Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-12
IT IS ruNNY.
A%xhandlss Mixed With Arms, Heads and
Boot-Heels.

One of the most ridiculous trials
extant came off this morning in the
Criminal Court, before Judge Ray and
a jury. 1t will be remembered that
an axhandle battle came off on the
10Th of March last between a Mr..
Diggs and Mr.. Devine, in front of the
latters grocery, at the corner of
Vance and fernando streets. 1t
seems there was a little choking and
ether embellishments in the frolic,
and that the main actors we're
Mr.. Digs and VIM. Bridges, a
salesman for Devine. The courtroom
crowded with spectators during
the course Of the trial to-day. There
was much that was comical, some rath-
er serious, and the whole very humor-
Gus, especially to those not directly
implicated.
The charge was against Devine and
Bridges, brought by Digs, and was
for assault and battery with intent to
commit manslaughter in the second
degree. A number of witnesses testi-
fed to the unusually quiet dispo-
sition and even temper of Mr..
Bridges, one of the combatants,
and Of the generally ~peaceable nature
Of Mr.. Devine, while it was shown that
Disgs was aggressiv e-highly SO,
at times.
The row between the parties had its
in the matter of Mr.. Devinc
declining to permit Mr.. Diggs
to stand in his Devine's) grocery to
collect claims against persons who en-
tered there. Words ensued of a bel
nature. The trouble gathered
a few days after about a grocery bill,
amounting to four dollars and a half,
due by Mr.. Digs and family, which
Devine was compelled to collect by
suit. More words resulted between
the parties after a judgment was rem
dered.
The ire of Mr., Diggs seems to have
been so thoroughly aroused that no
kind words or messages would appease
1t. To avenge his unsolaced mind he
repaired at divers times to the Deyine
grocery, stalked up and down the
pavement in front like Bombastes
Furioso, and dared all to meet him
face to face. Once he went so far as
to threaten boots to the opposite side
of the Devine and Bridges anatomy,
but when the chance presented itself
turned his own face, made tracks and
said, ''Well, sirs, l will do it
yet"
Subsequently he appeared in front
Of the grocery again (this was on the
10Th of March,, and after many aggra-
vations bantered Mr.. Bridges for a
contest. The latter had repeatedly
a collision, even under the
most trying circumstances, but this
time it was too much. Compared with
Diggs Mr.. Bridges is a pigmy in
size, but he sought to render the stu
alton even by the use of an ax-han-
die. 1t was a convenient weapon
and did excellent service, but not,
however, until Mr.. Diggs had got in a
choke or two with his brawny fingers
on the throat of his adversary. The
battle closed on the occasion by Mr..
Deyine taking a hand and separating
the fighters. No serious harm befel
any of the people interested, but since
then Mr.. Digs has steered clear
of the Deyinc corner. At
the same time he caused
the dealers Of supplies to be prosecu-
ted upon the criminal charge men
toned in the foregoing. The senti-
mcnt of all in the room was that the
jury would be about half a minute in
coming to a decision, as soon as the
case was submitted to them, and that
neither of the trio would be hung.
Ex-Judge John D. Adams was in the
midst Of a brilliant peroration in be-
half of Mr.. Digs at the noontide
hour. He was to be followed ON the
opposite side by Messrs. Samuel Gam,
NOR and U. w. Miller. A lot of en-.
joyable sport was afforded during the
course of the trial.