The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-21
FIGHTING AT GAINESVILLE.
Opposite Views on the Negro Question
at the Bottom ofthe Clash.

OnpO5ite views on the Negro Question
at the Bottom ofthe Clash.
GAINESVILLE. FLA, June 2O.-The ex-
citement In Gainesville to-day has not been
duplicated since the day Harmon Murray's
dead body was brought into the court house
sousrs. Some days ago Beaumont Tench
seconded motion made at q meeting of the
gainesville Guards 20 reject the application
Tor membership Of Philip Smith. This in
censed Mr.. Smith greatly and he told some
of Mr.. Tench's friends that he had cursed
him Tench) repeatedly to his face in very
gross terms. This was told to Mr. Tench.
Yesterday evening Mr.. Tench, John Flew
ellyn and Ettene Lartlgue took a walk to
North Gainesville. At or near Mr.. Stern
berg's house they met Mr.. Graham and
Philip Smith. Tench asked MIR. Smith to stop
his "wheel," as he wished TO speak to him.
He then told Smith what he had heard.
smith replied: "Well il l said
SO. what are you going TO do about
iio The answer from Mr.. Tench was
blow in Mr.. Smiths face. Mr.. Smith
then made an effort to draw his pistol, when
Mr.. Lartigue caught his arm and told him
that he could have a far fight, but he
should use no weapon. Mr.. Smith then
moved off, saying he would catch Mr.,
Tench alone soon and would even up with
him. Coming to town he got his two
brOtlGrS, OnaEle5 EOIIllLu anu L5 WIS smith,
and arming themselves they went out in
search Of Mr.. Tench, telling persons of
whom they inquired as to Mr.. Tench's
route that they were armed and that they
intended to thrash him.
FIGHT IN THE MORNING.
llThis morning about $50 o'clock the three
Smiths passed around the Tench residence
waiting for Beaumont to come out on the
street. They were too soon. Mr.. Tench
was not up, but when he went to his place
Of business, Philip Smith came up to the
door and asked him if he was ready to
settle that difficulty. Mr.. Tenoh replied in
the affirmative. Mr.. Smith advanced to
the door sill and struck him. While they
were engaged in pounding each other
Charles Smith came up with drawn pistol
TO aid his brother. Mr.. Lartigue and
Phil Warren disarmed him and
held bin until Messrs. Tench and Smith
were separated, about which time another
Smith brother, Lewis, came up with pis-
toll TO take hand. Policeman Bennett by
this time was on hand and arrested Mr..
Tench and Phil Smith.
Mr. Lartigue went to Dr. McMillan's
drug store, his place Of business, and soon
Lewis Smith came by and called him a
- coward. Mr.. Lartigue said: Smith,
won't take that" whereupon Smith ad :
vanced and struck him. Mr.. Lartigue
Columbia when Charles Smith ran up and
began to strike Mr.. Lartigue on the head
from behind with pistol. w. G. Davis, see-
ing this, pulled him to one side and others
separated the mbatants. Mr.. Lartigue's
thumb was badly bitten by the man, and
his brother wounded him from the rear
with his pistol.
Lewis Smith was bunged up by Mr.. Lar
tigue very severely. All parties had their
trial in the mayors court and all were fined
more or less, save Mr.. Tench and Charles
Smith, who were acquitted. All these boys
are of good families and sober and indus
trious. The Smiths and Lartigues have
recently moved here from Orlando. The
Smiths on account Of their peculiar views
In regard to the southern white mans atti-
tude toward the negro. very freely ex-
pressed on all occasions, have not made any
friends here. The Tenchs and Lartlgues
are natives of South Carolina a
do not look with much favori upon those
who hold that negro is as good as a white
man, and suoh men the boys, as soldiers,
did not wish TO associate with, hence the
row, which would have been general if the
Smiths had had any friends, but seeing that
they were by themselves, the older people
did not interfere.