The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-16
TIE STRIKER OF BILLY PATTERSON
The Question Likely Settled and Two
Georgians will Get the Reward OF
$1,000.
From the Globe-Democrat.

from the Globe-Democrat.J
GAINESVILLE, Ga, March 2l.-The
public mind has been in doubt as to
who struck Billy Patterson ever since
that wonderful document, his will,
was made and put upon the record, in
which he offered $1,000 for the man
who committed the assault.
The facts, in brief, are as follows ::
Many years ago when this country
was fresh and there was less law and
order than now, there was a large
crowd Of people in town, and row
was raised in which q number Of
parties took hand, and number Of
fights. followed in which blood flowed
freely. After the fuss was somewhat
settled, Billy Patterson, the rich Bal
timore millerman, was in the edge Of
the large crowd, and was at peace with
all mankind and had no i'll will toward
any one. Very unexpectedly to him
and every one else, some one dealt him
a fearful blow, from which he was
felled to the ground and lay for some
time in stupor. He rallied and got
up, and his first inquiry was for the
man who struck him, but no one an
swered the inquiry. He then offered
500 for the man who would own to
striking him, or any one who would
give him the name Of the party who
struck the blow. The reward was un-
taken, and it remained so.
Mr.. Patterson returned to his home
in Baltimore, but was never satisfied
about the uncalled-for assault upon
him, and ever afterward, when visi-
ting this section, made every effort in
his power to find out who struck him.
A number Of years afterward he died
in Baltimore, and after his death
his will was pro5ated, in which
the item offering $1,000 for the man
"who struck Billy Patterson" is found.
The will is q remarkable document and
contains much sound advice. There
have been, perhaps, one hundred claims
for the money made here to the ordi-
nary and clerk of the Superior Court,
but none Of the claims has been ac-
complained with the necessary proof to
obtain the reward, and it is still wait
ing the proper showing to get it.
The parties have been found, it is
safe to say, who can give the name Of
the assailant and get the booty. The
parties who saw the assault and knew
who struck the blow were three small
schoolboys, who We're always on hand,
as schoolboys are, when there was any
fighting going on. The reason assigned
for no one ever telling who the party
was before is that he was very large
and stout man, and was of undoubted
courage, and it would have been death
to the informant to have told on him,
and, as Mr.. Patterson was his equal
and perhaps his superior in point of
manhood and courage, he never ad
mitted hitting the lick, and it has re-
maineC a secret until a short while ago,
when it was noised around that one of
the oldest citizens Of the town was one
Of the kids who was present at the time
and saw the blow struck; and that
prominent citizen Of Toccoa was with
him, and that they could give some
light on this much talked Of mystery.
Prof. \. J. Morris OF Bowman, who
was raised here, and was visiting rela-
tives here last week: and your cores
pondent sifted the matter to the bottom
and found that Prof. Morgan H.
Looney, now ofthis place, and, perhaps
Major John II. Freeman Of Toccoa and
3. T. King, deceased, then Of this
place, were the school-boys who were
present and saw the lick struck and
Mr.. Patterson fall. It was surmised
then that James VI. StovaIl struck the
blow, and from the best information
We can gather he was the party. Mr..
Stovall died Sc, eral years ago near this
place, and was known 10 many of older
citizens. He was brother Of Mr.. Ab
Stovall Of Dores Creek, Ga, and Mr..
Job Stovall, Of ElDerton. This will,
perhaps, give to two Of our prominent
and worthy citizens $40 each, rs it
looks Is If the matter j, clear and the
proof ample as u "wl!o struck Billy
Patterson