Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-23
Rough and Tumble Fight Between
virginia Radical Congressman
and a Lawyer.

The Petersburg (Virginia) papers OF
Saturday contain accounts of rough
and tumble fight between James H. Plstt,
the newly elected Radical Congressman
from the Second District of Virginia,
and Joseph Budd, lawyer. The trou-
bic commenced in the Mayors Court,
where Platt told Budd to shut up bis
mouth" Budd followed Plstt to his
office, aud asked an explanation. The
Petersburg Inder tells the rest of the
story:
Mr.. Platt asked Mr.. Budd to walk mp
stairs to his office, and talk the matter
over. When they had entered the Office
Mr.. Platt asked Mr.. Budd what he had
against him2
Mr.. Budd answered: "You insulted
| me, sir, in telling me TO shut my mouth,
while in the Mayors Court this morning"
Mr.. Platt said he would do so again
under like circumstances.
Mr.. Budd respo nded that if he did, he
would beat him for it.
After some further conversation, Mr.
Platt proposed to settle the difficulty a.
once by fight in his Office, saying to
MIR. Budd, ~ have no arms, sir, and
presume you have none" Mr. Budd
promptly acceded to the proposal, ia
forming Mr.. Platt that he was not armed.
Words ensued, during which Mr.. PIatt
used the epithet scoundrel" towards
Mr.. Budd, when the latter advanced upon
him. Platt seizsd chair and raised it
to strike Mr.. Budd. The latter seized
the chair, threw it aside and planted
blow with his clerched fist over one of
Platt's eyes, leaving the mark thereof
visible. The chair was cast aside, and
the two combatants closed, Platt, being
the larger and stronger, throwing Mr..
Budd to the floor. Mr.. Budd, however,
held Mr.. Plstt's head in very close and
firm embrace, and, though underneath in |
the struggle, evidently possessed an ad-
vantage in this fact Platt probably |
either knew or felt this-sor he was'heard |
to cry out one or more times, appealing. |
ly: "Don't bite mel don't tite me
As Mr.. Budd had no intention of tasting |
his blood, he did not "bite Mr.. Platt.
Ia few moments Mr.. Budd turned his
antagonist, and held him PROSTATE upon
the floor. Then Mr.. Platt loosed his
hold, threw out his arms, and cried for
"water F"
And water was kindly furnished him.
When in the midst of hot personal con-
hict, the party having the disadvantage
can stop to take water, the other, we |
presume, can magnanimously afford to
crafty him. So when Mr.. Platt threw
up his arms and appealed for water"
Mr.. Budd released him, arose, took the |
water that was brought and handed it to
the fallen Congressman. After this, Mr.. |
Budd turned to leave the Office, when |
Mr.. Plat, on bis feet and partially re-
vived, called him back, saying, Well |
have another round" Mr. Budd came
back and waited Mr.. Platt's pleasure
promeDading the office floor, while he
was washing the blood from his face. No |
further encounter ensued, however, Mr.. |
Plstt settling the matter by saying be
would have Mr.. Budd before the Mayor
for this " unprovoked assault upon him
in his office. The parties, after exchang-
ing few words, parted, expressing
mutual satisfaction.
Mr.. Budd was subsequently called upon |
by a large number OF his friends, aud
warmly congratulated.