The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-08
THE PRESS DrFFICULTIEs.

7 ThE FhEISS D1G AA<Ss
The parties concerned in the recent
press difficulties were again before the
Mayor yesterday morning. The first called
was @ 1cs
+ THE TwELFTH-sTREET AFFAIR.
Messrs. James P. Cowardin and N. P
Handy, of the Dispatch; G. w. James
marine reporter of the Enquirer; ,----
Leahy, and William q. Samuel, were ar.
traigned upon the charge of being engaged
| in this affray.
Marmaduke johnson and F. P. Turner,
Esqs., appeared as counsel for the repre-
sentatives of the press.
He said that at about half-past 4 o'clock
Saturday evening he was walking down
Main street with policemen Reagan and
Connors; saw crowd gathering on
Twelfth near Bank. Followed, and soon
saw Mr.. James and Mr.. Leahy engaged in
q fight. They were sparring when We
came up, and we arrested both. / did not
see Mr.. Leahy strike him, but their heads
were bloody. They washed their faces,
and were both taken to the watch-house.
did not see either Mr.. Cowardin or Mr.
Handy engaged in the affray.
Officer Connors said that when he ar
rived at the scene Of conflict Leahy was
beating James. They were standing in
the gutter, and James was STOPPING over.
Did not see either Mr.. Handy, Mr.. Cowar-
din, or Mr.. Samuel, take part in the afray.
Officer Keagan's testimony agreed with
that of the policemen who had preceded
him. When he saw Leahy and James, the
latter seemed to be overpowered. Do not
mean that he was not resisting.
Officer Moody said he took part in the
arrest of Leahy and James. Leahy's head
was bleeding, apparently from blow in
ficted with stick. Sergeant Dudley told
him to arrest Samuel, and be did so.
Officer Carter said he arrived late on the
battle field. Some one implicated said he
caght to arrest Mr.. Handy. Accordingly,
he arrested him. Did not see Mr.. Handy
do anything belligerent.
No other evidence was introduced /; but
as the Mayor desired to examine Sergeant
Dudley, who was not in attendance, Messrs.
Leahy and James were required to appear
this morning at 10 O'Clock, and Messrs.
Cowardin and Samuel to await summons.
CUTHBERT VS.. WILT.
The case of Ernest Wilt, charged with
assaulting Eccles Cuthbert, was next call
ed. Messrs. Marmaduke Johnson, F. P.
Turner, and R. T. Daniel, Jr., appeared
for the accused.
Mr.. Cuthbert signifying his desire to dis
miss the prosecution, he presented the fol-
lowing paper, drawn up by counsel; after
which Mr.. Wiltz was discharged:
"R1CHMoND, January Z, 1868.
" To the Hon. Joseph Mayo, of the city Of
Richmond:
ST do hereby certify that !, E. Cuth-
bert, am satisfied in regard to the collision
between P. E. Wiltz and myself, and do
respectfully ask your Honor to permit the
warrant against said Wilt to be withdrawn,
and the prosecution against him be dis
missed, provided this be regarded and uu-
derstood by said Wiltz as final settle
ment of the difficulty between US.
"Given under my hand this day and
year aforesaid.
TSignedl "E. CUTHBERT.'
"l do hereby subscribe to the above
terms. [Signed] Pc. WILTz."
CUTHBERT VS.. CowARD1N.
Mr.. James P. Cowardin, arrested on the
complaint of Mr.. Cuthbert, next appeared.
F. P. Turner, Esq, and NJ. Johnson ap-
peared in his behalf.
Mr.. Cuthbert testified that he had every
reason to fear that Mr.. Cowardin would
attack him, as he had notified him pre-
viously of his intention to espouse the quar-
rel of bis friend, DR.. Brock.
Mr.. Turner, counsel for Mr.. Cowardin,
lot H. ok 90 ,bap
he posted the card assailiDg DR.. Brooks
character. Cuthbert replied that he was
not.
Mr.. Turner: Why were you afraid of
Mr.. Cowardin rather thsn of DR.. Brock 7
"Because he had warned me not to pub
lish the card"
"Then you were actually afraid of Mr..
Cowardin ?"
"Yes, sir, was"
"Do you swear upon oath, now, that
you are afraid of Mr.. Cowardin?'
81 do, sir"
The Mayor decided, without hearing fur
ther evidence, to bind Mr.. Cowardin over
to keep the peace in the sum Of $500.
Colonel William q. Caskie became his
surety.
THE CASE OF BROCK AND CUTHBERT.
DR.. J. B. Brock, of the Enquirer, and E.
Cuthbert, correspondent of the New York
Herald, were next arraigned.
The Mayor renewed the statement made
on Monday concerning the circumstances
attending the arrest of DR.. Brock. He
said the warrant was issued because he
believed the libel-for such he considered
it-posted by Cuthbert was sufficient to
Justify the expectation that before the
close of another day the gentlemen con-
cerned might be enjoying shooting match
near the little village of Bladensburg,
after the old fashion of settling such diff
culties.
The card posted by Cuthbert was then
exhibited by DR.. Brock, and the latter
brought forward an editorial in the En-
quirer branding certain statements in his
correspondence to the Herald as false, and
denouncing their author as lying vaga.
bond. Cuthbert also called his Honor's
attention to another editorial in the same
paper, which, he held, reiterated the state.
ments that had previously been branded
| false.
The Mayor called Mr.. Cuthbert's atten
ton to the fact that one libel did MOI
justify another.
Mr.. johnson, on behalf of DR.. Brock
remarked that no proof had been adducee
TO establish that his client had written tht
editorial about Cuthbert'sletter. DR.. Brocl
had nothing to do with the column il
which it appeared, but was only connected
with the local department of the paper.
Mr.. Cuthbert said he knew DR.. Brock u
be the author Of it.
The Mayor cut short further discussion