Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1901 — GEN. CLAY ROUTS A POSSE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GEN. CLAY ROUTS A POSSE

The Old Kentucky Warrior Shoots to Kill. PITCHED BATTLE AT HOUSE. The Hero of Two Wars and Many Duel* Defends White Hall Against Officers Who Attempt to Rescue Some Household > 'Goods* ▲ pitched battle, in which the participants were General ’ Cassius M. Clay, the old lion of White hall, on one side, and a sheriff’s posse, headed by Deputy Sheriff R. W. Collyer, on the other, took place Friday morning at White hall, the home of General Clay, eight miles north of Richmond, Ky. The officers were attempting to seize some househould goods belonging to Mrs. Mary K. Clay, the general’s daughter, which the general refused to surrender. Some time ago General Clay, who, since his divorce from his child wife, Dora Richardson Clay, has been living alone, induced his daughter and her son, Attorney Green Clay, to make their home with him. Everything went smoothly until Sunday, when the general’s daughter returned from the city with a number

of young girl friends. As the gay party drove up to the house General Clay appeared at the door and ordered his daughter and her girl visitors away, emphasizing his order with a revolver. Mrs. Clay returned to the home of her sister at Richmond and sent her son out to see what had caused the sudden hostility. He, too, met a hostile reception, and had to take refuge behind a tree to escape the murderous bullet of the irate old general. Seeing it was useless to try to pacify his grandfather, Green Clay secured a writ of delivery for the goods, and, accompanied by Officers Terrell and Kennedy and Deputy Sheriff Collyer, went to White hall this morning. The general met the officers at the door with a revolver and ordered them from the premises. When they endeavored to reason with him he opened fire. Deputy Sheriff Collyer jumped behind a tree and thus saved his life. After emptying his pistol the old fighter produced a Winchester and reopened the engagement. The officers opened fire on him, and for several minutes the fusillade was general. The officers returned to the city without the goods. It is the belief of Mr. Collyer that General Clay was slightly wounded during the fight Brutus J. Clay, son of the general, will endeavor to secure the goods by peaceable means. If this fails a strong posse may be ordered out by Sheriff Collyer to capture White hall. General Clay is 91 years old, and this late outbreak has led his friends to believe that his mind is unbalanced. Gen. Cassius M. Clay continues fortified at White hall against all comers. Jim Bowlin, the tenant who lives in the little cottage near the residence, is the only man who saw him Sunday. Bowlin went to take Gen. Clay the meals which Mrs. Bowlin had cooked. Gen. Clay continues on the alert and every time that Bowlin knocks the general appears, but always with a

pistol in his hand. Gen. Clay is spending the time writing the second part of his autobiography, which will contain the secrets of his private life. There are many incidents of great interest to the public, among them a probable explanation of the reasons for marrying his child wife, Dora Richardson. Brutus Clay, Gen. Cassius Clay’s son, says that his father is not insane and that his children have no intention of attempting to put him in an asylum. He says he thinks his father will give up the furniture belonging to Mary B. Clay and the sheriff will not be sent to White hall again.

GEN. CASSIUS M. CLAY.