Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-01-14
Who Struck Billy Patterson.

AO 0bIuCh LILLY 0ug0AoVA'
Many of of the readers of the "Turf,
Field and Farm know the identity Of the
parsonage who struck Billy Patterson,
thareby giving that bruiser notoriety he
would never have obtained otherwise
The hero of that memorable feat, as many
now living can testify, is no other than
the genial Nicholas Spicer,' whose
charming contributions to the columns of
this journal have gained for him wide &C.
lebrity and hosts of admirers.
Several versions of the famous old que
ry, "Who struck BILLY Patterson" have
recently appeared in the newspapers, but
as all are erroneous it is time that the
mystery should be cleared up, and when
| the public will give 'shonOr to whom hon
| or is DUE" The circumstances attending
| this adventure may be briefly narrated
| thus:
Nicholas Spicer, then a resident of
| old Gotham, where he had gone from the
''Sunny South" to complete his education
! in the chosen profession at leading med
ical college, was rapidly gaining golden
| opinions from all sorts of peoples" for his
genial manner and spirited anecdotes, both
of tongue and pen, were everywhere well
come. He was then known, if the writer
be not greatly at fault. under the nom de
| plume of "Young America. At that
time he excelled as an amateur athlete,
| and his skill in the "manly art of self-de-
fence" gave him an enviable position in
l,athletic circles. After graduating he join
ed the American Medical Association, and
his sparkling wit soon made him bright
star in the galaxy Of M. D's-meetings be-
ing held annually at some city convenient
| In
bouts the Association held its annual
meeting at Richmond, Va. Nicholas
Spices" was there IN full force. After an
evening session, which lasted until the
1--WE smt hours" the medical fraternity
in solid column, mad reached Capitol Hill,
when the door of Well-known restaurant
flew open and out bounded Billy Patter-
son, noted bruiser-qulet enough when
sober, but reckless bravado when in his
cups. Billy had been drinking heavily, as
was evident at glance, and his huge form
barred the course of the disciples OF Es-
culapius. whom he miStOOk, doubtless, for
{, posse of police bent on his capture. He
at once assumed belligeient attitude and
dashed at the head of the column, which
was thrown into sudden confusion. The
streets of Richmond were almost unfath-
enable, and several of the physicians
were thrown from the pavement into the
mud by the force OF Billy Patterson 3
charge. ''Nicholas Spicer," bringing up
the rear of the procession saw the commo-
ton in front, and perceiving the cause,
quickly prepared for action. The others
made way right and left for the lnfuria-
ted reveller, leaving ''Spicer" alone to
face the huge Patterson. Assuming the
defensive position and cody preparing fol
action, our hero received his antagonist,
la Yankee Sullivan, with heavy blo"
under the eye, followed Instantly by
another beneath his chin which sent the
belligerant backward as though thrown
from catapult. Nothing more was re-
CURED. Billy Patterson did not rise again
to the attack, and the column resumed its
way, leaving the fallen pugilist to the care
of his associates. who found no little diff
Guilty in bringing him to consciousness.
Examination proved that Billy had one
eve deeply draped in mourning and bad
ly confused jaw. which, in the words OF an
eyewitness, 'laid him up for repairs"
The next morning two policemen were
seen about the hotel where Nicholas Spl
Ger" and number of his colleagues had
secured lodgings, industrlouslY tnqulrlng
for ''the man who struck BillyP Patterson.
One of ''Spicer's'' friends quietly engaged
two street gammins to parade the princi
pal thoroughfares; asking every man, wo
man and child "Who struck Billy Patter
son?'' In less than ah hour the query Wa.
caught up and echoed by every one
throughout the town. The policemen
chagrined, had retired. The Richmond
papers humorously Published the all-im
portant question, and it soon spread, like
wild-6re, through the country. The que
ry has not lost its interest yet, and if any
person should ask in the future "Wht
struck Billy Patterson" you can answer
j.. | oil
, las Spicer'' did it; not with his littl,
, Ratchet, but with the arms which nature
gave him. for this is a true version O
, the hitherto unsettled problem, and Cal
, be amply proved if need be.-WtW Wild
aDood, IN Turf, Field and Farm.