Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-06
OCHILTREE AFTER GORE
Narrow Escape Of Ex-Governor Bum Of
Idaho.

New York Special TO Philadelphia Times
duel as the result Of practical Joke came
| dangerously near taking place a few days ago
between Ex-Governor of idaho VIM. NJ. Bum
and Col. Thos. P. Ochiltree of New York Gov
Bum, Steele Mackaye, George Clark Of Days
| company. John Chamberlin and Mai. NJ P.
| Handy of Washington, Col Frank A. Burr and
Louis N. Megargee of New York were in the
| Hoffman house cafe one evening discussing the
fate OF the nation with the gentleman from
Texas. Before the party broke up Ochiltree,
on behalf Of Henry E. Dixey, the comedian,
asked his friends to attend clam bake with
him the next day at noon, and was particular
IN impressing upon them the beauties of pune
tuality.
II shall look for all of you at IL sharp" he
SAID Don't disappoint me. We go to Long
Island City by way of the saith street ferry"
The next day came. The first man on hand
was John Chamberln. He about an hour
pehind time, and supposed that Ochiltree had
become tired of waiting and had gone to the
clam bake with the rest. A little questioning
discovered that not only had every man in the
party failed to keep his promise, but the Texan
colonel had not followed his own advice. He
was still in bed
JOKE ON ooHILTREE.
Later in the evening Mr.. Chamberlin ran
across the delinquents and it was agreed that
Ochiltree should be gammoned into believing
that all hands had been punctual at the rendez-
vous and that he was the only promise-breaker
III the lot. 1t was suggested that a written
message be left expressing regret that the ap.
polntment had not been kept. Gov. Bum. see
ing the way open for a joke. wrote scathing
letter. beginning 1t with sir" and ending it
with Yours. ETC." He declared that the fall
ure OF Col Ochiltree to keep the engagement
was inexcusable; that gentlemen who had
gard for the nlceties OF life could not brook
| such treatment and that certainly no man
claiming the title of gentleman would offer it
Col. Ochiltree came down stairs late in the
day. Toward dusk he dropped into the St.
james hotel There he saw Handy, Burr, Me-
gargee and Capt. William NJ. Connor. and they
treated him very coolly. Governo; Bum act
ually turned his back and looked in another
direction. Ochiltree was told that some letters
awaited him at the Hoffman house. He went
for them. He nearly had an apoplectic fit when
he read. With kangaroo leaps he hurried back
to the St. James and bolted into the cafe almost
bursting with anger. Going directly to Gov.
Bum whose face was perfectly expressionless,
Ochiltree roared:
did you write that letter? Did you write
that, sir?''
THE CRUTCHEs WAIVED.
Bum never moved muscle. He scanned
the writing and replied calmly, 'Yes, sir. that
is my handwriting. Then" Numbered Ochil-
tree, stamping one of his crutcbes on the
floor, 'if you wrote that letter you are loafer
"a loafer, sir. Do YOU understand me-a
loafer :" AS he spoke the colonel thrust his
arm forward and shook the sheet of paper I'M
der Bunn's nose. Still imperturbable the gov
ernor permitted himself to smile in most
asperat;ng manner.
''Oh. you can do that with impunity can't
notice man on clutches. You are safe, sir"
Never mind the clutches" beloved Ochi-
tree. Never mind the crutches. I'll throw
'em away. You are a loafer, SIR"
At this point one of the party got between
the two men and Bum was seemingly induced
to step aside, while the colonel was informed
that no greater insult could be offered Bum
than to break an engagement with him. and
that for similar failure the governor had once
shot man on Chestnut street, Philadelphia.
THE DEADLY CHALLENGE.
Ochlltree then went back to the Hoffman.
The following morning the same group, with
the exception of Gov. Bum, who had left town,
were together again. when in stalked Col. Ned
Alfrend. who, with serious mien, stated that
he had called on behalf of his friend, Col.
Thomas p. Ochiltree, and asked who would
ceive letter for Gov. William NJ. Bum. With
mock seriousness Capt Common was indicated.
Col. Alfrlend. after refusing to accept any hos
pitality, said solemnly and impressively:
Gentlemen, in conSenting to act in this
matter simply wish to say that l demand for
my friend the satisfaction due to one gentle
man from another. Col. Ochiltree is fully
aware OF the gravity OF the position he has as
sumed, and he has charged me to do by him
precisely as l would do by my dead brother
were he living"
Then bowling politely he left the hotel. Mean
time Col. Ochlltree sent for Capt. Common, who.
i'll the role of moderator, offered his services
in any capacity that might be necessary. Con-
nor pictured Gov. Bunns sensitiveuess in
glowing colors and deprecated anything rash,
but Ochiltree was not to be appeased. Shortly
after this, however, one of the party revealed
the whole plot. Ochiltree invited the crowd
to have something and the saddest part of the
whole story was Dixey's disappointment-in-
stead OF twenty men at his clam bake he mad i've
or thereabOuts