Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-16
ARRAY in Washington.

An ARRAY occurred between tx. Doorkeepcr
Frank Sciell, the former giant of the House
floor, and Col. JOHN w. Fairfax, au F. f. ",
in the Office of the Ebbitt House last evening,
during which Col. Fairfax was SO severely 10
jured that grave fears are entertained.
Col. Fairfax, who is a resident of Leesiurs,
Va, is sojouruiug at the Eobilt Fl use. Oar.
ing the rebellion he served On e 70. Lougstrcet's
staff. SchclI needs 40 introduction to the pub
lie. He is a Honsier democrat, and was a
member of that cIamoriug army of ofice-seck
ers who Invaded the Capital when the demo
cratic House first convened. Schell was Que
of the fortunate ones. aud secured 4 position as
uader Guorkeeper, where he became dls'ln
guished for his large Siz. aud the savage mao
DER 10 which he treated his grucerymaD Wliea
The latter asked for u settlement of his bill.
He acquired soue D~Otorlety by the pompous
manner 10 which ne, at q quarter 10 tw2lVe
o'clock daily, welded the Speakers gavcI, 40!
gave uctlc, that "ali perSons not entitled to the
privileges of the floor will retire" 1t seems
that Will Scheil strutted in his brief authorl
ty on the q DOR of the House, Col. Fairfax hap
pened there by Invitation of d member, aud
that Schell, in bis peculiar style, requested hun
to show his authority to be there or leave tn
hall.
Col. Fairfax was much offended by his man.
uer, and il seems that ne still remembers the
Utcrse.
ScheIl and a friend were seated in the off sc
Of the Ebbitt House, shortly alter 5 O'Clock
last evening, when Col. EaIrf.x eutcred the
door with a tlieod aud passed up the lobby.
Az be passed by the place where Schell
was sitting, he said There the Cd ID
bull dog who attempted TO put NE of the hoDr
of the House." Schell remained in his scat,
aud said quietly, You are mistaken" Col.
Fairfax aud hir FREUD passed On a few steps
further, when the Colouel turned around to
ScheIl aud said "l'!l cur you yet SchcIl
again said thai be was mistaken. Col. Fairfax
and bis friend, after rasslug up towards the
clerks counter, returDed. The CcIooel had az
open peukulie, aud advancing upon Sehell sail
that he vas now "golog 10 Gu bun Tor IT,
ScheIl arose from bis seat and armed himself
with his stout cane and also his pocket knlfe.
A gentleman who was sitting by him, Tot D..
lleving Fairfax had serious lptentlous, drew out
a ridiculousiy small pen kalfe, and opening l.,
held it out, saying, IF you are going to cut,
take this.
Failtax pressed upoa Schcli, aud made se7
eral passes ut hlp with his knlte. Sch=li tired
| 10 knock the kulie trom his hand with Tie cine.
Schcll fouod be was being too warniy pressed,
| aud he struck and staggered talctsz with the
cane. Then the 62ht began ID dead earnest,
but was over 10 a second.
Fairfax lunged at Schcll, cutting through his
coat, and i~n1lctlDg a Wouud Iii his side. Hchell
ielied the CuloueI with a blow Of The stick, and
while be was on the floor, threw himself upon
him. and Inflicted a terrible gash 10 his peek.
As Fairlax staggered to bis feet. SchcIl STAB
bed hiu 10 the side aod back. SO rapidly was
all this done that the bysianders had hardly
tune to comprehend The tura affairs had taken
before the blood was streaming from the Wounds
inflicted. The combatant$ were then separat
ed. Schell blurted out that be was kll!ui, and
was helped away by some Of his friends.
Fairfax was taxed TO his loom 10 the hotel.
! His injuries consists OF a brold cut Oh tie left
| side of his neck, d cut on the right shoulder
blade, and a stab. wound on the Tlght side OF
breast. Drs. Lincoln, Garrett, and Ashford
! we're summoned, aud remained with The wnund-
ed man for a long tune. Ii was fuuud that 40
arteries had teen severed by the cut /" the
neck, aud mat the most serious wound was III
the breast. The wound is quite deep, but
there is doubt whether the lung Was pene'rat-
ed or not. The greatest danger Is from luham-
nation. Col. Fairfax suffered intensely from
bis Injuries last night, aud Was very restless.
Schell's only Injury was a cut about an loch
long and an inch and a half deep, running
doWnwards In his right side, near the ribs.
When he left the hotel be asked to be taken
10 DR.. Bliss Ht6ce, where it was found the
wound was trlf ug. Schell afterwards went to
his home on Capitol Hill.
The encounter created great excitement 10
the hotel, aud Tor hours 1t was the outy topic
Of conversation about the lobby. The ruuor
of the ARRAY spread rapidly, aud was greatly
exaggerated. The consequence was that the
hotel office was crowded until midnight by per
SOUS anxious to hear about the affair. Those
who were unfortunate enough to have been
eye. witnesses Of the encounter were questioned
ADD pumped until they heartily wished that
Col. Fairfax and ex.D oorkeeper Schell had pev-
er lived Washington Republican.
The Disputed States
FLORIDA.