Martha Clark vs. Wiley Webb, et al. – 1865
On July 20, 1864, fifteen men without civil or military authority kidnapped Orange Clark at gunpoint. Clark surrendered to the men, and while their prisoner he was shot multiple times. Clark’s wife, Martha, sued David Rusk, Monroe Scott, Hugh Challes, Thomas Halsell, Edward Halsell, Thomas Hockins, Hubbard Johnson, Daniel Johnson, John M Wilson, Wiley Webb, John Webb, James Tunnel, William A McRea, Isaac Scott and Richard Fisher for five thousand dollars in damages sustained from the murder of her husband, loss of quality of life and her ability to feed, cloth and educate her children.
Martha Hood claimed the same men murdered her husband, William Hood, on the same day.
John M. Richardson represented both Martha Clark and Martha Hood in their cases against David Rusk, Monroe Scott, Hugh Challes, Thomas Halsell, Edward Halsell, Thomas Hockins, Hubbard Johnson, Daniel Johnson, John M Wilson, Wiley Webb, John Webb, James Tunnel, William A McRea, Isaac Scott and Richard Fisher. The language used in both cases is very similar, and both plaintiffs ask for the same amount in damages. Guerrilla warfare plagued Missouri for over a decade. Many civilians spent the postwar years in court, attempting to receive restitution for the atrocities committed against their families.
Contributed by the Jasper County Records Center
