The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-04-11
GEN. CLAY DEFlES OFFICERS.
Old r1an Fires Upon Sheriff and
Deputies Who Were Trying
To Serve Legal Writ.

Deputies VINO were Trying
To Serve Legal Writ.
A special from Lexington, Ky.. says:
With the cry, "The Vendetta!' on his
lips, General Cassius Marcellus Clay,
! the famous abolitionist and duelist
and former United States minister to
Russia, Friday morning led his little
! bodyguard to battle against sheriff's
posse which bad gone to Whitehall,
his palatial mansion in Madison coun-
ty, to serve papers upon the general in
civil case instituted against him by his
daughter, Mary B. Clay. Many shots
were fred on each side and the posse
finally departed without accomplishing
the purpose of its visit. It is reported
that General Clay was wounded in the
sffray.
| Fridays conflict was directly con-
nected with the domestic woes of Gen
eral Clay which have darkened the
closing years of his life.
The principals in the battle were
General Clay and two of his body
guard. Bud Literell and Jim Bolin
on one side, and Sheriff Colyer, Dep
uty Terrill and Frank Mason, of Mad
ison county, on the other.
The writ which the sheriff sought to
serve was one ordering the delivery Of
some furniture belonging to the gen.
erals daughter. The officers ap-
preached the house from the north,
passing through the apple orchard.
The generals Russian bulldog set up
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 interview with the master of
Whitehall. General Clay in few
moments came to the door, revolver in
hand.
General Clay" said the sheriff,
"we are here on peaceful mission. I"
"You are on my property without
leave and I will shoot you," replied
the old man, who, almost blind, strain
ed his eyes as if trying to make out
the location of an enemy.
"Don't shoot, general, we are
friends" shouted Sheriff Colyer.
"Spies!" he returned, and handing
his pistol to one Of his men, he took
instead repeating shotgun and cock
ed it.
Sheriff Colyer sought shelter behind
large oak tree near by and his depu.
ties also hid themselves. All pulled
their weapons.
General Clay shrieked, "The Ven
delta! The Vendetta!" and began
firing in the direction from which he
heard the voices.
The sheriff fred in return after the
general had emptied the weapon and
his deputies also fred, they say, not
at the old man, but hoping to scare
him into seeking shelter. CofyszY was
shooting wild also, not desiring to kin
the old man, who, although doing his
best to kill them, believed he was
firing upon an 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 and be-
gan discharging it at the frightened
sheriff and deputies. Exhausting his
ammunition, General Clay sought re-
treat. He went into the room and
putting up the iron bars, ordered his
men to adjust the pistols, three large
navy weapons, always kept lying on
dresser. He armed himself with large
bowie knife and butcher knife. Sta
tioning himself at the side of the door,
he awaited furthur attack.
After General Clay had retreated in
to his den Sheriff Colyer and his men
left the yard. They found a negro
boy, and sent him to the house to try
to get General Clay to come out un-
armed, and meet them, but in this
they were not successful, and they
returned without serving the process.
Sheriff Colyer announced that he
would wait day or two before trying
to serve the papers.
The trouble originated some months
ago when General Clay, who had been
left alone after his child-wife, Dora
Richardson, ran away and left him,
sent for Mary B. Clay, a daughter, to
come and live with him. For some
weeks they got along nicely and the
veteran appeared to be satisfied. Two
weeks ago he told his daughter to go
to his family and secure their consent
to release 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 Pinckard,
in Woodford county, on property given
her by the general.
The daughter went away according
to orders and, returning q day or so
later, was met at the door by the old
man: His eyes were fiery. In his
trembling hand he held revolver
grasped tightly. He demanded to
know the result of the visit.
'It's all right" said the frightened
daughter.
Cali right, is it?" retorted the in
furiated man. ''You lie. I know you
are deceiving me-" Leveling his re-
volver at his daughters head, he
added:
sLeave my house and never come
here again"
Miss Clay later on secured a writ Of
delivery for her furniture and placed
the paper in the hands of Sheriff Col
yer.