Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1856-02-09
Still Game.

Horace ITceIy, TIE pIIuoeoPhi| H"'''
zionist, in writing to his paper, the New
York Tribune, an account of the attack
made upon hip by the Hon. Mr. Rust, OF
Arkansas, gives the following version OF 1t:
have heard since | came here good
deal of the personal violence 10 which |
was exposed, but only one man has OF
fered 10 attack me Till to-day, and he was
so drunk that he made poor fist ii. In
fact do not remember that any u.an ever
seriously attacked me ill now.
was conversng with two gentlemen
on my way down from the Capitol, after
the adjournment of the House This after
noon when stranger requested a word
with me. stopped, and my friends went
on. The stranger, who appeared in the
prime of life. six feet high, and who must
weigh over two hundred, thus began
as your name Greely :"
"Yes."
"Are you non-comhatant 2"
"That is according TO circumstances.
The words were hardly out Of my
mouth, when he struck me stunning
blow on the right side of my head, and
followed il by two or three more, as rap
Iidlv as possible. My hands were still III
nv greal-coat pockets, for had no idea
that he was about to strike. He stagger-
ed me against the fence of the walk from
the Capitol 10 the Avenue, but did not
get me down. Irallied as soon as posi-
Bile, and saw him standing several feet
from me, with several persons standing or
rushing in between us. | asked, "W no
| is this man 81 don't know him., and
understood him TO answer, with an I'M
precation, you'll know me hereafter, -
when he turned and went down towards
the street. No one answered my inquiry
directly, but some friends soon came up,
who told me that my assailant was Albert
Rust, Nj. G.. from Arkansas. He gave no
hint of any cause or preteXt he may have
had for this assault, but must infer that
it is 10 be found in my structures in Mon
days Tribune Qeuer of Thursday even
ing IasD on his attempt TO drive Mr.. Banks
out of the field as candidate for Speak
er. by passing resolution inviting all the
present candidates 10 withdraw. | thought
that a mean trick, and said so most deci.
dedly | certainly think no better OF II
now that have made the acquaintance OF
its author.
The bully turned and walked along {;
followed, conversing with two G,ieIds.--
Crossing Four-and-a-haIf streets, they
dropped behind 10 speak to acquaintances,
and |, walking along toward the National
Hotel, soon found myseIfin the midst OF
a huddle of strangers. One of these turn
ed short upon mel saw it was my for
mer assaiant--and said, "Do you know
me now ?" answered, eyes ; you are
Rust, of Arkansas" He said something
of what he would do if were combat
ant, and replied that | claimed no exemP-
ton on that account. He now drew a
heavy cane, which had not seen before,
and struck heavy blow at my head,
which | caught on my left arm, with nc
other damage Than a rather severe bruise.
He was trying to strike again, and was
endeavorIng TO close with him, when sew
eraI persons rushed between and separa-
ted us. | did not strike him at all, nor lay
a finger on him but it certainly would
have been pleasure TO me, had been
able, to perform the public duty of knoch.
ing him down. | cannot mistake the
movement of his hand on the Avenue, and
am sure it must have been toward pis-
tol belt. And the crowd which surround
ed us was nearly all Sourhern, as he
doubtless knew before he renewed his al
tack on me.