Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-06
CEN. C. M. CLAY
FIGHTS SHERIFF.
Barbados Himself and Turns
Loose on Officers,
CAUSED BY DOMESTIC WOES
when spoken TO, Called the Men
spies, Shouted "Vendeua! Vendet.
tai" and Began Firing.

Lexington KY April with the
cry, 1.-THE vendetta, the vendetta" on
his lips, Gen. Cassus Marcelus Clay
the famous abolltionist ana duellst,
and former United states minister to
Russia this morning led his little
bodyguord to battle against a sheriff =
posse, which had gone to Whitehall,
his palatial mansion in Madison coun-
" 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 It's visit.
1t is reported that Cen Clay was
wounded in the ARRAY, Fleeing from
his supposed enemies, he bauicaded
himself in his den in the mansion,
and there he remained guarded by his
faithful servants. Whether or not he
is wounded Is only known to himself
and to his little bodyguard No sur
geon has been summoned to the house,
ana none dare approach except on in
yitation.
Todays conflict was directly con.
nected with the domestic Woes of Gen.
clay which have darkencd the clos
Ing years Of his life The principals in
the battle were Gen. Clay and two of
his body guard, Bud Literel and Jim
Bolin on one side, and Sheriff CoyIer,
Deputy Terrlll and Frank Mason of
Madison county, on the other. The
writ which the sheriff sought 10 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
bulldog set up a barking, and the
officers stopped at the yard. The gen
trails bodyguard promptly came to the
door and the sheriff announced that he
desired a personal interview with the
master Of Whitehall
Gen. Clay in few moments came to
the door, revolver in hand.
. Gen clay" said the sheriff, 1--WE
are mere on a peaceful mission"
Gu are on my property without
leave, and ! will shoot you" replied
me Ola man, who, almost blind
strained his eyes as If trying TO make
out the location Of the enemy.
Don't shoot, general: we are
friends shouted Sheriff Colyed.
spies he retorted, and, handing
MS pistol TO one Of his men. be took
instead repeating shotgun ana cooked
Sheriff Colyer sought shelter behind a
large OAK tree near by and his deputies
also MD themselves. All pulled their
weapons.
Gen, Clay shrieked. "The vendetta
the vendetta and began firing in the
direction from which he heard the
voices, The sheriff fired In return az
Ter the general had emptied his
weapon and his deputies also fired, not
al the old man they say, but hoping 10
scare him into seeking shelter. Colyer
was shooting Wild also, not desiring
to Kill the old man. who although do
Ing his best TO kill him. believed 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
or the other guards a rifle and fired in
the direction of the frightened sheriff
and deputies. EXhausting his ammuni-
uon, Gen, 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 bowieknife and a butcherknlfe.
Stationing 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 70 the house 10 try TO
get Gen. Clay out unarmed and meet
them, but in this they were not success
full, and they returned without serving
the process. Sheriff Colyer SAYS he
Will not bother Gen. Clay tomorrow,
hut wait until Monday for serving the
papers.
Some months ago, Gen. Clay, who
had been left alone after his child
wife, Dora Richardson ran away and
left him, sent for Mrs. Mary h. Clay,
daughter TO come and live with him.
For some time they got along nicely,
and the veteran appeared TO be salts
fed, Two weeks ago he told his
daughter TO go to his family and Sc
cure their consent 60 the release Of all
claims on the property which he oC-
cupied. He wanted TO give the prop
erty 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.
Mrs. Clay went away according 60
orders 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 tight
~. He demanded to know the result
Of the visit.
ITS all right" said the frightened
daughter.
IAN right, is it?" retorted the in
furated man. you lie | know you
are deceiving me-" Leveling hfs re.
volver at his daughters head he added.
Leave my house, and never come here
again" Returning TO his rom the old
man moaned. she was trying TO de-
celye me. / could tell It by her face"
Securing a writ OF delivery for her
furniture. Mrs. Clay placed the paper
in the hands of Sheriff Colyer. Gen.
Clay still loves the child he married,
and although she has now grown to
and has remarked. he
wants 10 give her his property, which |
at his death will go to his children. |
He thinks the vendetta about which |
he has talked and written for years.
is on and believed today that he was |
at his enemies, come to muir |
der him In his own home.
VALET JONES CONFESSION.