Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-25
A PERSONAL DIFFICULTY.
Ouisrcwth Of Recent Proceedings In
the Boy colt Matter.


the Boz colt Matter.
The Labor Herald, in its issue yes
terday, published an article under the
caption "To the Public" in which
thore appeared structures upon an ar
ticle in the editorial columns OF the
State Of Thursday. The writer OF the
Herald article said +:
1--WE are satisfied that the editor. In, chief
ot the STATE did not write the edltorial OF
Thursday evening. for, as q general tnlng,
he has always taken liberal view OF Iaoot
matters and been kind and consiuera.e 10
worsingmen We would, tnerelo.e' hu' ~, ~
SuboTdinates 10 be more careful as 10 whst
they write and not attempt 10 feed the pub
tic on their windy imaginations."
A Dispatch reporter learned the fol-
lowing at the State office: Mr.. William
W. Archer, of the editorial staff, was
the author of the article in the State,
but Colonel Richard +. Bcirne, the
owner and editor, heartily endorsed 1t,
and when he reached his Office aud read
the Herald he was very indignant. lie
was determined to resent the Herdld's
attack himself, but finding that Mr..
Archer was insistent upon making a
personal matter with Mr.. Mullen, the
editor of the Labor Herald, Colo
nel Beirne agreed to let Mr..
Archer act as he deemed best,
not wishing TO have him placed
in an equivocal position, though Colo
mel Beirne was still anxious to settle
the matter himself. Early yesterday
afternoon Mr.. Archer, hearing that Mr..
Mullen was at the Herald Office, on
Main street q few doors above the State
office, walked alone hurriedly thither.
ON the steps OF the Office alluded to sat
Mr.. Mullen, with two friends standing
near. Mr.. Archer approached the
person whom he supposed from
a description furnished him to be
the man he WAS looking for. lie
asked is this Mr. Mullen? The reply
was, Yes; whereupon Mr.. Archer
struck Mr.. Mullen. Mr.. Mullen and
the two friends started down the steps,
and one Of them Immediately said 81
AIN justice of the peace, and command
the peace" Mr.. Archer asked What
is your name? lie replied, Ryall. In
the mean time Mr.. Archer had raised
cane, which he carried, to strike
smother blow in the event that the
men made an attack upon him. But
Mr.. Archer, feeling assured that
Mr.. Ryall was an officer whose duty it
was to command the peace, made no
further attack, and returned TO the State
Office. The only blow that passed was
that dealt by Mr.. Archer.
About an hour after the affair had
occurred Policeman Sweeney sworc out
warrants against Mr.. Mullen aud Mr..
Archer, and Officer Poiteaux made the
arrests. Both Mullen and Archer we're
bailed by Justice Ryall to appear be-
fore the Police Court Monday at 9:30
o'clock.
MIR. RYALL's STATEMENT.
AIr. John NJ. Ryall, one Of the wit
nesses, gives the following version Of
the difficulty
| was standing on the second step
with John II. Campbell. Mr.. Mullen
was sitting three steps above me. Mr..
Archer came up and said, looking at
Mr.. Mullen " Is this Mr.. Mullen? "
Mr.. Mullen replied, Il believe that is
my name" Whereupon Mr.. Archer
struck at Mr. Mullen, but did not
hit him. Mr.. Mullen then raised
his foot to kick at Mr.. Archer. but his
shoe only touched Mr.. Archer's cloth
ing. Mr.. Archer then raised his stick
to strike Mr.. Mullen. Being justice
of the peace, l commanded the peace.
Mr.. Archer said, "Who are you?"
said, II am an officer Of the law,
and command the peace" | then de-
sired Mr.. Archer to 60 about his bust
ness and Mr.. Mullen about his. Mr..
Archer then went in one direction and
Mr.. Mullen in another.