The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-12-27
A FIGHT OVER DORA.
Relatives of GeneralClay's Wife
Battle With Knives, Pts
tolls and Clubs.

Valley View, KY, Dec. 27.-The fight
between CIeH Richardson. at whose
house Gen. Cassius NJ CIay's wife
Dora, is staying, and his brother re-
suited in Clell going to Richmond and
swearing out a warrant for viii, ,charg-
ing him with shooting with intent to
kill
Investigation shows that the fight
was caused by VIII Bryant continuing
to remain at ClelPs house Bryant is
the young man whose attempt at sui
eide a few weeks ago was attributed to
his being in love with Dora William
Richardson and his brothers. John and
Tom, have urged ClelI to send viii
Bryant away. Bryant's father lives
within two miles of this place and he
could easily live at home if he so de-
sired.
John Richardson said today:
Il don't want sister Dora talked
about. She is being slandered because
Clen allows VIII Bryant to stay there
Clell is trying to get all the money he
can out of old Gen. Clay, and when 1
asked him to send Dora back to the
general, he said the general was afraid
to have Dora return to White Hall be
cause he believed his son Brutus would
have her killed or kidnapped. I do not
believe this, and told Clell so. The gen
era1 wants her back. Yes, VIII Bry-
ant and 1 had fight on the bridge af-
ter Clen and Will Richardson had their
fight. I met Bryant and told him that
he was the cause of all this trouble. H e
put his hand behind him as if to draw
a pistol, and knocked him down with
a piece of Scantling. He has told peO-
pie that he bought candy for Dora, and
has made the public believe that Dora
is in love with him, which is a lie.
want to save Dora from being slander-
ed and I want her to go back to White
Hail.
Tom Richardson corroborated John s
statement. Dora was seen at Clell'S
house. She said that the trouble be
tween Will and Clell was caused by
them telling lies about her, that VIII
brought it on and that John tried to
kill Will Bryant.
LAS have said all the time. I don't
know when I will go back to Mr.. Clay.
Will, John and Tom, my brothers, are
envious of Clell because they are not
getting any of the money that Mr.. Clay
is paying CleH to take care of me-
VIII Bryant said
''I am not afraid of John Richardson.
I don't know what he wanted to pick
a fuss with me for unless he wants to
die. He attacked me on the bridge
with his knife, and 1 bIuffed him into
dropping it. He then tried to hit me
with a stick, but I hit him. I then went
up town and got a pistol and came back
to have it out with him. but he had
gone. I understand that he went home
got his shot gun and laid in wait for
me near ClelPs. He may kill me, but I
am not afraid. Clells wife declares
that his brothers are angry because
Clen will not give them any of the
money he gets from Gen. Clay"
In his interview John said:
Il heard a man tell Cleu that he
could make from 81 600 to $1,000 out of
the case if he would manage it right. I
will not say who it was, but if 1 am
put on the witness stand, I shall tell
everything. Clell is keeping Dora away,
that's certain. He's keeping VIII Bry
ant there, which is causing Dora's rep
utation to be ruined. I don't see how I
can stand it much longer"
The fight came nearer ending fatally
for CleH than was believed at the time
He was standing in the gateway of a
big fence when VIII emptied his revol-
yer at him. Several bullets lodged in
the fence near where Clell was stand
ing. and they could not have missed
him far. The general opinion is that
bloodshed will follow. If not before
Wills trial it will come afterward-