The Monticellonian., 1895-04-12
SENSATIONAL ENCOUNTER

l Between Gov. Clarke and Representative Jones-Murder Prevented by Timely ln-
 terferenee or Bystanders-rhey spat in
 Each Others Faee-statements of the PrineiPals-'Twas Sequel to Bribery Charges in the Legislature.
 ST. LOUIS, April s-A special to the l Globe Democrat from Little Rock, Ark, says:
 Little Rock citizens were treated to another genuine sensation Sunday afternoon. As usual, it was the out 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 ". R. i Jones, of Madison county. When i Mr. Yancey made his startling statement on the floor of the house l Saturday Mir Jones, who was men, toned in connection with the bribery, replied to the charges and referred to Gov. Clarke in very uncomplimentary terms. Referring to the governor, Mr. 1 Jones, said:
 II can tell you why this charge is made right on the eve of adjournment. l Gov. Clarke, 6 man whom a few weeks ago had not a warmer friend in all this state than l, charged, when the Rob- inson commission bill was defeated, | that the railroads had influenced the l forty-eight members who had voted l againsti it. He was dared and invited to prove the accusation, and, after all the | howl and hubbub, not a 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 says 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 1t, Nc. he has gone about this whole matter like an assassin in the dark, with a knife up his sleeve.
 JONES, STORY.
 What transpired Sunday can best be told by producing the statements of the principals, Mr. Jones said:
 "I had just left the dining room from dinner at Gicas6ns hotel and had taken q seat in the office on the east side facing the east wall, quietly smoking cigar, and not expecting any trouble whatever. Suddenly l heard the front door open very abruptly, and, on look ing around, saw Coy. Clarke enter the office. l saw from his counte- nance that he meant trouble vacated my chair about the time he reached me. The governor in d 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, l will not do it; f 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 he 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 returned the insult by splitting in his face. When l did this he turned loose of my arm and made for his pistol. l then saw that my 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 go- ing for his pistol. sprang and grap. pied 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- l gled to free the gun, while the gov ernor said: Turn that pistol loose
 Roberts declined, when the gov turn that pistol loose' About this | JiAht SOIht OiiC IdbBGl llle around the waist. l requested that the pistol be taken from Clarke, and then 1 would release him Roberts and Pope de elined. then said: Give me pistol and turn him loose with his weapon. When the governor saw that he was i overpowered he requested Pope to turn l the pistol loose, and said I will not kill him; promise you positively that l 1 will not kill him. senator Word l then requested me to release my hold on the governor, amt asked that 1 go l to my room, saying that he would take care of the governor Finally did go | to my room, and remained there ten seconds, and returned to the office, but the governor was gone.
 GOV. CLARKE RETICENT.
 Gov. Clarke was seen by your corre- spoudent sunday night He said the 1 statement made by Mr. Joncs was false ill many essential particulars; that Jones did not spit in his face, nor did he telarhel enter the office of the hotel with tue view of causing trouble. He sald he saw Jones as he was passing the hotel ard went in to tell Jones that he must desist in lugging his name into controversies arising among members of the house. The governor declined to discuss the subject further
 SHOT FROM AMBUSH.