The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-08-15

ASSAULT on A Local EDIToR.-Yester-
day afternoon Mr.. Harry 7. Black, city
editor Of the RegitGr, was at the City
Building converting with Major Sweeney,
when he was approached BY q gentleman
who inquired II his name vas Black, re:
eelving On affirmative reply he asked
Black TO step outside for q moment as he
wished 10 SEQ him privately. Mr.. Black
followed him out, and almoStinmedlately
was struck in the face q very heavy blow
by the gentleman, who followed up his
advantage, and was Furnishing Black Sc
yerely when Major Sweeney and Officer
Miller interiered and stopped the assault.
It was then discovered that the gentleman
was Mr.. j.. W. @. Smith, q leather mer.
chant Of this city. OF course, the affair
occurring In the presence Of the City
Sergeant, he was at once under arrest,
and promptly deposited a sufficient sum
OF money 10 secure his presence {. this
mornings Police Court. Soon after the
affair we called OF Mr.. Smiths place OF
business on Main street, near Tenth, and
no gave lis his version OF the affair: ~
do not take the Register, and was not
aware OF tho article In Il In relation 10 the
gas irregularities, this morning, until It
was shown mi by a friend; and also my
name and Its association with Certain men,
and also o questionable transaction. at
once went down street to hunt up Mr..
Black and demand IN explanation Of the
affair. He was pointed out 10 me in the
City Building. wentin and found him
talking to Major Sweeney and called him
out to the front door, and exchanging a
few words with him, gave him the best |
had IN the shop. And now, q few words
in relation to the article. / am private
citizen; ] have never held any office, nor
do l wish to. | owe no man
q cent, and l do not want to be
dragged before the public in the light l
was" us there anything In the charge,
so far as you are concerned, Mr.. Smith,"
We asked. II will tell you" he said. 81
live OH the Island. Some time ago there
was a meter set IN nv house and a con-
neCtion made with the main. l did not
know that these were 10 be paid for by me
when | paid for the gas | used. Trimble &
for them. Last February G. NJ. Coen pre-.
sented me q bill for the meter service Of
S0.+0, which l paid. cannot account for
the fact that 1t was not paid before, ex-
cept on tho ground that Mr., Browne
wished to accommodate my father, |
have no recourse on the Register, and do
not want to go to law with It" Some
other conversation OF like nature occurred
and We wilhdrewS Mr.. Black said
that he was talking to Major
Sweeney when Smith came up to
him and asked him II his name
was Black, and being told 1t was asked to
see him for a moment and followed him
out. He asked me II l was the author OF
the article In the Register in regard to the
gas business. l told him yes. He then
asked me whether l had anything against
him. / told him no, when he struck me,
and | partially fell and We ClinChed, and
were separated by Major Sweeney and
Policeman Miller. That was all"
MIR. Black was rather roughly handled
in the ARRAY, sustaining a very black eye
and a few triting scratches. The affair
created considerable comment In the city
last evening, and various opinions were
heard for and against the assault, some
sustaining Smith as %justifable in it and
Others COndeming It on account OF the fact
that Black merely recited the contents OF
the report that will be submitted to Coun.
Gil this evening.