The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-27
TAe Wise and RAdHw~y DiaAcuity IN Raeh-
~ orHKn SIDE OF THE sToRY-ExrRAoRDINARY

been subjected course Of most abusive assault through
ssnsng or replying to which his Official position nothing
che, has necessarily precuded him. As for mysei J
have been restrained from resentment by my fathers -
Uarance, well by that Of other friends that tho cna
yAcser and reputation Of the editor Of the WIG were not
such as To permit my taking any notice Whatever OF nus
conduct.
have until yesterday, acted on the advice thus re-
oetved But the Of conduct pursued by Mr. Rdg
way has been so continuously oensive 70 my feelings
NAT have determined without consultation with
ny sne 10 punish insults more painful TO me than they
lad been applied directly 70 myself This determination
my part has resulted in breach Of the peace, and
SeeI bound refer the community in which this has
surred 10 these facts which viii serve, trust az com
D'sts yndicst0n a. the step which have taken o.,.
ny between Mr.. Mdgway and myself
On Thursday afternoon my attention called TO an
NJ then determined TO resent Mr.. Rdgway's conduct
On Friday, at about one O'Clock went to the Wig
sace with an ordinary walking stick IN my hand put
way, and was told that would find him two flights Of
stairs above Reaching the third story, entered room
where three four persons at work. Here was
afsrmed that Mr. Rdgways office was the second room
from that which had entered Passing through the in
termediate room, knocked at Mr.. Rdgway's door He
was alone within and babe me enter. entered, closed
NE door, and inquired whether was addressing M
Dene even BY sight J He assented by . nod. then
announced my name, and said have come, sir 70 in
rm you that your nsolence towards my father has be-
come indispensable" he made reply, but arose from
M seat and evidently attempted TO seize stick standing
near him against the wall Before be reached the stick
Win my cane seized his cravst with my eft hand and
dragged him TO the middle OF the ROOM where struck
Inn few slight blows over the head and more severe
blows the back and shoulder. had not stricken
him more than about six or eight blows before he sue
seeded In catching my stick with both hands still held
md in this position struggled with him. endeavorng to
throw him of his feet In the struggle forced him
roughly against the door, also against stove near the
door but not believe, nictng on him any severe pain
after he had seized my stick During the struggle he
called loudly and repeatedly for assisanco repeating
az nS o on
than three) entered the ROOM One of these caught me
BY the arms and pulled my LEFT hand from Mr. Rdgway's
threat. Another stepped between Mr.. Ridgway and
myself; but l was permitted 10 hold my
With my right hand, Mr., Rdgway ~ still holding tl,a
ing me then told me that must leave. l an
swered, "Make him, then, let go my stick" Mr. Ridg
way still held the stick with his left hand, and seized
another stick with his right hand No person bad hold Of
him at the time, and he made gesture to strike
ne with the stick held in his right hand then said,
am 10 be held let him be held too The man standing
next him Immediately answered, "He shall not strike
ysu, sir" and seized Mr.. RidsTay's arm Mr.. Rdgway
Nhen released his hold on my stick, SAYING 81 will not
srike him. and adding, 81 will settle this in another
way" words Of q similar import He also exclaimed,
me the released me- and said 'You had better leave
now, sir" answered, ~ will eave;" and Immediately
retired from the room.
and received scratch bruse in any manner. Dur
S the struggle he seemed much frightened and made
eort except to seize and hold my stick and call for
lance Some the blows which struck must have been
By these blows several inches were broken Of
Ne end Of my STICK and the larger fagmen}remaning in
uonhand was much splntered.
The persons who nterfered TO separate Mr.. Ridgway
and myself did without unnecessary violence towards
either of u.s. and behaved in every way fairly and respect
fully towards each.
Such are the facts as they occurred. have stated
sbem without addition or omission as faithfully as my
memory and with the assistance of notes pre-
pared immediately after the occurrence.
Nr Ndgways statement, contained in the Wing of this
morning embodes assertions which he must know 10 be
SAke Before assaulting him did to him my
did not "mutter" the words which addressed
10 him, but pronounced them distinctly He did not offer
He asked me no questions whaev er, nor did
DO utter word in my until he called aloud for
assistance. He did strike me; not blow did receive
from him. He was attempting TO seize his cane when
sragged him from He did not tell any time to
leave the When he seized his stick 10 strike me
with i was held by both arms did not ask him not
nit him TO strike while was held &c did not say
that he would not strike until after his arm had been ar
rested.
His assertion that was appeared 10 be, intoxicated
papable falsehood. With reference 10 each Of these
particulars Mr. Rdgwsy has been guilty Of false state
FOR his inselence To my father have secured just
retxibuuon.
Gaming, which he bad not the courage 70 return
with q single blow. He has dsgrsced himself by the
manner which be provoked my resentment ey calling
Sise and weight-by cowardly attempt 70 strike me
while was held and BY seeking TO screen his oowardice
under series Of wiful fAlsehoods.
have acted in this matter without consultation with
any one, without informing any one Of my Intended &C
cn and contrary TO advice previously received from ny
msniy Of which am member, will consider my con-
dscs jusaeable when viewed in connection with the cir
csmsances which occasioned H. o. JENNINGS WISE.
RcHnoED, SATURDAY, Jan. %, 1855.
ANOTHER APPEAl PUBLIC FROM MR.. MIDWAY
The following correspondence passed between M. O.:
Jennings Wise and myself on Saturday. may be said
lit ne pyop In.
unusual and desperate one. admit IT, But there are
precedents even in Virginia community OF propositions
stall sperate being accepted and acted cut 20
bloody conclusion maintain that some such proposition
was my only alternative For could not recognise Mr..
wise entitled any notice from under the code Of
honor BY the mode and manner OF his assault he had
forfeited all claims 10 be considered as within the pale Of
that code As he had commenced proceedings rreguar,
and violation Of the code had 70 pursue him, At all
regulary and In disregard OF the CODE could not allow
him take advantage Of his own wrong-thSt Is could
not allow violate the code and then round and
claim the protection OF the code therefore submitted TO
him proposition impressed with all the elements Of
perect equality and fairness And nothing but perfect
equality and Harness could reconcile TO the adop
hon Of even irregular course q proceeding could
consent " take Mr. O. Jennings Wise at dsad-
vantage, and by SURPRISE an he did me. therefore,
repeat offered him perfectly fair proposition He de-
clined H. and nYed course Of proceeding according "to
the usage which obtains among geniiemen-tha' s, IN
accordance with the code. Tncreupon / concluded my
correspondence with him. satisfied from the whole tenor
Of hs letter that he woad accept proposition outside OK
the code, and OF an irregular character.
may add tina, am not welded TO the particular propo-
sision Submitted 80 him. offered Il because appeared
70 good any and perfectly fair and equal In the
decision Of the differences between amounted simply
70 appeal to Providence AMI the right Of the case
am ready aud willing 70 accept any other proposition
which Mr. WISE may suggest, outside Of the code, and
having the essential elements Of fairness and equality,
not how desperate II may be. And this proposal
stands open
With these explanatory remarks, subjou the CORE
sponderce which passed between Mr.. Wise and myself.
r. RiDGwAY.
personal Correspondence
RICHMOND, Jan. ~, 1858.
SiR-While ~ man Of honor, do not consider myself
under any obligation TO notice you further in consequence
Of the affair between yesterday, and while could
Afford 30 notice you, did feel under obligation
70 So yet after reflection disposed 10 sub
your acceptance the following proposition, which,
whatever may be Thought OF is merits OF dement's by the
public large will at least DO deemed fair and equal
between you and mel propose that you aud select only
friend each aud with pair Of pistols, shall all
either your Office mine, at hour 70 be hero
after designated that after shus meeting and che door be-
ing locked you and shall be securely bndfolded that
then the seconds shall lod Of the pistols and leave
the other unoaded that they shall next determine by lot