Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-06
GENERAL CLAY SHOOTS At
SHERIFF AND DEPUTIES.
REPORTED THAT THE l. MAN
WAS WOUNDED IN HI
AFFRAY.
SECURELY LOCKED IN HIS DEN
STILL LOVES HIS FORMER CHILD
WIFE WANTS TO GIVE
HER HIS PROPERTY.


the cry of The vendetta, the vendetta
on his lips, Gen. Cassius Marcellus
Clay, the famous abolitionist and duel
list, and former United States minister
to Russia, this morning, led his little
body guard to battle against a sheriff
posse which had gone to White Hall,
his pwalatial mansion, in Madison coun-
ty, to serve papers upon the General in
a civil suit, instituted against him by
his daughter, Mrs. Mary B. Clay.
Many shots were fired on each side,
and the posse finally departed without
accomplishing the purpose of its visit.
1t is reported that Gen. Clay was
! wounded in the fray. Fleeing from
his supposed enemies, he barricaded
himself in his den" in the mansion,
and there remains, guarded by his
faithful servants. Whether or not he
is wounded, is known only to himself
and to his little body guard. Nd nhy-
stefan has been summoned to the house,
and non dare approach except on in
vitation.
To-day's conflict was directly con-
nected with the domestic woes of Gen.
Clay, which have darkened the closing
years OF his life.
The principals in the battle were
Gen. Clay and two of his body guard,
Bud Literell and Jim Bolin, on one
side, and Sheriff Colyer, Deputy Terrill
and Frank Mason, of Madison county,
on the other. The writ which the sher-
if sought to serve was Il ordering
the delivery Of some furniture belong
ing to the Generals daughter. The
officers approached the house from the
north, passing through the apple Or
chard.
The Generals Russian Bull Dogs
set up a barking and the officers stop
ped at the yard. The Generals body
guard promptly came to the door and
the sheriff announced that he desired
a personal interview with the master
of White Hall. General Clay in a
few moments came to the door, revolv-
er in hand.
General Clay, said the sheriff, I'VE
are here on a peaceful mission"
you are on my property without
leave and l will shoot you" replied tn
old man, who, almost blind, strained
his eyes as if trying to make out the
location of an enemy.
Don't shoot, General, we are
friends shouted Sheriff Colyer.
"Shots,% he returned, and handing
his pistol to one of his men he took
instead a repeating shot gun and
cooked it.
Sheriff Coyler sought shelter behind
a large oak tree nearby and his depu-
ties also hid themselves. All pulled
their weapons.
Gen. Clay shieked THE vendetta, the
vendetta and began firing in the di-
rection from which he heard the voices.
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 seeking shelter. Colyer was shoot
ing wild, also, not desiring to kill the
old man. who although doing his best
to kill him, believed he was firing upon
an emmy.
After Emptying the Shotgun,
Gen. Clay tried his revolver, which
would not fire. He then took from the
hands of the other guard a rife and
discharging it in the direction of the
frightened sheriff and deputies. Elk
hausting his ammunition, Gen. Clay
sought retreat. He went into his room
and putting up the bars, ordered his
men to adjust the pistols, which We're
three large navy weapons always kept
lying o. 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.
After Gen. Clay had reiterated into 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 Gen. Clay
to come out unarmed and meet them, but
in this they were not successful and they
returned without serving the process.
Sheriff Colyer says he will not bother Gen,
Clay tomorrow. but will wait till Mon
day before serving the papers.
Some months ago, Gen. Clay, who had
been left alone, after his chiId-wife, Dora
Richardson, ran away and left him. sent
for Mrs. Mary 3. 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 the release
of all claims on the property which he
occupies He wanted to give his property
to Dora,
The Young Divorced Wife.
who is now the wife of Riley Brock, and
resides at Pinckard. in Woodford coun-
ty, on property given her by the General.
Mrs. Clay wen away according to or
ders and returning a day or so later. was
met at the door by the old man. His eyes
were fiery. In his trembling hand he held
a revolver grasped tightly. He demanded
to know the result of the visit.
It's all right said the frightened
daughter.
'All right, is it?" retorted the infur-
lated man. You lie. 1 know you are de-
c~eiving me-"
Leveling his revolver at his daughter, he
added:
Leave my house and never come here
again"
Returning to his home. the old man
moaned:
"she was trying to deceive me. 1 could
tell it by her face
Securing a writ Of delivery for her fur
niture. Mrs. Clay placed the paper in the
hands of Sheriff Colyer. Gen CLAW still
loves the child he married, and although
she has now grown to womanhood and re-
married, he wants to give her his property.
which at his death goes to his children.
He thinks the Vendetta about which he
has talked and written for years. is on
and believed to-day that ~ Was shooting
at his enemies. coma 10 murder him IN