Evening journal., 1902-06-10
BRUTAL CRIME
X EXCITES CLAYTON
Constable Wright May Die
Of His Injuries
ATTACK Was UNPROVOKED
Warner Invited Victim Into His House
Then Without Warming Beat
Him Into InSeRSibilitV
speoaal 10 the EvenIng Journal.

Clayton, June 1O.-ln the annals of
Claytons history, the citizens of this
railroad centre have not been so much
aroused by a crime as they have by
the outrageous and murderous assault
committed upon Constable James ID.
Wright, of this town, on Saturday
night by Martin Warner a butcher.
Last week Mrs. Warner left her hus-
band and went to Wilmington, as his
inhuman treatment could no longer be
tolerated by the long-sHffering wife,who
time after time had left Warner, only
to return upon his promise to treat her
better. When Mrs. Warner decided to
leave her home last week. she told her
husband it was the final chapter Of
their unhappy marriage.
Warner was a tenant of Constable
Wright, who is seeking the Democratic
nomination for recorder of deeds of
Kent county The butcher accused Mr..
Wright and others of influencing his
CWarner's) wife to leave him, but was
later heard to say he was glad Mrs
Warner had gone. On Thursday War
ner closed out his butcher shop and
advertised to sell his fixtures. also sew
eral horses and other articles. as his
business, by his intemperate habits.
had gone to pieces.
Invited His Victim In
On Saturday he visited Wilmington.
and upon his return to Clayton alleged
he had seen Mrs. Warner, and that his
marital troubles had been satisfac-
torily adjusted Meeting Constable
Wright, with Representative John
Hutchinson. he invited the twomen into
his house in a very friendly manner,
stating to Mr.. Wright he had a little
matter of business he wished TO settle
with him. The three men were seated
in Warmers sitting room, Wright upon
the couch. when Warner walked over
to him and. without a word of warn
ing. struck the constable terrific blow
in the face knocking the officer of the
law senseless. Warner then proceeded
to bat the insensible mans face into a
jelly.
Representative Hutchinson. for the
moment. was dazed by the Judas-lil1e
proceedings Of Warner, who posed as a
friend of both men. He made a vain
attempt to stay Warner in his brutal
attack on Wright, but was no match
for the infuriated man. Running out
into the street, Mr. Hutchinson called
for help, but, strange to say no one
dared to enter Warmers home. War
ner thinking he had killed Wright
left the prostrate form lying on the
floor and coolly walked to the hotel
and bought a drink.
In his absence Mr.. Wright's friends
rushed into the house and the battered
and bruised constable was carried to
his home. For some unaccountable
reason no warrant was issued for War
ner until yesterday AFTERNOON. when the
affair became generally known, and
then there was considerable excitement
in Clayton.
Officers on His Track
Constable Charles Jones, of Smyrna,
was sent for, and ascertained that War
ner had gone to Wilmington yesterday,
stating he would return last night
Constable Jones deputized twelve men
to watch the trains. six being on each
side of the track when the train pulled
into Clayton last night, but Warner
did not appear. However, two friends.
who are working to save him. did get
off the train and go to Warmers
stables. One was a Maryland physi-
clan. the other an officer, and later de-
velopments in this case may involve
these two men.
Wright in Dying Condition
Mr.. Wright is, at this writing, in a
dying condition. His face is unrecog-