Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-18
LAWYERS COMBAT.
MYS9RS W. 4. HRARN AND ". P. HUBBARD
HAVE FEW HOT PUGILISTlC ROUNDS.
Tbs Fight Grows Cut Of COntsnding Litigation.
Both Men Come Out Of the Mill Rather the
Worse for the Wsar-Details Of
the Scrap.

was the "lIttle difficulty" like unto that
IN the stage work of Exit, the Arkan-
saw Traveller" but less pronounced,
which transpired In open air in Court
House square, yesterday morning. All
the worlds q stage, but the COM
bstants Of yesterday occupied only an
intinitesimal section OF this mundane
sphere, yet there would have been afull
house had harbingers been ABROAD. But
the presentation went on, without foot
lights, flies or wings.
Within the past year or two there
have been several instances where
Wheeling citizens OF marked promi-
nence have come TO risky focus, but
for bitter belligerence between two such
legal lights as w. p. Hubbard, Esq,
and w. II. Hearn, Esq, both promi-
nent members Of the Ohio county bar,
the public were unprepared. Mr.. Hub
bard was but recently an active candi-
date for Congress, while Mr.. Hearne
has more than once been posing figure
for the State Legislature. To think OF
two such prominent politicians In a
hand-to-hand combat was more than
was looked for.
The affair was O somewhat singular
one from the fact that Notwithstanding
the publicity Of the scene where the en-
counter took place, no one has been
found who saw the very beginning of
the ARRAY, or heard the words that
passed between the two men. 1t so hap
pened that no one was around at that
time, but they were not long in gather
ing.
Shortly before ten o'clock Mr.. Hub
bard was In Clerk Hooks Office in the
City Building, talking about some pre-
ferred stock with Henry M. Russell,
ESQ, who was standing on the inside
of the counter. Shortly after he walked
out OF the office and proceeded along the
corridor, passing out of the north main
entrance of the building on the way to
his office. At the same time Lawyer
Hearn was crossing Chapine street on
the cross walk, enroute to the Court
House. The two men met about oppo-
site the second window from the en-
trance to the Court House. A few
words passed between them, something
particularly engaging Mr.. Hearn, and
unable to control his feelings he
rushed at Mr.. Hubbard and struck him
a terrific blow in the face, landing with
his fist square on his nose. The blow
was such that it staggered Mr.. Hub
bard and he fell, turning as he dropped
so as to partially support himself by
his hands as he touched the SIDEWALK.
He soon recovered, however, and in an
Instant more was on his feet, and then
followed O battle to the core. For sew
eral minutes there was wild swinging
Of arms in the air, both trying des-
perately to pummel the other.
As they shot their arms
promiscuously about in the air they
gradually worked along the sidewalk to
the entrance to the Court House, where
Mr.. Hubbard fell down, and Mr.. Hearn
then proceeded to get at him, during
which Mr.. Hearn was kicked In the
stomach by Mr.. Hubbard as he was ly-
ing down.
The fight no sooner commenced than
people in the adjoining offices In the
building began to rush to the scene
Among the first on the scene were Ber-
ME Handlan, and Bert Swartz, who saw
the racket from the basement windows
of the County Clerks Office. County
Commissioner Vollinger was also on the
scene, and all endeavored is soon as
possible to seperate the combatants.
During the endeavors of intervention
Mr.. Vollinger was struck In the head
by Mr.. Hubbard who was by this time
so enfamed that he had almost lost his
hna ~
out at random. Finally Messrs. Swarz
and Vollinger got hold of Mr.. Hearn,
who was then full of fire, and led him
away TO sand pile near whore the new
jail is going up. Mr.. Handlan and
George Williams tussled with Mr.. Hub
bard, who were at first only able TO
govern one arm. At last they grabbed
his other arm and held them both be-
hind his back. In the meantime Hearne
had broken loose from his captors,
and rushed at Hubbard planking him
three times In the face. While those
who were holding Hubbard dlsliked to
see the fight so one sided, they knew
that release meont red hot continu-
ance Of hostilities, so they held on. 1t
was not long before Eearn was again
pinioned, as many of the bystanders
wishing to avoid bloodshed rushed upon
the scene, and assisted effectually in
keeping the men apart.
Mr.. Hubbard was bleeding profusely
and was taken into the County Com
'miSsioners' rooms, where his injuries
were carefully attended by friends.
He shed quite a quantity of blood, and
IL oil nf . bn ho a fxVn
cOmbatants became bespatted with gore.
Mr.. Hearn came out of the contest
little less dsmantled, although he
showed some blood, and all day yester-
day wore a gorgeous left eye. He
showed plainly that he had been in a
fight. Mr.. Hearn Immediately after
the fight went down into the base
ment annex of Clerk Hooks Office.
The police were soon notified, and
Chief Delbrugge arrested both men, re-
leasing them on personal cogniZance for
their appearance at court to-day. Mr..
Hearn was at his Office yesterday after
noon, and Mr.. Hubbard, after the fight,
was driven to his home out the pike,
where he remained the rest of the day.
Both Of the principals refused to make
any statement to reporters concerning
the affair.
1t is understood, however, that the
trouble grew out of some litigation In
volving the Riverside Iron Works, for
which corporation Mr.. William Hearne
is attorney. 1t is a case that has long
been pending, the plaintiff in the case
being New York parties who employed
Mr.. Hubbard TO prosecute the case.
OF late, it is understood, that the River
side Company has effected compromise
with the New York parties, and Mr..
William Hesrn, so 1t is reported, went
to New York and personally
effected the compromise by pay