Sun River sun., 1884-09-11
WHO STRUCK BILLY PATTERSON 2
An Explanation Of the Famous Phrase,
"Who Struck Billy Patterson p

WV 0V uSN OuVv VateVeOV1
The question which has become 30
famous the world over-"Who struck
Billy stands in a fair
way Of being answered. The original
MIR. Patterson, who was the father of
the famous Betsy Patterson, wife Of
Jerome Bonaparte was a well-to-do
merchant in Baltimore. He sold
goods on time, securing himself by
taking mortgages on real estate The
panic Of 1897 drove most Of the trad
ers to the wall, and they found in Mr..
Patterson a hard master. In order
to collect tho money owing him by
the merchants, he foreclosed his mort
cages, visiting personally the counties
Franklin, Hart and Elbert and
bought in most of the land himself.
His conduct made for him many Bit
ter enemies, and his movements were
closely watched. While in a crowd
in GAINESVILLE Franklin county, an
impromptu riot was raised in which
one Of the mountaineers gave Patter-
son murderous blow on the side Of
the head. The memory Of this blow
embittered the rest Of Patterson's
life. He offered large reward for
the apprehension Of tho man who
struck him, thus giving currency to
tho question, "Who struck Billy Pat
terson~ Failing to secure the guilty
man in life, he left provision in his
will for the payment Of $4,000 to the
person who should answer the ques-
ton. That will is of record in the Of
fee Of the clerk Of court in the coun-
ties Of Franklin and Elbcrt. Now
comes letter from Mrs. Jennie G.
Corey Of Athol, Warren county, N. Y,
asking for copy OF the will in order
that she may claim the promised re-
ward. Her letter is addressed to the
ordinary Of Franklin county, and tells
it's own story, rs follows:
"My father struck Billy Patterson.
It was great many years ago-at
least I suppose it was, as I was a very
small child when he told mo about il.
He is dead now. As near rs I can
find out he was wild and mischievous
when young, and ran away from his
home in Vermont, where he was born
and raised by tender parents. He
was Of rowing disposition, and
among other places which he visited,
was Franklin couty, Gu. As he was
fond Of sport, he attended most Of the
public affairs. He attended the one
in Georgia I say the one, because he
left Georgia as soon Us possible, and
never returned to sec how Billy Pat
tcrson stood the effects Of his blow.
He said when the row began, and Mr..
Peacemaker. as he called Billy Pat
terson. interfered to break up the
sport, he just leveled him and dug
OUT as soon rs possible and left
Georgia forever. He went to Cleve-
land, Ohio, and us he grew older and
wiser he began to grow stricter, and
became as good an engineer rs was
ever on any railroad. My fathers
name was George w. Tillcston. He
never knew there was will made.
and am not sure that he would have
cared to have told the story, as he had
money enough, but us I am IN inva-
lid, / might us we'll have the money
If it is still offered"
The ordinary Of Franklin county
has had transcript Of the will taken
and has forwarded it to Corey at
Athol, N. Y. The next step will
probable be demand upon the rep
rescntatives Of the late Mr.. Patterson
for the money.
Mrs. Clemmer once wrote Of early
experiences: II once entered into a
written contract to write one column
per day on any subject I was instruct
cd to write on, for three years in ad-
vance, and at tho end of that three
years l had not for single day failed
to fulfill my task, which included ev-
crything from book review, comments
on government, public men and af-
fairs, ton common advertisement par-
agraph. You see I did not miss the
apprenticeship of literary work. It
was toilsome time, but it cured me
utterly of the mental perversity that
waits for the inspiration of creative
moods to do what is necessary to be
donc.' Her sister, Miss Maggie Glenn
mer, lives in Utica.
Prince William. tho eldest son Of
the Grown Prince of Germany, is, like
his grandfather, thorough soldier,
and is said to possess no common cap
aclties as 4 general and leader Of large
masses of troops. His subordinates
are much attached to him, and praise
the Kindness and care evinced by him