The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-01-26
Comm unicated.
MARYSylLLE, /,


column of your paper short time since, 10y
Capt. McReynolds, headed "Aifray in Com,
petine," is not true inseveral important par
ticulars which are calculated TO calumniate
me more, probably, than deserve. Hence
deem it my duty to set forth the truth OF
the whole affair. There was a plan set on
foot TO bar me out of the school honse, until
would arree TO "treat" and in case they did
not accomplish the desired purpose, to seize
me, take me down to the creek and there
duck me until I would be forced into COM
pliance with their renusition. The Goth,
was the Gav upon which this scheme was
attempted to he put into execution. l went
to the school house in the morni ,g, and
found the door barre I, and some boys inside
7 returned across the street home. Sometime
in the forenoon the scholars on the outside
forced an entrance through back window
and onened tho door. went over and took
up school. Whether would have punished
the bows for the act of barring the door, is
uncertain. I Mt any rate thought | would
call them up AMI talk to thenrof the impro-
prietv cf such cnnluct. invited them to
come forward. One Of them Albert Wright,
arose and with an air Characterization sud,
1--WE are ready for you, cone on boys" |
addressed myself more particularly to him,
telling him to come He declared he would
not do it unless the others that was engaged
would. I told him to never mind them, that
would bring them. He refused, and set
down. This conduct rather eyaspcrted me,
thinking then the attempt was to be made,
either to thrash me, or to take me to the creek.
commenced clastiSing him, he making an
attempt to get knife from his pocket to'use
on me. This made me somewhat angry, my
switches being frozen Hezel sprouts, broke
all to pieces, | went to the other end of the
room to get an other. Meantime he went
out of the door, irst saw him as he was
passing out. and kicked at him. This con-
duct of me- cannot Justify I did it un-
thoughtedly and would not have done it had
reflected a moment In the evening, Nah
Ion Wright father Of Albert, and Sub Director
came into the school room, looking very an
grv. He wrote a vote and reached it to me,
iismissing me from the school. I Knowing
he had not the authority to discharge me,
asked him what it meant. He said it meant
what it said. told him that thought he
had not the authority. He said he would
show me- After insulting me and using
abusive language without any provocatron
on my part, he threw off his coat and adj
vanced on me making demonstrations OF
fight. | retrcated to corner of the room,
meantime drawing pistol and commanded
him to leave the hall. At this. juncturc, Dan
iel French and man I did not know but
found out after Yards to be James Wright.
son of Malhon's. Surprising them to be
| friends, let them advance to me. French
seized my arm turning it upwards, while
James Wright fell on me beating me furiouSly
with his fists. Mahlon came up and seized
! the pistol, while French was holding my arm
/ in an elevated position and attempted t.
wrench it from me. | fearing he would get
cnargeT one oarref lliC6 the ceinug, the 6rffc,
SNAPPED. They however, succeeded in get.
ting the pistol, James Wright continuing tc
/ beat, bite and choke me until at last became
insensibe. When came to my senses
was about half way across the street, my
wife hanging around my body having nv
arms pinioned with her own, James Wright
continuing to strike me, and Mahlon encour-
ageing him by following, hurr.h jim, give i:
to him Jim, if you caa't whip him can |
tore my wife loose from me, threw off MY
coat and fought desperately as long as conld
stand. They got Inc down on my back in
the street. James Wright was pulled off Inc
by some humane man. He then procured a
a gun to shoot me, but escaped into the
house
All this happened in the town of Marys-
vile in the presence ofnumcrous spectators.
My health and that Of my wife has been Sc
riously impaired by the Contest They order
ed me to leave the place and they would not
shoot me or put the law IN force against me-
| am not yet shot, but was arrested, tried
and acquitted. Mahlon Wright was arrested
and punished for his crime. James Wright
has fled to escape the vengeance of the law.
j. F. FISH.
We are satisfied that the above report of
Mr.. Fish is true. j. r. MOUNTAIN.
j. NJ. PHELPS.
Citizens of Marysville.
sy@Mr. Mountain, whose name is signed
above, called upon US after the article was in
type, and stated that so far as the events in
the school room are concerned, he has no
knowledge, and to that extent cannot certify.
He knows nothing about Mr. French holding
Mr.. Fish's arm, as also the difficulty with
the boys.-ED. COURIER.
CoNGREss-HouSe, Jan. 23.-Mr. Banks
dale spoke on the question of organization,
and called on the Democrats, South Ameri-
cans and Anti Lecomptonitcs to unite to de-
Feat the Republicans. He said rather than
the nominee of the Republicans should be
elected let discord reign here and forever.
Mr.Corwin was called out by a remark Of
Barksdale and said that he knew of no Re-
publican who went so far as to saw, that
slave territory, like Louisiana, acquired by
treaty should not be admitted. ...
Mr.. Barks1ale wished to know Mr.. Sher-