The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-11
From the New York worl1.l
Flogging an Editor.

DANvILLE, VA, July z, 1877.
The excitement of yesterday having sub
sided the details OF the attack by the
Whitfields upon d. Deckhart, editor of the
Border Erpress, were obtained to-day. AS
soon as the Erpress containing the account
of young Whitfeld's crime, arrest, prelim-
mary conviction and fight, as related in the
Herald to-day, made its appearance upon
the street, and was read, excitement began
to run high. 1t was well known that young
Whitfield was not member of the firm of
Whitfield & Co., tobacconists, whose name
was brought into the EapreSS notice, and
it was as well known that A P. Whitfield,
the senior member of the firm, would re-
sent, not only that imputaton, but the en-
tire publication. From early morn till the
ARRAY took place, knots of people were
gathered on the streets discussing the stu
alton and watching for events. Whitfield,
small man, was seen frequently passing
about the streets In an agitated condition.
Deckhart. who is a larger man, was no.
where to be seen.
This continued until about II O'Clock,
when Whitfield suddenly entered the gro
Gerry store of J. +. Resins on Main street
where Deckhart was quietly sitting in a
chair. Whitfield was armed with heavy
riding whip, with the lash cut off, which
made it resemble a heavy walking cane.
AS soon as he reached Deckhart he began
the assault, without saying n word and u.s.
ing both hands, the blows falling with all
his might and main. The first blow struck
Deckhart fair across the face, inflcting a
| severe injury, and the others fell thick and
| fast over his head and shoulders. Deck
| hart, as soon as he recovered from the first
assault, sprung to his feet, and without
Offering any serious resistance beat hasty
| retreat, at the same time calling for help.
Whitfield followed, still applying the whip,
and supported by personal. friends behind
him.
Deckhart in his flight seized a Ratchet,
| and when he reached the rear of the store
| he turned and struck at Whitfield, inflictiHg
| slight bruise on his face, and was in the
act of Draining bis pursuer by second
blow, when Whitfeld's brother, who had
picked up an ak, arrested the blow. Deck
hart was then caught by two other friends
Of Whitfield, and one account says the
three gave him severe thrashing. After
| this the cOmbatants were separated. The
most intense excitement prevailed when it
was ascertained that the difficulty had &C.
Cured, and the friends of the respective
| parties gathered In large numbers, and for
while q general riot was imminent.
| Deckhart went to his office.
| The Whitfields were taken charge of by
the police and taken to the mayors Office,
followed by their friends, who were quite
threatening in their attitude toward the
officers of the law. The case was only
partially heard and continued until to-day
at 8 o'clock. Deckhart swore out peace
warrants against the Whitflelds and several
of their friends, all of whom were arrested
and brought before justice. Some %
witnesses were examined, but no proof
Being elected to show that any further at
tack was intended against the person Of
| Deckhart the parties were discharged.
To-day they were all brought before the
mayor, Deckhart included, and after 8
long, tedious and farcical trial, A. p. Whit
field was fined $l5 and his brother $40
Deckhart was graciously dismissed. The
matter will now probably be brought be
fore the grand jury. The Whitfields art
North Carolinians and Deckhart is Penn
sylvanian and recently editor of the Hag
erstown md. Mail.