Assassinated Republican Arkansas politician. Brother of Arkansas Governor and U.S. Senator Powell Clayton. Born near Chester, Pennsylvania, a twin, Clayton served in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War and, with his brother Powell, became a carpetbagger to Arkansas in 1867. He served in the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1871 and in the Arkansas Senate in 1873, also serving as Speaker of the Senate pro tempore. He served on the first board of trustees for the Arkansas Industrial University (today the University of Arkansas) and helped found the Branch Normal College (today the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). He raised and led troops in the Brooks-Baxter War of 1874, siding with Joseph Brooks, and served as sheriff of Jefferson County for more then ten years. He ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1888, but lost to Democrat Clifton R. Breckinridge. After discovering the election was rigged, he started an investigation on the matter. He was killed on the evening of January 29th by an unknown assailant who shot through the window to the room he was staying in at a Plumerville boardinghouse, dying instantly. After his death, Clayton was declared the rightful winner of the election. His assassin was never found.
Assassinated Republican Arkansas politician. Brother of Arkansas Governor and U.S. Senator Powell Clayton. Born near Chester, Pennsylvania, a twin, Clayton served in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War and, with his brother Powell, became a carpetbagger to Arkansas in 1867. He served in the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1871 and in the Arkansas Senate in 1873, also serving as Speaker of the Senate pro tempore. He served on the first board of trustees for the Arkansas Industrial University (today the University of Arkansas) and helped found the Branch Normal College (today the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). He raised and led troops in the Brooks-Baxter War of 1874, siding with Joseph Brooks, and served as sheriff of Jefferson County for more then ten years. He ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1888, but lost to Democrat Clifton R. Breckinridge. After discovering the election was rigged, he started an investigation on the matter. He was killed on the evening of January 29th by an unknown assailant who shot through the window to the room he was staying in at a Plumerville boardinghouse, dying instantly. After his death, Clayton was declared the rightful winner of the election. His assassin was never found.
Bio by: The Mystery Man
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