The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-22
THEY CAME TO BLOWS
Col. Haines Resents an Insult
From Gen. O'Brien.
A COURT-MARTIAL DEMANDED
The Row Among Militia Comes to a
Crisis-Each Sides Version-The
Suit for Soldiers Pay.

Colonel J. C. Haines returned yesterday from
Olympia. where he and Captain James NJ Ash
ton, OF Troop B. had friendly conference on
saturday with Governor Ferry on the intended
suit against the state for payment for the ser
wees OF the militia at the mines and the colonel
had an encounter with Adjutant- General
OBrien which will bring 10 an issue the quarrel
between that officer and himself.
Colonel Haines aud Captain Ashton went to
Olympia on Saturday to arrange with Governor
Ferry for an early trial OF the suit against the
state military board on agreed state of facts.
They stopped at the Olympia hotel on their way
TO the governors residence, and there saw Gene
raj O Brien. As Colonel Haines had that morn
ing received letter from General o Brien con-
taning what he consided gross insult, he was
not feeling ut all amiable towards the general.
who was also at the hotel, and he avoided a
meeting lest there should be an encounter He
was sitting in the lobby engaged in conyersa-
ton with Captain Ashton on the pending suit,
when O'Brien approached them and said:
''The boys were acting as deputies and will be
better pleased because they will get more money
from the county than the state"
That is not true" replied Colonel Hanes.
"The boys were not working for money, but be-
cause 1T was their duty. However. if the supreme
court decides that King county must pay them,
they Will be treated differently from the way
they have been treated by some of the officers
high i'll authority"
II think we have treated them well enough"
retorted the adjutant general, "as well they
deserve. What have you to complain off"
Thus directly challenged, the colonel said
Nothing; have only this to say; that when an
adjutant general will write letter TO the adju-
tant OF a regiment, containing matter of so
insulting a character in regard TO his colonel,
that he would not dare repeat it TO the man
himself. | consider such management of the
Al to cta
81 do say it to you personally" was the prompt
reply.
Colonel Haines, who had risen from his seat
during the alteration, thereupon smacked
O'Brien's month with the back of his hand
The bystanders quickly came between the two
officers III fear that fight would result. O'Brien
was hustled away, throwing roll of music
which proved to be the song, "The Old Settler"
at the colonel as he LETT the scene of the
encounter
Colonel Haines and Captain Ashton after
wards called on the governor and arranged the
manner in which the suit against the state
should be brought. The paymaster of the First
regiment is to present his pay rolls To the audit
ing committee OF the military board for audit
and it Will be refused on the ground that King
county should pay the expenses OF the troops ut
the mines. Application will then be made to
the supreme court i'll the name OF the pay
master Tor Il writ OF mandate, to compel the
auditing committee 10 audit the accounts. The
governor agreed to interpose no technical OBJ
jections, and TO help to secure an early hearing,
The application cannot, however, be heard until
October, as the judges of the supreme court
are not all at home. At present the suit cannot
be commenced, as Herman Chaplin, who was
elected paymaster three months ago, has not yet
received his commission, owing to delay in
Brigadier General Curry's Office. Governor Ferry
promised to hasten its issue
The following special dispatch to the Posi-
lNTELLIGENCER was received from Olympia last
night:
OLYMPIA. Sept 21.-TSpecial. l-Adjntant-Gen-
eral OBrien Will tile charges against Colonel
Halnes because OF the iatter's assault upon the
former Saturday evening, and will ask Governor
Ferry to order a court martial. General 0'Brien
said today that he felt it To be his duty, in the
interest OF the maintenance OF discipline 10
take steps for the punishment of Colonel Haines.
I'll the affair only affected me personally"
said the adjutant general, 81 could not prefer