Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-22
BILLY PATTeRsoNs AssAlLANT.
The Identity of the Man who Struck Him
at Last Revealed.

at Last Revealed.
Aspecial dispatch TO the Globe Democrat
from GAINESVILLE, Ca, says: 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 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 q large crowd of people IN town
and q row was raised in which q number
of parties took a hand and number of
fights followed in which blood flowed
freely. After the fuss was somewhat set
tied Billy Patterson, the rich Baltimore
millcrman, was in the edge of the large
crowd, and was at peace with all mankind
and had no ill-will toward any one. Very I'M
expectedly to him and every one else some
one dealt him fearful blow. from which he
was felled 10 the ground and lay for some
time in a stupor from the blow. He raj
lied and got up, and his first inquiry was
for the man who struck him. but no one an
| swered the inquiry. He then offered 300
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 untaken, and it remained
so until after his death.
Mr. Patterson returned to his home in
Baltimore. but was never satisfied about
the uncalled-for assault upon him, and ever
afterward, when visiting 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 probated, in which the item offering
81 900 for the man who struck Billy Pat
terson is found. The will is a remarkable
document and contains much sound adj
vice. There has been, perhaps, one hun
dred claims for the money made here to
the ordinary and clerk of the Superior
| Court, but none of the claims have been
accompanied with the necessary proof to
obtain the reward, and it is still waiting
the proper showing to get 1t.
The parties have been found, it is safe 10
saw. who can give the name of the assail-
ant and get the booty. The parties who
saw the assault and know who struck the
blow were three small school-boys, who
are always on hand, as schOol-boys are.
when there is any fighting going on. The
reason assigned for no one ever telling
who the party was before is that he was a
very large and stout man, and was OF
| undoubted courage, and 1t would have
! been death TO the informant to have told
on him. and, as MIR. Patterson was his
equal, and perhaps his superior in point
of manhood and courage, he never admit
| ted hitting the lick, and it has remained q
secret until a short while ago, when it was
nolsed around that one of the oldent clti-
| zens of the town was one of the kids who
was present at the time and saw the blow
! struck, and that prominent citizen OF
Ioccoa was with him and that they could
! give some light on this much-talked-ot
mystery.
Professor A. j. Morris, Of Bowman. who
was raised here and was visiting relatives
here last week, and your correspondent
slfted the matter to the bottom and found
/ that Professor Morgan III. Looney, now OF
this place, and perhaps Major John IL.
| Freeman, of TOccoa, and b. +. KING, de-
| ceased, then or this place. were the school
| boys who were present and saw the lick
| struck and Mr.. Patterson fall. 1t was sur
missed then that James NJ. Stovall struck the
! blow, and from the best information we
| can gather he was the party. Mr.. Stoyall
died several years ago near this place. and
was known 10 many of our older citizens.
He was a brother of Mr.. Alb. Stovall, OF
Dores Creek. Ca, and Mr.. Job Stovall, OF
| Elberton. This will perhaps give to two
| of our prominent and worthy citizens S5OC
each, as it looks as if the matter is clear
| and the proof ample as to who struck
| Billy Patterson