Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-07-04
Another High 0ld-Time Scene and
Carnival.

As If to defy the moral sentiment
of the town and keep up the show
and appearance of prosperity and sue
cess, and to give the boys chance to
show themselves, Birkett announced
admission to the rink free on Monday
night last, but for the floor and skates
10 cents. The railroad men had just
received their last months pay, the
evening was cool and everything au-
spicious. Crowds of the boysn
awaited themselves Of the generous of
fer and inducement and the heart of
Birkett was made glad by the crowd
that covered the floor. There were a
few females who graced the occasion
with their presence and quite a num-
Der of children, boys and girls rolled
and tumbled with 8 the boys" Every
thing went as merry as a marriage
bell. A number had been both invig-
grated and elevated and they spread
themselves, and others, by tripping
all over the floor, if the women ska
ting did not do attractive tumbling it,
was not /" the boys, fault. The hour
Of ten o'clock arrived and with it the
final scene.
James Painter, a painter, took the
floor, and proceeded to show his skill
as an artist. He was full"-drunk
as stated by the witness, yet he man
aged to cover the floor. {" He had paid
to skate and no id man could keep
him from it." Birkett tried it but,
could not repress him he called on
his right hand man Tom Lilly to as
sist. Tom promptly responded, and
they proceeded to skate Mathews out;
Mathews resisted, and Tom Starkey
and Dolph Shaw ran to his relief.
Jake Morgan, Vane Hamilton and
others ran to the aid Of Tom Lilly.
Tom was floored. Birkett sought ref
uge in some far away places; the
Professor I" skid out :" couple pass
es by Dolph Shaw at Jake Morgan
caused him to retreat. Starkey
mounted Tom Lilly's back and rode
him until Tom pitched him off," dur
ing all which time the yelling, cursing
ing and quarrelling was simply deaf
ening. A regular pandemonium reign
ed. Pistols and knives were out ;
Tom Lilly received a cut in the right
side, cutting through coat, vest and
shirt, grazing the skin. Finally he
extricated himself and ran out the
hall swearing at the top of his voice
and going to his shop Immediately
adjoining and getting revolver re-
turned to the rink, but the row had
caused a general stampede. The fash
ionable (?) audience had scattered in
every direction. The innocent amuse-
ment had ceased to be attractive.
Those who could ran and tumbled out
the hall and down the steps others
jumped from the windows including
several of the young ladies ~ as did
Mathews. The boys gathered on the
street Mathews had secured a revolt
yer and swore he would killed the
whole Lilly family Ia big job). He
is brother-in-law of Tom. Tom
Starkey who is staying at the Valley
House received an ugly cut on the
head from pair of skates in the hand
of Chas. Lilly. The police appearing
the boys" scattered. On Tuesday
morning a complaint was lodged be-
fore Mayor Brown, charging James
Mathews, Dolph Shaw and Tom Star
key with rioting and disorderly con-
duct. On the trial of the case the fore
going facts were developed by the
witnesses. The "boys" were fined
SIS and costs making about Sill, each.
Chas. Lilly confessed striking Tom
Starkey and was fined 81 and costs. 1t
was a high old time. We understand
that the proprietor extends general
and cordial invitation to the public,
and especially to the ladies to attend
the rink and engage in the innocent
amusement and healthful exercise
Grafton -Ed0Le.