Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-10-02

the occurrence. He said, however, tnaI . ne
had been struck foul blow by Mr.. WISE
whom he denounced most severely ana saio
he would most assuredly hold him to strlct
accountability. Mr.. Ramsburg gave aoout
the same account Of the affair az puoiisned
above, saying that Mr.. Smith was totally
unpreparcd for the blow he received from
Mr.. Wise, and that he had no time TO re-
sent it before be was seized. He added that
he thought it very strange for Mr.. Wise to
allude to the affair from the stage pending
the arrangements for settlement OF The oil
| ficulty 1t was rumored that Smith, on his
arrival here, had promptly challenged WISE,
but nothing else connected with the affair
could be ascertained
| Mr. Smith on his arrival in Washington
was seen by reporter 10 whom hesaid:
II do not wish to say anything about the mat
! ter 1T is not fair to Mr.. Wise to allow any
| thing 10 be published until he has chance to
explain matters, and ! cannot allow myself to
be interviewed
WAS it true, then that Mr. Wise struck
you = asked the reporter; >, ,: -.
anger evidently beginning to get the better of
his resolution I'll tell you Just how it happen
cd got on the train and met Wiso at tho door.
How are YOU, John Amber he said, pleasant
~, and as | had been II friend of Mr.. Wise's
returned HIS greeting anu lTcscIIeu my lTlcHu,
Mr.. Ramsburg, OF Maryland. We sat down
together, and iii the course of our conversation
he referred To some articles which he said had
been published in the Richmond Dispatch, and
quoted from them some remarks pertaining to
himself which he objected to: told him that
he was mistaken. and he intimatcd that | was
lying. | then told him had the papers and
could prove what | said. At this he rose and,
without giving me Il word of warning, struck
me in the mouth. fell back in my seat, and
the first thing L knew several colored men jump
ed upon me, and ! heard my friend Ramsburg,
who had seized Wise, cry, Don't double up on
II man | really believe | should have boon
killed had ii not been for this timely interference
The colorcd men re- leased me, and rs the con-
ductor cane in ut that time asked him to tell
Mr. Wise that rs the difficulty had occurred
between lis two, | should expect him to settle
with me on our arrival in Alexandria. Whether
this message WAS delivered or not do not know,
but when we got to Alexandria Mr.. Wise did not
appear, and l next saw him at the meeting.
When in the course Of his remarks he stated
that he struck me rs he would any other black
guard, rose Immediately and said, You struck
foul blow, which could only have been
done by Il poltroOn and coward, and stated
explicitly that | should expect satisfaction.
Shortly after this the crowd Missed and jcered
him ST. that he WAS forced the leave the building
by the side door, and we saw no more of him.
Had Mr. Wise whipped me in fair fight
said Mr.. Smith. II look of anger settling ON his
face, Il should not have said word, but to
strike me when | had no more expectation of it
than ! have that you will repeat it, was more
than could stand, and propose TO make him
pay dearly for every drop of blood which flowed
from this wound; displaying cut on his lip
Had he come to me tonight continued Mr..
Smith. savagc!y, Il should have considered that
was doing u duty to my God, my country and
mys"lfb sticking y knife into his throat. That
was my intention ut the time, and intilnatcd As
much 10 Mr.. Wise. His friends came to me ut
the conclusion of the meeting and said that Wise
would make any apology desired but | told
them that h. could only do so through the press,
thereby acknowledging the truth ofmy dennn-
cation. am determined to have satisfaction
for this foul blow, and have already sent to
him :, demand that we settle the difficulty with
weapons, allowing him to choose anything from
Il pen knife to a doube-barrelcd shotgun. Mr..
Ransburg will see him tomorrow morning at
the metropolitan Hotel. and expect by 6 clock
4" learn his determination in the matter. 1.-The
refuses 10 give me the satisfaction require |
shall take some means to force it from him. L
have received Il gross and foul ati'ront from him,
and he can hardly avoid making some repara-
ton