Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-25
a Confessional Scrimmage.

Mcssrs English of Indiana, and Montgomery
of Pennsylvania. whose conspicuous and antas-
onistic positions in the Lccompton contest last
winter will be remembered, met for the first
time this session, on Pennsylvania avenue, Sat
urday morning. English extended his hand,
and said, "lIow are you, Montgomery" Mont
gomcry withheld his hand, and said something
like this, Il don't speak to puppies" Hereup-
on English raised his cane and struck him a
severe blow over the head, breaking his cane in
pieces, and knocking Montgomery into the gut
ter, but not entirely down. Montgomery, ris-
ing, hurled a brick at English, striking him on
the boot but doing him no injury. English
states to his friends that he was entirely unarm-
od and was not aware that Montgomery had
any i'll feeling towards him up TO the time of
the rencontre Montgomery in strength is SUI
pelior to English.
Such is Mr. Engsh's account of the affair.
Mr. Montgomery's statement is as follows, and
is authenticated by witnesses, besides looking
much the most probable:-
Il have not spoken to English this session or
taken any notice of him when we met, as we
have occasionally. The reason is that he made
a speech to the crowd who serenaded him on
the night OF the passage Of his bill, in which he
said that he had associated with me and other
anti-Lecompton democrats only to find out our
plans and defeat us. From that time have
looked upon him as 4 trcacherous spy and an
unfit associate for gentlemen. About noon to-
day was walking down Pennsylvania avenue,
and had just passed Wizards and crossed Four
teenth street, when saw English coming tow
ard me, holding out his hand, saying How do
you do, Mr. Montgomery | made no answer
but passed on without any sign of recognition
| had walked few steps when received from
behind very violent blow on the left side of
my head, given with such force as for moment
to stagger and confuse me. | had not the least
idea who or what had struck me, but turning
round ! saw English with n large cane, which
he held in both hands, and from the position in
which he stood, and the direction of the blow,
must have SO held when he struck me. He
exclaimed: Cd d-n YOU III teach you to
insult me in that way He stepped backward
quickly as he spoke. ! rushed at him, and as
was about to close with him, he drew a sword
from cane and presented it at me. AS had
no weapon of any kind, | stepped off the side
walk and picked up piece of brick, which
threw at him, hitting him on the leg. He kept
retreating, and before | could find another mis-
sile, had got to such distance that it was use
less to pursue him."
William Couch, Daniel Cox and Thomas
Read Keever, who saw the affair, confirm Mr.
Montgomery's statement Montgomery imme-
diately made complaint before magistrate, and
English is held to answer for an assault Mont
gomerys face was badly bruised and he keep.
his room under physicians care. If the blow
had fallen ON his forehead, instead of his check
the result might have been serious. The fac
that Montgomery had passed English twice be
fore that day, without speaking to him, seems
to be good evidence that the latter premeditate,
the assault in revenge for the silent contempt.