May 31,
1883, Robert Cummings was killed in Madison, Monroe county,
by Clifton Wade. Several parties were at Madison on the day
of the occurrence, drinking freely, among, them Robert
Cummings, but Cummings had not created any particular
disturbance. Clifton Wade had also been drinking. Prior to
this--two or three months previously--Cummings and Wade had
a fight, the latter getting the better of his antagonist.
Last Saturday they both appeared to be prepared for war, and
got into a difficulty. Wade struck Cummings on the back of
the head with a weight, and as Cummings turned round, Wade
shot him in the forehead. He lived until about one o'clock
Sunday morning. No inquest was held on Cumming's body, and
no special effort made to arrest Wade, by the people of
Madison. Sheriff Jackson sent his deputies on Sunday, but
when they arrived, Wade could not be found. Four hundred
dollars were offered for Wade's arrest, but he has never
been found. |