Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-06
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY
A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER.
Colonel Brady and Mr.. Van Aukcn Meet In
Anger The Republican Mass.sieetsng n

Colonel Brady aud Mr.. Van Aukcn Meet In
Anger The Republican Mass.Meetlng n
Failure.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch. ]
PETERSBURG, September 5, 1885.
Among the gentlemen who occupied
seats on the stage Of the Academy OF
Music last night during the progress
of the Republican mass-meeting were
Senator Malone. Congressman Brady.
and Mr.. j. II. Van Auken. Their calm
demeanor did not indicate to the audi
ence that but few minutes before two
Of them had met in anger behind Che
curtain, and that but for the prompt IN
reference OF mutual friends there might
have been a serious personal encounter.
For some time past there had existed
an unfrendly feeling between Colonel
Brady and Mr. Van Auken, growing
out Of some personal differences be-
tween them, and this feeling. it is said,
had extended so far as to interrupt all
intercourse. Last night when they met
on the rear stage. according to report
Colonel Brady, believing that his adj
vances would be met, extended his
hand to Mr.. Van Auken. The latter
refused to accept it, and told Colonel
Brady not to speak to him. Colonel
Brady quickly raised his gold
headed cane and struck at Mr..
Van Auken. The latter partially
warded off the blow, receiving a
bruise on the right eye and right
hand, and then made a rush for Colo
Eel Brady. Both gentlemen were seized
by friends before they met, aud we're
kept apart, though struggling to get TO-
cether. Mr.. Van Auken struck two
or three times at Colonel Brady's face,
but inflicted no damage other, posi-
bly,, than $ slight bruise. Mr.. Van
Auken is strongly-built man, and
Colonel Brady is smaller in statue, and
both full of pluck, and one or both of
them would doubtless have been severe
ly injured had they not been kept apart.
In view Of Colonel Brady's encounter
yeStcI day with Mr.. Porter at Ports
mouth, the matter was much talked OF
to-day.
A RIDICULOUS FIZZLE.
More than ten days ago it was an
nourced that Colonel r. b. Berkeley,
of Farmyille, Republican convert
from Democracy, over whom the Ma
hone people have been Growing joyous
ly, would address the Republican voters
Of this city last night. Yesterday,
with drum and fife. an effort was made
to gather together the usual crowd of
faithful allies. But the meeting was
distinctly disappointment to the party
managers. The faithful allies here IN
the home Of Senator Malone, here in
the stronghold Of Republicanism, could
be induced to assemble in meagre num-
bers only. The meeting was set for ;
o'clock. 1t was nearly Q before any
thing like a Republican audience had
assembled. At that hour General Ma
hone introduced Colonel BerGeley,
whose speech presented one sensible
feature at least-it was not as long as
originally intended. The Colonel lacked
toe spirit and the eloquence displayed
in his old-time Democratic address, and
doubtless lacked the theme that once
inspired him; or maybe his con-
tinued speaking during the past two
weeks had made him " tired. :"
He made little sensation among the
colored allies by dramatically pointing
TO General Malone and eXclaimiag I:
There's my boss. and am proud Of
it," lie declared that he could give
good and sensible reasons why he is a
national Republican, and led off by the
astonishing assertion that the Il" Repub-
lican party had given us powerful
navy, Of which we could justly feel
proud" lie would probably have said
more, but somebody said something
about " Dolphin" and then the Colonel
remarked that the second reasonhe would
adduce was the fact that the " Repub-
lican party had given us an army
which, though costing Us but little.
made Us feared and respected abroad"
The Colonel'S accustomed iiuency had
forsaken him. Subjects Of tremendous
interest lie would dismiss with a sen
tonce. As a Republican orator he was
a failure, and Republicans felt this last
night, while Democrats many Of whom
were present. rather enjoyed their dis
cOmiiture.
Colonel Berkeley alluded twice to
General Lee. and the Democrats imme-
diately gave hearty applause. The
colored brethren showed but little en-
thusiasIn, and many times seemed un-
able TO comprehend the vague and mys-
tic pIonounccmentS Of their convert.
Sometimes he would speak for several
minutes in so low tone that he could
not be heard. This forbcarance APP
poared to he highly enjoyed. The
Democratic party in this district would,
it is the general opinion here, be vastly
benefited by a continuance Of Berke-
ley's oIatOry in this section. This
much. however, can be said Of Colonel
Berkeley; He was not bitter and vim
dictivc. He was courteous and re-
spectful while discussing the merits Of
his opponents. ROBIN ADAIE.