The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-26
WHO srRUok Bu.lg PArrERsoNg
The Famous Query Solved at Last, and by 9
Woman, Who Claims the Reward

The Famous Query Solved at Last, and by a
Woman, Who Claims the Reward
Atlanta (Ga. Special to Courier-Journal-
The question, which has become famous the
world over, who struck Billy PattersonW
stands in a fair way Of being satisfactorily an
sWered. The original Mr. Patterson, who was
the father Of the famous Betsie Patterson the
wife of Jerome Bonaparte was in his day one
of the wealthiest merchants in the Union, and
doing business in the city of Baltimore He at
tracted much trade in the Southern States. He
sold goods on time, securing them by mortgages
on real estate The panic of 1887 drove most of
the traders to the wall and they found in Mr.
Patterson hard master In order to collect
the money owing to him by the merchants, he
| foreclosed his mortgages. He visited personally
the counties Of Franklin, Hart and Ebert, in
this State where he bought in most of the
lands himself, His conduct made for him many
| bitter enemies, and his movements were closely
watched. While in crowd in Gainesville,
Franklin county, an improptu riot was raised,
in which one of the mountaineers gave Patter-
son murderous blow on the side Of the head.
The memory of this event embittered the rest
of Patterson's life. He offered a large reward
for the apprehension of the man who struck
him. thus giving currency to the question,
seWho struck Billy Pattersonp Failing to Sc
cure the guilty man in life, he left provision
in his will for the payment Of $1,000 TO the per-
son who should answer to the question. That
will is on record in the Office of the clerk Of the
court in the counties Of Franklin and Ebert
And now comes letter from Miss Jennie G..
Corey, of Athol, Warren county, N. Y, asking
for copy of the will in order that she may
claim the promised reward Her letter is adj
dressed to the ordinary of Franklin county, and
tells It's own story, as follows:
MY father struck Billy Patterson. It was a
great many years ago, at least supposeit was,
as was very small child when he told me
about it He is dead now. AS near as can
find out he was wild and mischievous when
young, and ran away from his home, in Yer
mont, where he was born and raised by tender
parents. He was of rowing disposition and
among other places which he visited was Frank
lin county, Georgia As he was fond of sport he
attended most of the public affairs. He attended
the one in Georgia. say the one, because he
left Georgia as soon as possible, aud never re-
turned to see how Billy Patterson ever came out.
He said when the row began, and when Mr.
Peacemaker as he called Billy, stuck his name
in to break up the sport, he just leveled him and
dug OUT as soon as possible, and left Georgia
forever He went to Cleveland, o., and as he
grew older and WISER he began to grow stricter,
and became as good an engineer as was ever on
the road, and run fifteen yeare on one road, be-
sides others. My mother went from this place
to Ohio, and married my father, and was born
there. We came back here to live, My fathers
name was George W, Tilliston, He never knew
there was will made, and am not sure that
he would have cared to have told, for he had
money enough; but as am an invalid, | might
as well have the money if it is still offered
The ordinary of Franklin county has had a
transcript of the will taken, and has forwarded
it to Mrs Corey at Athoi, N. Y. The next step
viii probably be a demand upon the representa-
tiyes of the late Mr.. Patterson for the money,
and in the event Of the refusal to pay it. the
matter will become subject of litigation in one
the United States District Courts Of New York.