The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-02

Tho following dispatch, which ap-
peared in the ISrELLIeEScER, December
0, 1889, is republished to recall en- Incl
dent in the career OF the present Dem
ocratic candidate tor governor, which
created sensation at the time:
Special Dfspateh to he InteaigenccL
CHARLESTON, W. VA, Dec. Sat the
Hotel Rutner, where Judge Jackson
and the clerk OF the United States
court, the marshal and district attorney
are boarding and occupying seats at the
same table, the death oil Jefferson DAVIS
and the views OF Secretary Noble on the
proposition Of some one that the flags
DO placed at half mast on the public
buildings, was being discussed last even
ing at the supper table. Alter the dls,
patches in the morning papers had
been read by Marshal White. in the
course OF the talk Mr.. White remarked
that the historian OF u hundred years
hence would have much less TO say OF
the patriotism, ability, statesmanship.
and humanity Of the man who knew OF
the horrors OF Andersonville and Libby
prisons and permitted them, and who
prolonged a war long after all hope Of
success ended, even in the opinions OF
his associates, papers and officials esti-
mates. From this view there was no
dissent.
This morning, while Clerk Dellicker,
Marshal White and District Attorney
Sturgiss were at breakfast, the head
lines OF the daily papers calling atten-
ton to the honors proposed by Cover
nors, mayors, judges, and other officials
in the south in connection with Mr.:
Davis death and obsequies were read
aloud by Mr.. White, and much the
same views were expressed by all. AT
this moment Mr. William A. MacCor-
kle passed by the table and friendly
greetings were exchanged by all with
him. He paused a moment at the
table and MIR. Sturgiss, abiding to the
conversation and continuing in the
same strain, said, addressing Mr.. Mac
Corkle and the rest OF the party, that it
was impolitic from party point OF
view meaning from the Demo-
cratic point of view to mag
nifty and give such prominence
TO one who had occupied Mr.. Davis pc.
sition and relationship to the history OF
the country, and that it would be better
to make less public demonstration and
extend the charity OF silence. Mr.;
White added: "And it would be as well
ii he were buried IN potter's field"
having in mind the many prisoners OF
war who filed unknown and unmarked
graves to which they have been con-
signed by the brutal policy OF jeff Davis,
and among whom Mr.. White numbered
some very dear friends and comrades in
arms, having himself gone through the
war and been shot through the arm in
one of the many fights to suppress that
rebellion, of which Davis is attempted
TO be honored as the leading spirit
Mr.. MacCorkle seemed to be touched
bv what had been said and dissented,
and referred to the fact until then un-
known by any OF the party at the table
that his father had been killed fighting
for the cause represented by Davis, and
SAID that he should not be buried in
any potters field with his consent. de
indicated that he thought his memory
should be treated with consideration.
Seeing that the sukjec. was likely to
prove source OF unpleasantness, Mr..
Sturgiss made some modifying remark,
aud after moment OF silence Mr.. Mac
Corkle passed on out of the breakfast
room. No. one at the table gave any
further thought tot the matter. In about
a hall hour Colonel Dellicker and Mr..
White returned to the hotel, having
taken a walk in the meantime, and
parted Mt the door. Mr.. White was
passing through the lobby towards the
stairway on his way to his room to get
ready for church, when he was accosted
by Mr.. MacCorkle with the remark:
"Nr White!"
The latter halted and extended his
hand in a friendly way, not suspecting
any hostility on MacCorkle'spart. The
latter said:
~ regard your remark at the break
fast table as brutal and personal, and l
don't want to shake hands with you"
White replied: you don't have to
shake hands with me; sir" and turned
away to pass on to his room.
Instantly MacCorkle, who prides him
self on his muscle, and who is u muca
younger, larger and heavier man than
White, who weighs but 1856 pounds,
struck the latter from the rear over the
right eve and temple staggering and
unexpected blow. The marshal, as soon
as he recovered, seized chair and doalt
McCorkle blow with it. Bystandsrs
interferred, but seizing another chair
the marshal attempted to strike Mac
Corkle with it, but was prevented by
the parties in the lobby, and the COM
batants were separated. White WAS
wholly unarmcd, but al once went to
his room for come weapon, Vhere no
was detained for a moment by Mr..
sturgiss, who was getting ready for
church. In spite of the protests Of the
latter he returned to the lobby, but