The Washington herald., 1908-05-22
CLARK ATTACKED UNAUARES
Florida Member Tells of Assault by
ex-Gev. Jennings.
Returning from South He Gives
Correct Version OF Hotel At
fair at jacksonville.

Editor Tbs Washington Herald
Returning from Florida last night, MY
attention was to-day called to what pur-
ports to be a telegram from Jacksonville.
Fla. under date OF May II, and contained
IN your issue OF last Monday, relating 10
an occurrence last Sunday morning in
the Aragon Hotel. at Jacksonville, be-
tween ". Sherman Jennings, a cousin Of
William Jennings Bryan and myself
do not know who your correspondent
is. but / DO know that Il would be very
hard to crowd In the space the item oe-
eupies more Of falsehood than he has
furnished TO your readers. Tie item Is
very unjust to me, and ! presume you
will right the wrong
I can't express myself as I would Ike
TO, as I am sure you would not publish
IL 1 would Ike 20 let your readers kaow
what said about this man Jennings, but
as you don't want to take chances on his
bringing a libel suit I viii have to torego
that
Your correspondent says I attacked
Jennings for opposing me. This is not
true. was nominated for the third time
fast Tuesday, and there was no opposing
candidate.
Jennings was a candidate In the prl-
mary for national committeeman. and /
was opposing him. IN my speech in Jack
sonville last Saturday night, 7 arTeigned
him severely. Sunday morning last
was standing IN the lobby OF the ATagon
Hotel, at Jacksonville. with two gentle
men. VIZ. Dr. Nunnally. a Baptist minis
ter. who is president OF a Baptist coll
lege In our state, and Mr.. NJ. II. Scar
borough Jr,, a young lawyer. Ne were
standing near the large entrance doGr
leading 10 the street Ny back was
squarely toward the door and about two
feet from IL. I had my glasses on and
was examining a little folder containing
the Programme Of Dr. MunnsllYs college
commencement exercises, which the dee
tor had just handed me. had Z crook
handle hickory cane OF about i've
eighths OF an inch In diameter. hanging
on my right arm. While In the position
described. and engaged in examining The
little folder as stated, this man Jennings.
who is a great deal larger and stronger
than ! am, sneaked up behind me. and
without saying a word and without Civ
ing me the slightest notice that he was
there, snatehed the cane from my arm
and struck me three terrific blows in
quick succession on my head. The first
blow surprised and stunned me some
what. but. after he struck the third one,
turned on him and soon took the cane
from him, and Just as I got possession
OF It the crowd in the lobby pulled US
apart, and I did not have an opportunity
TO strike him.
Most NJ eftfrgoIrF sid l,
know he was there until he had struck
me on the head three times. as stated.
would like to characterize him herein as
he deserves. but honest and brave men
can judge Of him. Not a soul present
viii deny these statements. I ask that
you publish this, together with the sub
joined statement Of nine disinteTested
eye-witnesses in justice to me.
FRANK CLARK.
Washington. May q.
Shortly after the occurrence a friend
Of Mr.. Clark penned a statement. which
was circulated among and signed by
nine disinterested witnesses, giving their
version Of the affair. This statement is
as follows:
Aragon Hotel this morning when " Sherman Jea-
nngs, former governor Of the State Of Florida as
saalted Hon Frank Clark member Of Congress
irom the Second Congressional distrlet of Florida
and witnessed the same. That the facts are IS fol-
lows
Clars was standing near the large entrance door
Of the hotel with Dr.. Nunnally, president Of Co
lumbia College, and n H. Scarborough, ir., an at
foFney Of Jacksonville. ClsTks back vas 10 the
door; he had his sDectscles on and had document
Of some kind IN his hands which he seemed to be
reading he had a walking cane with & crock handle
hanging on his right arm; his hack some two or
three fest from the door leading 20 the street Jeu-
ninss came up behind CLARK, seized his cane and
struck Clark ever the head several times his
lClarksl back being toward Jennings.
We are sure Clark did not see Jennings until
Jennings had hit him CLARK with the stiok two
or three times
81 NJ SCARBOROUGH. u.
O. f. DOBBINS
E. l. SCOTT
7. p. HERNDEN.
J. R BRYCE.
.. J. GRACEY.
y. II. THARIN.
II II