replied to the charges and referred to
Gov. Clarke in very uncomplimentary
terms. Referring to the governor. Mr..
Jones, said:
can tell you why this charge is
made right on the eve of adjournment.
Gov. Clarke, a man whom a few weeks
ago had not warmer friend in all this
state than |, charged, when the Rob-
lnson commission bill was defeated,
that the railroads had influenced the
forty-eight members who had voted
againstit. He was dared and invited to
prove the accusation, and, after all the
howl and hubbub, not spot was found
on any of the members. Now he knows
that he will have to besmirch and
blacken the records of these FORTY
eight members, and thereby DESTROY
their influence, or his political career
is ended forever. Mr. Yancey saws
that he acted under the advice of Gov.
clarke and Mr.. Manning. Has it come
to this that the chief executive of the
state will put spies on the tracks of
the peoples representatives to see what
they are doing? When he sent his
message to this body he did not even
intimate that he favored a rail-
road commission. When the fight
over the Robinson bill was on
he sent no special message
favoring it. No, he has gone about
this whole matter like an assassin n
the dark, with a knife up his sleeve"
JONES STORY.
What transpired Sunday can best DO
told by producing the statements of
the principals, Mr.. Jones said:
Il had just left the dining room
from dinner at Gleason's hotel and had
taken seat in the office on the east
side, facing the east wall, quietly
smoking cigar, and not expecting
any trouble whatever. Suddenly I
heard the front door open
very abruptly, and, on look-
ing around, l saw Gov. Clarke
enter the office. saw from his counte-
nance 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 totally unarmed, and
felt that he intended to kill me. l said:
No, will not do it; if you have
anything to say you can say it here
He then caught me by the right arm
with his left hand and repeated the
command to go to the rear of the office,
at the same time pulling me step or
two. l then stopped, and again de-
clined his invitation in language exact.
ly as repeated above. He then
deliberately spat in my face. I
returned the insult by splitting
in his face. When l did this he
turned loose of my arm and made
for his pistol. 1 then saw that nv
only chance was to knock him down,
and 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 90.
ing for his pistol. sprang and CRAP.
Piled with him and caught him around
the waist, pressing both of 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
Representative Roberts, of Madison,
sprang in and grabbed the weapon,
and Immediately Representative Pope
also got hold of the pistol. He strug-
gled to free the gun, while the gov
ernor said: Turn that pistol loose
Roberts declined, when the gov
ernor said: - - you, Roberts,
turn that pistol loose About this
time some one grabbed me around the
waist. requested that the pistol be
taken from Clarke. and then | would
release him, Roberts and Pope de-
clined. l 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: L will not
kill him; promise you positively that
/ will not kill him. Senator Word
then requested me to release my hold
on the governor, and asked that 90
to my room, saying that he would take
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