The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-06
But Were Not Permitted to Enter
the Once-Fnmous Kentuckian.
BARRICADED IN HIS DEN
WHERE POSSIBLY HE MAY BE SUI.
FERING FROM A WOUND.
Still i'm Love with Young Divorced
Wife and Anxious to Give
Her All His Property.

LEXINGTON, Ky, April 5.-With the
cry THE vendetta The vendetta!" on his
lips. Gen. Cassus Marcellus Clay, the IA
nous Aboitionist and duelist and former
United States minister to Russia, this morn
ing led his little bodyguard to battle
against a sheriff's posse, which had gone TO
White Hall, his palatial mansion. in Madi-
son county, TO serve papers on the general
in a civil case instituted against him by
his daughter, Mrs Mary B. Clay. Many
shots We're fired on each side, and the posse
finally departed without accomplishing the
purpose of its visit. 1t is reported that
General Clay was wounded in the affray.
Fleeing from his supposed enemies, he bar
ricaded himself in his den" in the man.
sion, and there he remains. guarded by his
faithful servants. Whether or not he is
wounded is known only to himself and to
his little bodyguard No physician has
been summoned to the house and none dare
approach except on invitation.
To-days conflict was directly connected
with the domestic woes of General Clay
which have darkened the closing years Of
his life. The principals in the battle were
General Clay and two of his bodyguard,
Bud Literel and Jim Bolin. side,
and Sheriff Colyer, Deputy Terril and
Frank Mason. of Madison county. on the
other. The writ which the sheriff sought
to serve was one ordering the delivery of
some furniture belonging to the generals
daughter. The officers approached the house
| from the north, passing through the apple
| orchard. The generals Russian bulldogs
| set up a barking and the officers stopped
at the yard. The generals bodyguard
promptly came to the door and the sheriff
| announced that he desired a personal in
| terview with the master of White Hail.
| General Clay, in few minutes, went to
| the door, revolver in hand.
General Clay said the sheriff, I'VE are
| on a peaceful mission
"You are on my property without leave
| and | will shoot you," replied the old man,
| who. almost blind, strained his eyes if
trying to make out the location of an
| enemy.
| Don't shoot, general; we are friends"
| shouted Sheriff Colyer.
Spies he retorted, and, handing his
pistol to one of his men, he took instead a
repeating shotgun and cooked it,
Sheriff Colyer sought shelter behind q
large oak tree near by, and his deputies
also hid themselves. All pulled their
vendetta. The vendettar and began fir
| ing in the direction from which he heard
the voices.
TRIED TO SCARE HIM.
| The sheriff fired in return after the
| general had emptied the weapon and his
deputies also fired. they say, not at the
old man but hoping to scare him into seek
ing shelter Colyer shooting wild. also
not desiring to kill the old general, al
though he was doing his best to kill him.
! believing he was firing upon enemy.
After emptying the shotgun. General
| Clay tried his revolver which would not
fire. He then took from the hands Of the
| other guard rifle and discharged it in
| the direction of the frightened sheriffs and
deputies Exhausting his ammunition.
| General Clay sought retreat. He went into
his room and, putting up the iron bars
ordered his to adjust the pistols
three large navy weapons, always kept ly-
ing on a dresser. He armed himself with
| a large bowie knife and butcher knife. Sta
| tioning himself by the side of the door, he
| awaited further attack
After General Clay had retreated into
his den Sheriff Colyer and his men left the
| yard They found negro boy and sent
1
to come out unarmed and meet them. but
| in this they were unsuccessful and they
| returned without serving the warrant
| Sheriff Colyer says he will not bother Cen
| eral Clay tomorrow, but will wait until
| Monday before serving the warrant.
| Some months ago General Clay. who had
| been left alone since his child wife, Dora
| Richardson, ran away and left him. sent
| 10
come and live with him. For some weeks
they got along nicely and the veteran ap-
peared to be satisfied. Two weeks ago he
told his daughter TO go to his family and
secure their consent to the release of all
claims on the property which he occupies.
He wanted to give the property to Dora,
the young divorced wife. who is now the
wife of Riley Brock and resides at Pinck-
ard, in woodford county. on property given
her by the general. Mrs. Clay went away
according to orders and returned day or
so later and was met by the old man.
His eyes were fiery. In his trembling hand
he held revolver grasped tightly. He de-
manded TO know the result OF the visit.
ITS all right" said the frightened
daughter.
| "All right, is iI?' retorted the infuriated
man. You lie. l know you are deceiving
| me-"
Leveling his revolver at his daughters
head he added: Leave my house and new
| er come here again.
| Returning To his room the old man
| moaned: ''She is trying 10 deceive me.
| could tell IL by her face
Securing writ OF delivery for her fur
| niture. Mrs. Clay placed the paper In the
hands of Sheriff Colyer.
General Clay still loves the child he mar