This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Clifton Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/6093 Message Board Post: Cameron Herald, Thur., 24 Sept 1903 Arrest - W. R. Clifton, for several years a citizen of Cameron, was arrested at Breckenridge where he had gone with his wife on Monday of this week in response to notification of the serious illness of their daughter who was visiting there. After his arrest, a complaint was filed against him in Cameron charging him with incest. The cases are not proper for discussion in a newspaper and we will leave the matter for settlement by the courts. = = = = = Cameron Herald, Thur., 1 Oct 1903 Arrest - “Wm. Clifton Jugged - A Brute in Human Form Who Ruined His Step-Daughter Who Was also His Niece” - from the Breckinridge Democrat - About 2-weeks ago, Miss Josephine Clifton, age about 20, came to this place from Cameron to visit friends who had formerly lived at that place. Last Saturday she became suddenly ill and Dr. Williamson was summoned. In a few hours, a boy was born which survived only a short time. In the meantime, Clifton and his wife were notified by telephone of the girl’s serious illness and Mrs. Clifton was advised to come at once. Both of them decided to come and were en route before the sheriff at Cameron received notice to arrest. When she learned Clifton was coming with his wife, the unfortunate girl panicked and begged he not be allowed to see her as he would carry out his threat and kill her in some way. For this reason Deputy Sheriff J. J. Day decided to meet the mail hack on which Clifton was a passenger out of town and make the arrest. Summoning ex-Sheriff E. J. Ward to accompany him, the hack was met at Bean’s Tuesday and the arrest made. Clifton did not show much surprise nor express any indignation when told the charges against him. His wife expressed belief he was innocent and said her daughter must have been out of her head when she made the charge. Mrs. Clifton, after arrival here, disclosed the fact her husband, before leaving Cameron had purchased a bottle of strychnine and a hyperemic syringe, stating a doctor had given instructions to administer the poison hyperdemically to her daughter if found necessary to “relive the pain.” Clifton was searched and produced the syringe but the strychnine could not be found. He admitted he had had it, but said he did not know what had become of it. His cell and clothing were searched but the bottle could not be found. Mrs. Clifton visited her husband in jail and asked him if he was guilty, seeming anxious he would assert his innocence but he parried and evaded answer and this shattered her faith in him. Clifton is about age 45. Indignation has increased with each development and public feeling is strong against the prisoner. Lynching has been openly and strongly advocated. This sentiment has been held in check with the argument that the matter ought to be left to the decision of the people in Cameron.