Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-24
Esprit or THE TIMES. !"
A Rencontre In Broadway-Georg
wilkes Gained by william Leland.

From the New York World of the l6th.l
A scene occurred on Broadway yester-
day afternoon, which, for time, caused
great sensation and materially shocked
the promenaders of that gay thorough
fare ltappears that for some time past
storm has been brewing between the
editor of Wilkes Spirit of the Times, Mr.,
George Wilkes, and Major William Le-
land, of the Metropolitan Hotel. These
gentlemen were formerly on the best of
terms, but it seems that of late Major
Leland had bestowed some favors on the
paper called the Turf, Field and Farm,
which is 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 Major Leland
and his brother Charles, but the Major
feeling that he was under no personal
obligation TO the editor OF the Spirit, re
fused to mend his ways or conform to
the wishes of his former friend. On Sat-
urday last he was astonished, on taking
up the Spirit, to find in its columns
what he regarded gross attack on him
self, 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 denominated accordingly Major
Leland, after reading the article, de-
nounced it as mean, cowardly attack,
and told his brother he would get salts
faction from the editor in some way.
He seemed to be most offended at being
represented as a coward, and said he did
not care for anything else that had been
written about him. He asserted that he
was no coward, and that to prove it he
would meet Wilkes anywhere, and under
any circumstances. His brother, Mr..
Charles Leland, endeayored to dissuade
him from any attempt to seek redress by
Violence, and advised him to pursue the
course provided by law where persons
are libelled by editors. Major Leland,
in 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 met in Broad
way, Just below Canal street, near the
Brandreth House. Major Leland was
WdlhiHg up anu IuI. tNlihcS "uo BOlhS
down. The weather was beautiful, and
at that hour the street was thronged with
a crowd of busy pedestrians and gay.
Major Leland Immediately walked up
to Mr.. Wilkes saying, why did you
make that outrageous attack on me in
your paper Of Saturday."
Mr.. Wilkes, much surprised, straight
ened up and squared off and exclaimed,
Hands off, sir. Don't you touch me, !"
aud at the same time grasping his under
coat in such manner as led Mr.. Leland
to think he was drawing pistol
Major Leland, without further eere-
mony, raised his cane and struck Wilkes
several smart blows on the head and
shoulders, exclaiming: Twill show you
whether 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 immence sensa-
tion on the street, and the scene was
witnessed by a large crowd.
As Mr.. Wilkes was making his way
out of the crowd as expeditiously as pos
sible, Leland cried out to the throng of
spectators 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.