Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-08-01
EDITOR DoAK's FIGHT.

1t takes man of both moral and
physical courage to be good editor,
and both qualities are possessed in an
eminent degree by Mr.. III. M. Doak,
Of the Memphis Avalanche.
Some time ago shyster lawyer in
Memphis named Barnes, was trying
to slip into Federal appointment on
the strength OF an acquaintance with
Mr.. Cleveland when both of them
were boys. Mr.. Doak having informa-
ton of certain things concerning
Barnes that made him an unfit man
for appointment to Office, said in his
paper that il Barnes were appointed
he would publish matter concerning
him which would go from one end Of
the union to the other.
Barnes is a big bully, weighing over
two hundred pounds, and the other
day he made an assault on Mr.. Doak.
The following is the account of the
fight given in the Avalanche
As Mr.. Doak, editor of the Ava
Ianche, was crossing Madison street mt
the Main street cossing ON his way to
breakfast yesterday morning he was
suddenly and Unexpectedly attacked
struck he seized Mr.. Doak with his
left and struck with his right hand,
his blows being returned. Mr.. Doak
was pressed back by superior weight,
and ripped or stumbling fell to his
knees, when Gen. Cooper interfered
and with others parted the comba-
tants. Not a word was spoken by
either. Mr.. Doak WIS not injured
except us to slight scratch on the
ear. Mr.. Barnes was considerably
bruised about the face.
The next morning the following
appeared in the editorial columns of
the Avalanche
With regard to the difficulty
betweed Mr.. Barnes and the editor of
the Avalanche, the latter wishes to
say that he has no personal amnesty
against Mr.. Barnes other than he has
against any other notoriously corrupt
aud dishonest man, who may happen
to be mentioned as about to receive
high Office. The only mention made
OF MIR. Barnes was in connection with
an Office it was said Mr.. Cleveland was
about to confer on him because they
happened to be at school together.
The press is one of the guardicns of
the public service. The Avalanche
does not think that Mr.. Barnes APP
pointment would have been pleasant
to Memphis. He has misappFopri-
ated the money of an orphan and mar
rowly escaped indictment for it at the
last session OF the grand jury. In a
building and loan transaction he at.
tempted to obtain money under false |
pretenses. 1t will be remembered |
that an inquirer after brother who |
had died here during the prevalence |
of yellow fever was informed by Mr.. |
Barnes, to whom the letter was re-
ferred, that he could have the infor-
nation for the magnificent sum of
five dollars. Memphis would have
looked well with such man in Office |
in return for the glorious generosity |
of the northern people to this stricken
community. The Avalanche based |
Its reference to Mr.. Barnes ON a state
ment that he was about to be appoint
ed to office. In its discharge of pub
lie duty the Avalanche does not in
tend to he bullied or diverted from (
the line of puSlie duty by anybody.
4
in 1873 German resident of Mem
phis died of yellow fever, probably,
leaving an orphan girl of lender years.
He had but little property. yet he did
have an insurance on his life amount
ing to 81 600 or more. b. b. Barnes
was appointed guardian of this child
and collected the money due her from
her fathers insurance policy. He
placed the girl at school, and as he
invested the money. In a
few months her fathers brother came
and took her in change, and though
al /