The Van Buren press., 1895-04-13
A STORMY SUNDAY.
Governor Clarke Draws q Pistol on
Representative Jones, Of Marion
e,nmnfY.

County.
From Little Rock Democrat Of the sth n
The all-absorbing topic of conversation " on
the streets today Ia an Affair which occurred III
the lobby of Gleason's Hotel about O'CLOCK
Yesterday afternoon. As told in the language
of the participants, the particulars are as
follows, an interesting and highly sensationai
sequel and counter sensation to the affair In the
house Saturday evening"
GOVERNOR cLARKEs STATEMENT.
When seen by Democrat reporter this
morning Governor Clarke made the following
statement:
I'm the forenoon of yesterday Commissioner
vincenheller indicated desire to see me at my
ofIice In the afternoon. Shortly after dinner l
started to my Office to meet him. A l was
walking by Gleason's Hotel I noticed Mr. Jones,
Of Marion county. sitting in the ONCE apparent
ly disengaged. ] stepped In to say to him that
thought 1t would be more proper for him. a. .
member of the House. to conduct his debates
without making me . text tor bis remarks see'
ing several gentlemen present who would not
have any interest in hearing this statement
asked him to step = short distance aside He
seemed TO become infuriated at my presence
and began talking In q vicious and boisterous
manner that was producing scene at my
expense. This unexpected turn precipitated
row, the details Of which will. as usual be
related differently by different persons. am
sure did nothing but what seemed to me
under the circumstances TO be proper"
On learning of the diiiculty between Governor
Clarke and Representative Jones. Of Marion. yes
terday afternoon, q Democrat reporter repaired
to Gleasons Hotel and. after being shown to MI
Jones' room, obtained from that gentleman the
following statements as TO his connection with
the difficulty:
Mr. JONES' STATEMENT.
about 2oclock this afternoon Sunday had
taken seat said Mr.. Jones. ION the east side
of the rotunda facing east. and WAS quietly
smoking cigar after having eaten my dinner.
Suddenly heard the front door open to my
back, and OH looking around saw Governor
Clarke enter the rotunda. arose to meet him
and felt intuitively that he had come there to
kill me. Mr.. Clarke approached me and said
Come back with me- pointing to the ante
chamber In the rear Of the rotunda. ! replied,
NO. won't go. Ifyou have anything to say,
say 1t here Mr.. Clarke then took hold OF my
right arm with his left hand and insisted. 'You
come along back here with me- said No,
will not and repeated, If you have anything
to aay to me, say 1t here.
SPIT IN HIS FACE.
HE Clarke then deliberately spitin my face.
I then spit In his face He let loose Of my arm
and went after his pistol with both hands.
When Clarke went after his pistol saw my only
chance was to knock him down, and struck at
his face with all my might. using my left hand
o. am left.handed by nature. He sprans back
some four feet still trying to get his pistol
then sprang at him and grappled with him.
got him around the waist pressing both Of his
arms to his sides leaving him the free use Of his
arms below the elbows. By this time he had
his pistol drawn. Just then Representative
Roberts, Of Madison county. sprang in and
grabbed the pistol The Governor struggled to
wrench the pistol from Mr. Roberts, spraining
Mr.. Roberta wrist severely. Representative
Polk, Of White county. then sprang to the
assistance of Mr.. Roberts. The Governor then
said Turn this pistol loose Mr.. Roberts said
Governor, will not Governor Clarke said,
'Robersts, G. you. turn this pistol loose.
then said, Take his pistol from him and turn
him loose This they refused 10 do. I then
said, Give me 3 pistol and turn him loose.
This they also refused. About this time Senator
Word, who had been holding me, said. Jones
you 20 to your room aud we will take care Of
the Governor Senator Word then released me
and released the Governor and went to my
room. remained in my room few moments
and returned to the rotunda Of the hotel aud
was informed that the Governor had gone out
with some friends.'
HON. W. c. ROBERTS STATEMENT.
"Ycs. l was present." said Hon. W. C. Roberts,
the member from Madison county. on being
interviewed by Democrat reporter this
morning. "Mr. Polk and had just come out
of the diniug-room when Governor Clarke
stepped into the lobby and spoke to Jones.
did not hear what he said. paid but little
attention to 1t, and in moment chairs began
tumbling and hot words were being banded by
the two. Clarke spst In Jones' face and Jones
returned the compliment in kind. Clarke then
started to draw his gun, when Jones struck al
him. the blow narrowly missing his face.
Clarke stepped back and drew pistol from In
front, and Jones grappled with him. Al this
juncture Polk and rushed up and grabbed
Clarke. caught his pistol BY the handle and
would not permit him TO use It
I'D you. Roberts, turn that pistol loose,
want TO kill him. said Clarke.
"At the same time he wrcnched ut the
weapon. severely sprsining my wrist" and Mr.
Roberts showed the injured member. which
had been bandaged. my hand dropped use
less. but still retained my grip with the other
by this time . number Of gentlemen had
e.