Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-06
1.-THE VENDETTA"
Is the BattIecry Of Venerable
Gen. C. N. Clay
As He Defends His Home Against
Sheriff and Posse.
Sheriff Driven Away Without Serving Papers
Clay Reported Wounded.


c. NJ. Clay, the famous abolitionist and
duellist and former United States
minister to Russia, this morning. led
his little body guard to battle against
a sheIiff's posse which had gone to
White Hall. his palatial mansion in
Madison county. to serve papers upon
the general in a civil case, instituted
against him by his daughter. Mrs
Mary b. Clay. Many shots Were fired
on each side and the posse finally lie
parted without accomplishing the pnr-
pose of it's visit.
1t is reported that Gen. Clay was
wounded in the ARRAY. Fleeing from
his supposed enemies. he barricaded
himself in his den in the mansion, and
there he remains, guarded by his
faithful servants. Whether or not he
is wounded is known only to himself
and to his little body guard. No ply
sician has been summoned to the house
and none dare approach except by in
vitation.
Today's conflict was directly con-
nected with the domestic woes of Gen.
Clay, which have darkened the closing
years of his life. The principals ia the
battle We're Gen. Clay and two of his
body guard. Bud Literell and Jim ,2o-
lin on one side. and Sheriff COlyer.
Deputy Terrill and Frank Mason Of
Madison county. on the other. The writ
which the sheriff sought to serve was
one ordering the delivery of some FUR
niture belonging to the generals
daughter.
The officers approached the house
from the north. passing through the
apple Clchard. The generals Russian
bull dogs set up q barking and the
officers stopped ut the yard. The gen
erals body guard promptly came to
the door and the sheriff announced tnat
he desired a personal interview with
the master of White Hall. Gen. Clay
in a few moments came to the door.
revolver in hand.
Gen. Clay" said the sheriff, Eve are
here OH a peaceful mission
"Ycu are on my property without
leave and l will shoot you reptile
the old man. who. almost blind. strain
cd his eyes as if trying to make out
the location of the enemy.
Don't shoot. general; we are
friends" shouted Sheriff Colyer.
Spies" he retorted. and handing his
pistol to one of the men. he took in
stead a repeating shot gun and cooked
it.
Sheriff Colyer sought shelter behind
large oak tree nearby and his denu
ties also hid themselves. All pulled
their weapons. Gen. Clay shrieknd:
THE Vendetta. the Vendetta" and be
gan firing in the direction from which
he heard the voices. The sheriff fired
in return after the general had emotied
the weapon. and his deputies also fired,
they say not at the old man. but in
the hope of making him seek shelter.
After cmptying the shot gun Cen
Clay tried his revolver. which would
not fire. He then took from the hands
of other guards another rifle and dis
charged it in the direction of the
frightened sheriff and deputies.
Exhausting his ammunition, Gen.
Cen Clay sought retreat. He went into
his room and putting up the iron bars.
ordered his men to adjust the pistols.
which were three large navy weapons
always kept lying on a dresser. He
armed himself with a large Bowie
knife and a butcher knife. Stationing
himself by the side of the door he
awaited further attack.
Sheriff Colyer says he will not bother
Gen. Clay. tomorrow, but will wait
till Monday before serving the papers.
Some months ago Gen. Clay, who had
been left alone when his child wife.
Dora Richardson. ran away and left
him. sent for Mrs. Mary b. Clay. q
daughter of the general, to come and
live with him. For some weeks they
got along nicely.
Two weeks ago he told his daughter
to go to her family and secure their
consent to the release Of all claims on
the prOperty which he occupied. He
wanted to give some of the property tC
Dora. the young divorced wife. who is
now the wife of Riley Brook. and re-
sides in Pinckard, in Woodford coun-
~. on the property given her by the
general.
Mrs. Clay went away. and returning
n day or SO later was met at the doc:
by the old man. In his trembling hant
he held a revolver grasped tightly. He
demanded to know the result of the
visit.
IT'S all right" said the frightane
daughter.
"All right. is it, retorted the infuri
cted man. You lie; 1 know you arr
deceiving me-
Lcveling his revolver at his daughter
re added: Leave my house and neve,
come here again"
Returning to his room. the old mar
nnoaned: she was trying to deceive
me. / could tell it by her face"
Securing writ of delivery for hel
furniture. Mrs. Clay placed the paper
IN the hands of Sheriff Colyer. Sen
Clay still loves the child wife he mar
ried. and although she has now grown
10 womanhood and mas remarked. h
wants to give her his property which
at his death goes to his children
He thinks the Vendetta aoou
which he has talked and written fo'
years is on. and believed, today. thai
he was shooting at his enemies WIS
came to murder him in his house.
The Sultan of Turkey, replying I
Emperor Williams telegram of con