Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-01-19
A FREE FIGHT.

From the Staunton Daily News
Of the 14th inst. we take extracts Oh
a lively scene which occurred IN the
county court room at Staunton on
last Saturday.
The court room was cfoworo
with both prohib'tionists ana the'r
onponents, who were interested IN
the contest over the local option
election petition that was oelps
tested before Judge Charles Grat-
tan of the Hastings court.
Promptly at 3 o'clock p. m
Judge Grattan took his seat upon
the bench and soon afterwards the
discussion of the local option petl-
ton began, A. c. Gordon and VIII
liam E. Craig, counsel for the liquor
dealers, denying the validity OF
the petition, and J. b. Stephenson
of Harrisonburg, F. b. Kennedy
and J. A. Alexander representing
the prohibitionists.
Messrs. Gordon and Craig alleged
that the petition in question, which
was filed January 10, 1894 was the
same petition fled Dec. IA, 1893,
aud dismissed by the court. Con-
siderable legal sparring for advan-
tage of position was INDUCED in
Mr.. Stephenson making the fight
for the defence. Several sharp
thrusts were made at one another
during the discussion, that were OF
humorous character and were pro-
ductiye of merriment in the large
crowd of interesting spectators
THAT filled the court room and the
gallery. The contention made by
Prohibition counsel that the petit
ton of Dec. IA, 1893, had been
withdrawn instead of dismissed,
was decided by the record Of the
court as having been dismissed.
After discussion, Judge Grafton
ruled also that it was question
for proof that the petition in ques-
ton was the same petition as that
of December, IA 1893. During his
argument, Mr.. Gordon quoted his
authorities and read opiu ions civ
cred by lawyers named Bodley and
Gibbs, respectively, and scored q
humorous point when he said "You
see we have had Bodley and Gibbs
on our side" Stephenson came back
like lightning with the retort
That's the first time you ever hat
them ON your side"
: Continuing Mr.. Gordon said thai
take out the "Bread-and-butter
brigade on the petition there new
er would be enough signers tt
l bring it into court. An allusio'
was also made to those who wer
on it for revenue that was In it, II
i, which he didn't except even join
A. Noon; who was sitting insld
the bar on the opposite side from
A. C Gordon, arose and said, MI
G ordon, | denounce you as a liza
in omen court" Gordon made
break in the direction OF Moor
u. but was intercepted aud order wa
- restored. M. Gordon telling Moo
he would settle it outside, and apo
9 ogizing to the court. Judge Graf
: ton reprimanded the parties an
threatened to exclude the spect'
- tors if any further demonstration
. were made. Mr.. Gordon then n
sumed bis argument closing aber
5 o'clock.
In the meantime John A. Moo
had moved over near A. c. Gordon
Just as the sheriff adjourned coul
Noon spoke to Gordon and instan
ly each struck at the other sever
times, each scoring lick. The
n was a rush to the scene OF battl
~ and soon the swaving bodies
Of men, the rafting Of the chairs, Il
ne rapid sounds Of blows, and ang
IN words indicated a battle in whl'
We a number were engaged. 1t was
We free fight and no entrance fee W
to charged. Il was a knock-down-a1
nd drag out, in which one struck |
ey man, identified him afterwards, a
IRE apologized if he had struck frier
we Finally they were all were sc