Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-03-25
From the New York World, March L,

From the New York World, March 16.
Heneontre 1u broadway, New York
George WsIkcs Cnned by rIejor VIM. Lee
land
A scene occurred on Broadway yester-
day afternoon, which, for a short time,
caused great .Gnsati0u end materially
shocked the promcna2er5 Of that gay
! thorOuRhfare. II appears tna5 for some
time past a storm had been brewing be-
tween the editor Of WiH,es' Spirit ofMe
Times, Eir. George Wilkes, and Major Will
liam Leland, of the metropolitan HOTEL
These gentlemen were formerly on the
best of terms, bat it seems that of late
| Major Leland had bestowed some favors
on the paper called the I5af, Field and
Farm, which is a bitter rival to the Spirit,
and hence the jealousy and hatred of the
proprietor of the latter journal were
aroused. Mr. Wilkes expressed his dis
pleasure several times to Ma. Or Leland and
his brother Charles, but the Major, feel
ing that he was under no personal obliga-
ton TO the editor of the SPIRIT, refused to
mend his ways, or to conform to the wish
es of his former friend. On Saturday last
he was astOnisled, on taking up the Spirit,
to find in its columns what he regarded
gross attack on himself, an article in
which Major Leland was dished up to
the public as a coward. In carving
Mr.. Leland, the editor also discovered
other properties in him which he denomi-
mated accordingly. Major Leland, after
reading the article, denounced it as mean,
cowardly attack, and told his brother he
would get satisfaction from the editor IN
some way. He seemed to be most offend
ed at being represented as n coward, and
said he did not care tor anything else that
had been written about him. He asserted
that lie was DO coward, and that to prove
it he would meet Wilkes anywhere, and
under any circumstances. Ills brother,
MIR. Charles Leland, endeavOred TO dis
suade him from any attempt to seek re-
dress by violence, and advised him to pur-
sue the course provided by law where per
sons are libelled by editors. Major Le-
land, III his frenzy, replied that he knew
his business. and that he would conduct
the case himself. He saw no more of Mr..
Wilkes until about two o'clock yesterday
afternoon, when the two mot in Broadway,
just below Canal street, near the Brand
reth House. Major LELAND was walking up
and Mr. Wilkes was going down. The
weather was beautiful, and at that hour
the street was thronged with a crowd of
busy pedestrians and gay.
Major Leland Immediately stepped I'D
to Mr. Wilkes, saying, why did you
mako that outrageous attack on me in
your paper Of Saturday,
MIR. Wilkes, much surprised, straight
ened up and squaicd of, and exclaimed,
Glands OFF, sir. Don't you touch me-"
and at the same time grasped his under
coat in such Z manner as led Mr.. Leland
to think he was drawing pistol.
Major Leland, without further ceremo-
ny, raised his cane and struck Wilkes sew
eral smart blows on the head and shoul-
ders, eXclairlin8: 81 Will show you whether
I am coward" The cane was soon
broken into pieces, and as Mr.. Wilkes
turned to escape punishment or to look for
an officer, Leland dealt him several blows
on his back with his fists.
The affair created an immense sensation
on the street, and the scene was witnessed
by large crowd.
AS MIR. Wilkes was making his way out
of the crowd as expeditiously as possible,
Leland cried out to the throng of specta-
tors: "There goes the chivalrous fighting
editor, George Wilkes"
That ended the affair for the present.
There was no interference by the police,
and up to last evening no legal proceed
ings had been instituted by Mr.. Wilkes