Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-02-23
Assault BY John S. Wise on John z.
Massey.

From the Richnaond State of Monday.
To-day, during the taking of dispositions
in the Massey-Wise contested election
case, Auditor S. Bro wn Allen was asked
the following question, concerning Mr..
John D. Smelling, by Gen. Hundley, coun-
sci for Mr.. Massey:
Questionable you not know when you
appointed lin that lie Kept bar-room IN
this city, and had you not heard that he
kept gambling saloon?
This was excepted to as Irrelevant by
Mr.. Wise with the statement that BIZ
pledges himself to put John d. Smelling
on the stand, to prove his character and
occupa.i.n, and to prove that John E.
Massey was a frequent visitor Of his
house.
Mr.. Massey replied that when Mr. Wise
proves that he will prove that the witness
is unworthy of bt lief on oath and any 9TH
er man who makes the statement.
CAPT. WISE SLABS MIR. MASSEY.
At this point. while Mr.. Hooper, the
notary, was writing the last reply of Mr..
Massey. MIR. Wise, who was looking over
the shoulder OF Mr.. Hooper, turned d
walked to where Mr.. Massey was sitting
at desk just in rear OF Mr.. Hooper, aud
tapping him on the shoulder, said, Now,
old man, l say it,
Mr.. Massey looked up from the paper
upon which he was writing az d said,
You have seen me step in there several
lines to get lunch, but"
Capt. Wise. lnterrupting him, said,
Stop! Hold onl'' but Mr.. Massey con-
tinuing. said, "if you say, or if you or ny
one else says''-ahd before getting further
Capt Wise slapped him in the face.
Mr.. Hooper. tie notary, lnterposed and
commanded the peace in the name Of the
Commonwealth, but before he could get
to Mr.. Wise he had slapped Mr.. Massey
the second time. Mr.. Z. c. Clarke and
Auditor $. Brown Allen prevented Capt.
Wise from striking Linn again.
SHOULD NOT LIVE AN HOUR.
After having bt en- separated Capt. Wise
said, w have lied on me long enough
Mr.. Massey rose from his chair and said,
"lf | could wipe yeur blood from my
hands as easily az can this insult, you
should not live an hour" Capt. Wise,
shaking his finger at Mr.. Massey, said,
You damned cid rascal. l would box
your jaws for language like that if you
were hundred and fifty years old, and in
the pulpit. which you have disgraced."
Mr.. Massey made some reply to this
ocD. Iuuuiey anu M aOOpoT, LILO nOld-
ry, protested against the matter going any
further. and Mr.. Hooper left the room for
an officer.
OPINIONS OF THE NORTHERN PRESS.
The Philadelphia Times lind comment
ing On this, say: "Mr. John s. Wise
has com nitted an act which he would pro-
badly give something to be able to recall
No particulars are gwen of the causes
leading to the encounter between Messrs.
Wise and Massey, but these do not seem
necessary in order to condemn such an act
on the part of a young man toward an old
one. Almost anything can be forgiven a
public man except rufianism. of which
Wise has already made two or three dem
onstratiOns.''
The philadelphia Press (Rep) says:
capt. Wise, the Readjuster Virglnlan,
has given lncontrovertlble proof of the
validity CT his election. By the lusty ap-
plication of bis open palm to the blushing
cheek of his adversary. Capt Wise made
PLAIN to the most skeptical that he, not
Massey, had received the lawful N .jorlty
last November. No one will doubt the
business-like and gentlemanly course of
Wise. 1t will tend greatly to the simpli-
fcation of congressional contests and save
the treasury good many large bills.''