The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-11-20

The Episode that Marred the Harmony of
Nevada Dance.

The Episode that. Marred the Harmony Of
Nevada Dance.
tFrom the Virginia City New Clrronicle1
Charles Clarkson was tried yesterday
afternoon for assaulting William
Mitchell on Friday evening last. The
parties reside in this city, but the trouble
took place at u ball given on American
Flat. Mitchell testified that he went
down to American Flat last Friday
evening to attend ball given for the
benefit of poor widow. As a rule he
did not care much for social dances, but
he wont to this one to assist the widow
While quadrille set was forming on
the floor he noticed that Clarkson, who
had taken a position on the side, went
across and whispered to couple oppo-
site him. He overheard enough to
know that conspiracy was forming be-
tween the two side couples to dance the
first figure-a figure always danced in
well regulated bathrooms by the head
couples. He determined to assert his
rights, and as soon us the music struck
up and the order was given to :. .for,ard
and back" he broke for the center OF
the floor. All of the dancers in his set
did the same, and the result was, that
there was a violent quadrilateral col
lision. Clarkson suddenly hauled off
and hit the witness in the eye.a The
fight then became general, and for the
next ten minutes that famous society
event, known as, Lannigan's Ball, 7
wasn't a circumstance to the scene OF
confusion there enacted During the
row, Mitchell received black eye and
a swelled nose from Clarkson's energet-
ic fist.
C1arkson next took the stand and
swore that he and: his girl were at the
end of the set, and were not side cou
pie at all. He had been at a bah or SO
in his time, and knew something Of the
rules Of dancing, According to the
rules the two head couples always
danced. as the cracks of the floor ran.
He had started to dance as designated
by the cracks, and knew he was right.
He admitted that he had blacked the
complainant's eye, but he. made a prin-
ciple at dance to hold his own against
all comers. He wotifd allow no man on
earth to indulge in any " funny ibusi-
ness I, at his expense f,aeH T n MI
Thomas jenkins, man who had fur
nished the. music for the dance, was
put on the stand. He said it was usual
to dance lengthwise of the cracks, un-
less the hallwas larger the other way
Witness. If the cracks run length
wise of the hall the head couple dance
along the cracks, and ifthe hall is large
across 'em. r,e..fygty,sg, .,sttsf,g #f
The Court. Suppose you have a
square room, carpeted, and no cracks
in sight, what do you do in that case ?"
The witness. You dance toward the
music.
The Court. Where was the music on
this oceasionp il to eli3 s. III 35jaii
The witness. In the, corner.
Il The Court. Hthe' cracks ran across
the hall, and the hall was larger the 9TH
er way, and the musiewas i'm the corner,
how could you expect people TO dance
straight? , 49,
The witness was completely dumb
founded by this joint consolidated ques-
ton. He made nc. reply, but stared
helplessly about the room. He was
finally dismissed. Several other wit
HeSScS tcStlHeu as ttOt IlUW Tic isCfdCkS FL
the floor ram Some were of the opin-
ion that there were no cracks in the floor
at all, at least they didn' notice any.
One witness was asked, g Did you
notice any cracks?" and answered
promptly:T aei ~ - guol Z; z ~
II got crack, on the head with a
stove-poker, and it ran north and south,
as near as can recollect." l. = E93s
This reply caused. some merriment,
but the Constable was fully equal to the
OCCASION asl G' 3 9a fs9iH4
John Il. Briggs who was at the ball,
told his experience in this ways
e when the row opened up, | SASH
aged over to the center of the room and
got lift Under the ear, and I let out
my left at the man who hit me.7 sIBiiai
Justice Moses Gocosely). A sort OF
alleyman left movement, ehp
The witness. Yes, your Honor. Then
/ got kicked in the stomach, and the
women screamed, and the lights went
outguI got some fellows head in chan
Gerry and hammered away at it as long
as could hold it. ''
The District Attorney. Didn't you
know who it WASP .f 4n.t -.e,. III
The witness. Haven't any idea. /
was just trying tohold my chances'le level
with the crowd. ss,ar ..st ar.,. -ag,.,f.,
The case then went to the jury, who
returned a verdict of not guilty. .SsS