The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-07-17
The Fighting EditOr-A Reminis-
cence.

Nathaniel Patten, the veteran pub
Usher of Northern Missouri, started the
Clarion in 1885, and upon his demise,
two years later, it passed into the hands
Mr.. w. NJ. Campbell. The exciting To-
cal theme of that day was the removal
of the county seat to Cottleville, and the
project occupied the thoughts of all
classes of people, to the exclusion of
nearly everything else. 1t was earnest
ly discussed on the streets. in bar rooms
and in hotels, as we'll as in the homes
and workshops. The newspapers were
filled with communications upon the
subject, pro and con, and the local press,
as might be supposed, lent its powerful
aid in retaining the seat of justice here
on the banks of the Big Muddy.
A German citizen of Cottleville, all
alive to the interests of his locality,
busted himself night and day election
eering for the removal. He was so en-
Unused with the scheme that he left no
stone unturned that would tend TO in
sure its success. NJ. Campbell, having
heard of many of the ''pulls" this eceen-
trio and enthusiastic German was ma
king, wrote quite an amusing article for
his paper, at which the "capital mover"
took great umbrage, and which he deter
mined to avenge. He came to town soon
after with resolute purpose, of giving
the editor of the Clarion "a good drub-
bin" Mr.. Julian, the foreman of the
office, had heard of the gentleman's
threats, and not wishing TO have his en-
pIoyer .massacred, volunteered to wait
upon him when he came. He appeared
at the office unexpectedly, and before
Mr. J. had matured any plans for his
reception. Advanced towards him, the
enraged Teuton demanded in broken
English:
"Who is the author of that" At the
same time poking the article in his face
Julian politely replied:
"The editor, SIR"
"WeI where is the editor? He is the
man want to seer
The editor, who, on such occasions,
was a prototype of Tom Collins, had
/ ''just stepped out" but would return af-
ter dinner.
Our German friend, chagrined at his
temporary disappointment, withdrew,
but was at the same Office door again
precisely at one o'clock.
Meantime, Julian had called in Mr..
Howard-well known here in those
days for his giant physique and muscu-
lar powers-and apprised him of the
mornings episode and of the Germans
promised return. Howard was good
friend of Campbell's, and, not wishing
to see him harmed, proposed to Julian
that he should personate Campbell, and
thus not only save Campbell's hide, but
afford an amusing theme for laughter
afterward, feeling satisfied that the di
minutiye German would not "tackle
him" Campbell, without much persna
sion, was induced to keep back, while
Howard, with sleeves rolled up to the
elbows, his powerful muscles standing
out like great thongs, seated himself in
the editors chair and calmly awaited
the arrival of the gentleman from Cot
tleville.
He had not long to wait. Mr.. Ju'
lian met him at the door, and conduc
| I. Il, in
troduced him to the pseudo editor.
Not waiting to take a measurement o
Howard's elephantic proportions, h'
thrust the offensive article in his fac,
and asked if he was the author of it. =
: Howard said:
81 am responsible for it, sir! Wha
f have you to say about it? At the SAM
r time rising to his feet and looking dow
f upon the questioner with gaze tina
would have cowed much braver man
The effect of Howard's tone and at
q injured Teuton. His chivalric spiri
. vanished like dew under morning
g SUM- He stammered and suffered
e scratched his head, and, finally feignin
a sickly smile, remarked that he ha'
e nothing to say about it, only "it we
such very funny article" and close
! by asking Howard to go out and drin
"zwei glass lager" with him, which h
did with an unusual relish, and parte
fast friends with the now subdued capi
tai mover of Cottleville.
! Campbell's reputation as a fghtin
man spread throughout the country, an
s ever afterwards in his editorials coul
+ be observed dashing, fearless brilliar
= cy, quite surprising TO those of his pat
> rons who were not at all acquainte
/ with the cause.