The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-06
GEN. CLAY'S ANTICS
THE OLD KENTUCKY FEUDIsT Is
CLEAN DAFT.
HAS THE "VENOETTA' FEVER.
DRIVES AWAY HIS DAUGHTER AND
STANDS OFF POSSE.

Furniture-Wants to Give His
Property to His Ex-Wife, who Is
Now Remarried-WIs Leading
AbOIitiOnist and Former Minister
TO Russia.
Lexington. Ky. April 5.-With the cry
THE vendetta! The vendetta" on his
lips, Gen. Cassius Marcellus Clay the
famous abohtionist and duelist and for
mer United States minister to Russia. this
morning led his little bodyguard to bat
tie against sheriffs posse, which hat
gone to Whitehall 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 departed without accom-
plishing the purpose of its visit. 1t Is re-
ported that Gen. Clay was wounded IN
the affray. Fleeing from his supposed en-
emies, he barricaded himself in his
den" in the mansion and there he re-
mains, guarded by his faithful servants.
Whether or not he is wounded is known
only to himself and to his little body
guard. No physician has. been summoned
to the house and none dare approach ex-
cept on invitation.
To-days conflict was directly connected
with the domestic woes of Gen. Clay
which have darkened the closing years
Of his life.
The principals in the battle were Gen.
CLAW tvyn NJ hOduptgard R1Id
Literell and Jim Bolin on one side; and
Sheriff Colyer. Deputy Terrell and
Frank Mason of Madison county on the
other. The writ which the sheriff sought
to serve was one ordering delivery of
some furniture belonging to the Generals
daughter. The officials approached the
house from the north. passing through
the apple orchard. The Generals Rus
sian 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 @
personal interview with the master Of
White Hail. Gen. Clay In a few mo-
ments came to the door, revolver in
hand.
Made 1t Warm for Sheriff.
"Gen. 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 the 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 Coyer.
"Spiesv 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
large oak tree near by and his deputies
also hid themselves. All pulled their
weapons.
Gen Clay shrieked:
THE vendetta! The vendettar and
began firing in the direction in which he
heard the voices.
The sheriff fired in return after the
General emptied the weapon and his depu-
ties also fired; they say not at the old
man, but hoping to scare him into seek
ing shelter. Colyer was shooting wild al
so. not desiring to kill the old man, who,
although doing his best to kill him, be-
lieved he was firing upon an enemy
After emptying the shotgun, Gen. 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 sheriff and deputies.
Exhausting his ammunition, Gen. Clay
sought retreat.
Barricaded I'm His Room.
He went into his room, and
putting up the iron bars, or
dered his men to adjust the pistols, which
were three large navy weapons always
kept lying on a dresser. He armed him.
self with a large bowie knife and a butch
er knife. Stationlng himself by the side
of the door he awaited further attack.
After Gen. Clay had retreated 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 TO meet them, but
In this they were not successful, and
they returned without serving the pro-
cess. Sheriff Colyer says he will not
bother Gen. Clay tomorrow, but will
wait until Monday before serving the
papers.
Some months ago Gen. Clay, who had
been left alone after his hild-wife, Dora
Richardson, ran away and left him, sent
for Mrs. Mary B. Clay, daughter, 10
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 ocL
cupied. He wanted to give the property
to Dora, the young divorced wife, who
is now the wife of Riley Brock, and re-
sides at Pinckard, in Woodford county.
on property given her by the General
RepuIsed sis Daughter.
Mrs. Clay went away according to or
ders, and returning a day or 80 later was
met at the door by the old man. His eyes
were fiery. In his trembling hand he held
a revolver graspcd tightly. He demanded
to know the result OF the visit.
ITS all right" said the frightened
daughter.
"All right II it?" retorted the infuriated
man you lie. know you are deceiving
ne" Leyeling the revolver at his daugh-
ter. he added:
Leave my house ana never come here
again.
Returning 10 his room. the old man
mOaned;
"she was trying 10 deceive me- could
tell II by her face"
Securing a writ of delivery for her fur
nlture. Mrs Clay placed the paper IN
the hands OF Sheriff coiyer Gen Clay
snll loves the child he married, and al
though she has nov Grown 20 woman.
hood sn1 has remarked he wants 70 give
her he property, which af HE death g0es
10 he children. Ife thinks the "yer.