Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-20

b. 10 view of the card Of DIR. Johnson, pub.
lished in yesterday evenings papers, aud being
the only witness 10 the encounter between Cap
tain Eowle and DR.. Johnson, | beg now, amid
conflicting rumorS to state the case as 1t actual
y happened: Fully cOncur1lDg IN the views OF
Captain FouIe, | readily consented to 20 with
him as his friend, but strongly urged him to
fud some friend of DR.. johnson $ to accompany
us. Captain Fowle tried TO find friend that
stood in that light to his opponent, but could
not. Arriving at his office, the door was open
ed in person by the Doctor, who saluted Cap
tain Fowle, and being introduced to me, motion
ed us to take seats. | sat down as did the
Others did not perfectly hear the CONVEX
sation that ensued, but in a few moments the
tracas began. Both men rose and faced each
other, and [ getting up, moved my chair out
of the way. Then ensued as pretty an exhibit
ton of strength versus science, as ever wit
messed. Dr. johnson struck out bliudly and at
random, but three or four blows, straight from
the shoulder, brought him 10 sitting position
on the floor, when my friend, bending over
him, aud getting his head 10 chancery, was IN
the parlance of the prize, pegrlng away lively,
and with great satisfaction 10 himself and to
the utter dismay of the Doctor, who recued
on the floor perfectly detenceess from the
binding blows raiued upon his face. Looking
up at me, the Doctor said. Take him off. !"
Simply this and nothing more. At my request
Captain Fuwlc stayed his hand, while the Doc
tor, glad, doubtless, of relief, rose, and without
waiting to thank me for my kindly intercesson,
rushed with mighty curse into the next room
to get some deadly weapon, as thought for
had he not failed IN the combat, man TO man.
looked to see double barrel, but 10 Il stick
li,l al,
plaything, and shillelah toy, aud thus arm-
ed, rushed to Captain Fowle, who stood with
folded arms near the door, and struck at him a
vicious blow, which caught on my arm, aud
yet another, which Captain f. caught 10 the
same manner Then the irate sou of medicine,
ungratetul man, turned on me and struck sevc-
raj blows, which easily warded off and motion
ed Captain Fowe away, who had caught the
stick and held it 10 firm grasp, and was pre-
pairing to wade 10 anew. | refrained from
striking the worthy NJ. d., simply because
did not want him to say that he was attacked
By two, though a brave man could have cleared
the room of dozen unarmed men with such a
bludgeon. The Doctor, gifted with that in-
sinct which made honest old Jack Falstaff SO
famous, and who the Doctor is like in more
ways than one, ceased his blows, and began to
storm. picking up the paper from the floor
and leasurely taking my cigar from the table
left the room, while the Doctor displayed the
ouly bravery he is 50 dtfuse 10, by hurting forth
curses, anethemas, explosives, that were appal-
ling, by way of profanity. The curses, ah the
curses; they followed US out the door, iuto the
street, and hurled around US like fast falling
shot and bursting shell. Pardon and remem-
Der the aggrevation had not been slight aud
then, too, his face hurt And so We
parted, and left him to bind up his own wounds,
pour in oil and wine, and recount his marvel
Gus deeds to partial ears. 10 conclusion, de-
sire to say that neither Captain Fowle or my.
self will, under any circumstance, be dragged
into a newspaper controversy, and L merely
write this as true and faithful report of the
encounter in retutation OF the card of DR..
johnson. ALEXANDER HUNTER.
Alexandria, Va, January Goth, 1874.