The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-12-09
SENSITIVE Mr., M'CORKLE
Assaults U, S, Marshal White
at a Charleston Hotel,
FOR CRlTICISlNG JEFF DAVIS
Aud His War PolIOy-An Unpleasant
Episode Growing Out ofa Break,
fast Table Discussion About
Davis Sunday Morning.

s.srial DiDIteh 10 hhe LalulgtgfgetL,
CHARLESTON, W. Va, Dec, SCAT the
Hotel RuGner, where Judge jackson
and the Clerk Of the United States
Court, the Marshal and District Attor-
ney are boarding and occupying seats at
the same table, the death Of Jefferson
Davis and the views Of Secretary Noble
onthe proposition OF some one that the
flags be placed at half mast on the pub
lie buildings, was being discussed last
evening at the supper table. After the
dispatches in the daily papers had been
read dby Marshal White, in the course Of
the talk Mr.. White remarked that the
historian Of u hundred years hence
would have much less to say OF the
patrlOtism, ability, craftsmanship and
humanity Of tbs man who knew Of the
horrors Of AndersOnVille and Libby
prisons aud permitted them, and who
ploIOnvrd war long after all hope OF
success ended, even In the opinion OF
hisassociales, papers and officials esti.
mates. From this view there was no
dissent,
This morning, while Clerk Dellicker,
MaIshaI White and District Attorney
Smrpiss were at breakfast, the headlines
Of tie daily papers calling attention to
the honOfs proposed by governors, may.
orr, Judges snd other officials In the
South, in connection with Mr.. Davis
death aud obspquies were read aloud by
Mr.. White, and much the same views
were expressed by all. Az this moment
William A. McCorkle passed by the ta-
bic and friendly greetings were ex'
changed by all with him. He paused II
moment at the table and Mr.. Sturgiss,
aIluding 10 the conversation and con.
tinuipg in the same strain, said, address
ing MI McCorkle aud the rest OF the par
w. that it was inpoliLic from a
party point OF view (meaning
from the Democratic point Of view
10 magnify and give such prominence
to Ont who had occupied Mr., Davis po-
stiOn and relationship to the history oi
the country, and that II would be better
to maku less public demonstration aud
extend the charity OF silence. Mr..
White added: "And II would be Us well
Il he were buried In n pOtter's field"
having in mind the many prisoners Of
war who filed unknown and unmarked
graves to which they have been con.
signed by the brutal policy Of JEFF Davis,
and among whom Mr. White numbered
Sanu very dear friends and comrades In
arms, having himself went through the
war aud been shot through the arm In
One Of tho many fights to suppress that
rebt lion, OF which Davis Is attempted
tO br hOnOred as the leading tpirit.
Mr.. MCCOrklp seemed TO be touched
by What had been said and dlssented, and
referred to the fact until then unknown
by any Ui the party AT tho table that his
father had been killed fighting for the
cause represented by Davis, and said
that be- should not DO buried in any
polter's field with his consent. He in.
diCatrd that he thought his memory
should be treated with consideration
Seeing that the subject was likely to
prove u source OF unpleasantness, Mr.,
Slurgiss made some modifying remark
AMI after u moment OF silence Mr.. Nc.
COlkle passed on out Of tie breakfast
room. No one at the table gave any
further thought TO the matter. In about
half hour Colonel DelliCker aud Mr..
White returned 10 the hotel, having
taken u walk In the meantime, and part
cd at the door. Mr.. White was passing
through the lobby towards the stair.
way on his way to his rOom 10 get ready
for church, when he was aCcosted by
Mr.. MCCOtkle with the remark: "Mr.
Whilem
The atter halted and extended his
hand in friendly way, not suspecting
any hostility on MCCorkle's part. The
latter said:
"lngurd your remark at the break.
iast table as brutal and personal, and l
don't want to shake hands with you,n
White replied: "YOu don't have to
shake hands with me, Sir, and turned
away to pass on to his room.
Instantly MCCOrkle, who prides him
sell Oh his muscle, and who is much
younger, larger and heavier man than
White, who weighs but lS6 pounds,
struck the latter from the rear over the
rightey and temple " staggering and
unexpected blow. The Marshal, az soon
as he recovered, seized a chair and dealt
MCCorEIu blow with Ii. Bystandets
inlrtlrted, but seizing another chair the
Marshal attempted to strike MCCorkle
wtthit, but was prevented by the parties
in thc lobby, aud the CombAtants were
separated. White was wholly unRrmed,
but ut once went to his room for some
weapon, whGrG he was detained for a
moment by MIR. SturgiSs, who was get
uhg ready for church. In spite OF the
protests Ol the latter he returned 10 the