The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-02-19

liill OUT II WIS gcuCIdllE allowed
that my grandfather had fairly won his
bride, and deserved to enjoy his happi-
ness unmolested on that account. 4
cartel, therefore, would have evoked
universal reprobation against the sender,
and was not to be thought of. Mr.. Gregg
determined, then. to bide his time. He
felt that his vengeful purpose would lose
nothing by little keeping; and he vas
confident that the usages of the day
would soon provide him with a fair
opportunity of meeting his foe sword to
sword, as became a man of honor. Nor
was he disappointed.
In that old time fair was the chosen
scene of Irish revelry and riot. About
three months after the elopement came
the fair of M. 1t was the resort of
all classes for miles around, aud never
had it been known to close without one
or more murderous affrays, some of
which occasionally attained the dimen-
sions of serious combat. My grand
father determined to attend the fair,
and so did his foe. There was no COM
munication between them on this point.
Each was assured of meeting the other
there, longed indeed to do so, and made
his arrangements accordingly. No secret
was made of the purpose on either side;
for weeks before it was generally antiei-
pated that this particular fair would be
enlivened by drawn battle between the
Grants and the Greggs.
The day came and the fair was crowd
ed, many being attracted thither by the
hope of ''seeing the fun" About noon
the rivals, each with formidable band
at his back, met in the middle of the
High street, and instantly assailed one
another. Their partisans initiated their
examples with equal good will; the gen.
tlemen among them drawing their swords
and the plebans handling their cudgels.
Nor was the fray confined to the fac
tions. The very few peace lovers in the
crowded town vanished at the first indi-
cation of riot. OF the multitude that
remained every one loved a row for his
own sake, and most nourished private
grievances, for the qualification of which
the occasion offered irresistible tempta-
tions. Those who had weapons at hand
plunged at once into the fray, and those
who had not these indispensables hast
ened to improvise them. Some did so
by smashing the chairs in the tap-roOms
and appropriating their legs. Others
fitted themselves for combat by breaking
the poles of tent and stall into hand
lengths. Both proceedings of course be-
got a series of by-quarrels, which added
much to the uproar The last was tre-
mendous. twas a scene of widest con-
fusion. The air vibrated with one in
cessant, ear-piercing yell. There were
solid masses of men surging to and fro.
A sea of heads and a forest of sticks,
with here and there a flashing blade,
was all that could be seen from the win
dows. Sometimes a vigorous charge of
the Grants rolled the conflict to the
southern extreme of the long High street,
while the foe went down before them
by dozens, to be trampled upon by the
roaring tide of combatants, Here the
Grants would scatter; some rushing
rarfxr 4. afNn
spent, pausing to take breath. Then
the Greggs would rally, close their ranks,
and charging again in one dense mass,
sweeping the town in precisely similar
fashion.
At times the main conflict would sub
side in order that "ample space and
verge enough" might be given to the
struggle between the two redoubtable
champions. This being decided, the
mob would close again with redoubled,
fury and so the fight rolled on.
My grandfather and his antagonist had
exchanged but a few passes ere they.
were hurled asunder by the torrent of
their partisans. Nor was it until near
an hour had passed that they encoun-
tered again. By this time the majority
of the rioters was nearly worn out, and
the chiefs therefore were allowed to fight
out their particular quarrel to the end.
Their adherents gathered round them
in ring, encouraging them by their
cheers of approval at every dextrous
parry, home thrust or skilful cut.
have already described my grandfather
His antagonist was much taller, over six
feet, and large, heavy man to boot.
Both were skilful swordsmen, and both
as brave as men could be. The contest
was an obstinate one; but Gregg was
overmatched from the first. He carried
more flesh than man should do who
has to battle for his life, while constant
exercise had rendered my grandfather as
steel in every muscle. The latter, too,
was renowned for immense length of
arm. The fight, however, did not go
altogether IN his favor. Since a slash
reached the littIs finger of his sword
hand and divided the bone, it hung
not only useless, but seriously impeded
the management of his weapon. TAX
ing advantage Of a rush that interrupted
the struggle for a moment, he wrung
the finger off and turned again on his
foe. The latter stood up TO his man
with determined hardihood, until he
was literally slashed to pieces. He fell
at last through sheer exhaustion.
The general fight was then resumed.
but the Greggs were dispirited BY the
fall of their CHIEF, and after short strug
gle were driven from the town. Then
took place a tolerable amount of what
the natiy es of the Green Island used to
term ''rim-wrackin." That is to say.
the victors assiIed such dwellings of their
opponents as happened to be handy,
tore off the roofs, and destroyed the fur
niture.
Having completed this last crowning
achievement, the Grants and their parti-
sans mustered in long array, and march
ed in triumph through the place, with
half dozen pipers playing before them.
The town crier was pressed into the