Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-10-05
A DUEL WITH POTATOES.
HOW A KENTUCKY PREACHER ONCE
WHIPPED A BULLY.

Pugnacity = The NeIghbOrhood Bully
Wanted 20 Settle with the Preacher.
and lie Got the Chance.
This story is told by DR.. II. C. Morri-
son:
Speaking of ministers. remarked Dr.
Morrison, ''reminds me of celebrated
duel that occurred in MiIlarstown, Gray
son county. KY, in 1S4S. In that case a
preacher was one Of the principals in an
affair of honor
sThe preacher was Rev. Mr.. Bowman,
better known as Fighting Bill Bowman
Lng. raw boned, rough-and-ready kind
n,.s ssAkI IS piety and pugnacity.
If Another preacher got upin the pull
pit and started preaching it all depended
upon Bills views on the subject as to
whether he would submit to it or not
On one occasion brother minister tried
it, and his and Bills views differed
widely on the subject.
"'Here, Brother Blank, remarked Bill,
that doctrine isn't worth pancakes. Sit
down and let me show you how to
preach.
"In pursuance Of his own ideas on the
subject Bill then ascended the pulpit
and fired volley after volley of orthodox
Gospel at the heads of his astonished
hearers.
THE CHALLENGE.
There was no foolishness about Bill
Bowman He was good man, God
fearing man in his rough way, but it was
worse than folly to undertake to cross
him when he became satisfied that he
was right.
"On the occasion In question there was
tough citizen in the audience who had
conceived violent dislike for Brother
Bowman.
HE was a holy terror In Grayson
county. in those pioneer days when men
ruled by might more than by right.
I'VE will call him Brown for short,
and whenever Brown got on the warpath
all those who did not feel disposed to
have their heads punched or bodies
bruised gave him wide berth.
ION Sunday he went to one of the
churches included in Bill Bowman's cir
cult with the avowed intention of going
for the preacher. He had determined to
settle with the preacher at once and for
all, and lie boasted of his determination
among his cronies.
Brother Bowman heard of it, and
when he ascended the pulpit steps he
had look about him that was ominous.
"He read the Scriptures, lined out the
hymns, offered the prayers and went
through with the usual routine.
"Then he took his text, and 1t was one
that was peculiarly appropriate for the
occasion and the subject in hand
"When he began preaching there was
no mistaking the drift Of his discourse.
He went for the bullies and ruffians
without gloves. and among the number
he particularized Billy Brown, who sat
scowling in corner. OF course Brown
was enraged. He waited until the SER
mon was about concluded, when he arose
and used some very pointed language
toward the preacher, and then strobe out.
1.-THE sermon was concluded with a
terrible ,denunciation of the bully and
his conduct, and then the preacher con-
cluded the service in the usual way.
"On the following day Bill Bowman
received a challenge to meet Bully Brown
in open combat to settle the matter and
remove the stains from the bully's
wounded honor.
sBrother Bowman was not backward
In the least particular, and having the
choice Of weapons, he selected them at
once.
HONOR SATISFIED.
Through his second he notified Bully
Brown that he would meet him at a
specified time and place, and that half
bushel Of Irish potatoes, selected the size
Of mans fist. should be the weapons
These were to be picked up one at time,
and the duelists were to throw them at
each other, at distance Of fifteen PAGES,
until the potatoes were exhausted or the
duelists were satisfied.
'sThis selection infuriated Brown. He
considered that It was heaping insult on
indignity. and he fairly raved overlit.
.sBut he was compelled to accept, as
Brother Bowman was firm in his posi-
tom 80
''Of course such an unique affair at
tracted a great crowd, and on the day
appointed there was an immense gather
ing at the place appointed for the fight
'.Bowman was an expert hanid at
throwing. and when the principals took
their places and the word was given.
Brown threw at Bowman with ali hir
might and missed
ssBowmau had reserved hfa fira ana a.