The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-01
AFFRAy ON THE STREET.
A Peacemaker Meets With the
Usual Reception.

OF Salem avenue and Commerce street
in which pistols, wagon nuts and iron
galore played prominent parts. The
principals in the ARRAY were Ben Spin.
die, son OF Capt. T. w. Spindle, and a
we'll known young man in town, and
three brothers who are prominent bust
ness men, V. P, Percy and e. T.. Moir
The difficulty began yesterday morn.
Ing and the facts as accurately as could
be learned last night are as follows:
Yesterday morning Frank w. Cromer
who is In the employ OF e. II. Stewart,
went to the store of v. P. Moir to collect
the rent for Mr.. Stewart who owns the
building. A difficulty arose and Mr..
Moir struck Mr.. Cromer on the head
and punished him pretty severely. About
o'clock in the afternoon Mr.. Cromer
was again in front of Moir's place on
Jefferson street and the ARRAY WAS agaia
renewed when Ben Spindle, who was
sitting in the front of his fathers
office, walked out and attempted to
part the contestants he was holding
Moir when Cromer struck M OR from be.
hind. Moir turned upon Spindle and
began striking at him thinking that
Spindle had struck him and was taking
Cromer's part. Young Spindle began to
ward of the blows and to expostulate
with Moir saying, ~ don't want to fight
you, only intended to part you and Gro.
mer." Moir kept on striking and called
Spindle liar, whereupon the young man
kne cked NOR down with his fist, and
falling with him dealt him several blows
on the head. They were soon parted by
friends and for while the affair seemed
to be over. Mr.. Spindle remained in
and about his fathers office and the
Moir brothers gathered at the store.
1T was common talk on the streets
chat tragedy might be expected.
Later in the afternoon the Moir
brothers sent message to Spindle
to come to their Office and they would
talk the matter over. He readily con.
scented, and was about to GO there
when Chief OF Police Terry and
Judge Turner thought it best to
have them all give bond to keep the
peace. and placed all four of hem under
arrest The three Moir brothers and
Spindle, escorted by the chief and
officer Flick, walked quietly up Salem
avenue with Spindle in front until the
corner at Lyle's drug store was reached,
when V. p. Moir suddenly drew large
iron slug from his pocket and dealt
Spindle desperate blow on the back
OF the head which felled him to the
sidewalk. This was followed by
others in quick succession, in which
attack e. l. Moir joined. This was
kept up until several blows were dealt
on the prestrate young mans head.
Finally e. L. NOR. the oldest of
the brothers. drew pistol and pointed
1t at Spindle, but before he could fire
the weapon was wrenched from his
hand by Thomas Kenne1ly and Captain
Foard. By this time other citizens
came up and the attack was stopped.
Mr. Spindle was taken to the Office of
DE H. Gordon Simmons, who promptly
dressed his wounds. 1t Is the opinion
OF DIR. Simmons that none of the
wounds are dangerous, although 1t ia
yet too early to form q correct dag.
nosis
1t is generally conceded that the
interfering of Captain Foard and Mr..
kennerly just at this time WAS all that
averted a tragedy.
The Moir brothers were taken to DO.
lice headquarters, where they gave bail
for their appearance and to keep the
peace.
Later In the evening warrants were
issued by Justice Wilbur S. Pole on
complaint Of Capt Thos. w Spindle, for
the arrest o. V. p. Moir, charging him
with maliciously hitting Ben. Spindle
with an iron weight. but Moir was not
arrested as DR.. ). u. Staples. his physi-
clan, gave certificate that he was un.
der his professional care and could not
safely be taken to the station house.
warrant vas also issued by the
same justice upon the complaint of Capt.
Spindle for the arrest of E. L. Moir for
attempting to shoot young Spindle. He
was brought to the station house and
gave bail in the sum of $500, with A. p.
Staples and j. A. Jamison es suret,es.
At late hour last night Mr.. Spindle
was resting quietly and was dong as
we'll as could be expected.
Statements were made that Chief
Terry was derelict of duty in not pre-
venting the ARRAY at Ly]e's drug store.
careful investigation leads THE
TIMES to the conclusion that he did his
duty, save that POSSIBILITY he should
have searched the principals for con.
cealed weapons. He endeavored to stop
the assault, but was seized by Percy
Moir and pushed across the street,
breaking away only to be seized again
and held. THE TINES does not desire
in this report to display the least bias
and has endeavored to extract the facts
from score of witnesses, each of whom
teilsa tale with considerable variations
What 10 now published is subject. to
correction in case of error. 1t Ia for
the court to settle the merits OF the
controversy according to law and Jus.
tice.
Pinkney and Barber Hanged.
MARLBORO, Md, June 3O.-Wflliam