Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-03-14
BIRTH OF A PHRASE.
Tie Saying, "Who Struck Billy Pate
SOM" Originated In Richmond.

Tie Saying, "Who Struck Billy Patter.
SOM" Originated In Richmond.
'See that doctors Office over
there!" remarked one of Richmond's
men about town. IT,.
Eyes ON. .- .rI
"That Office marks the spot Of ono
of the most interesting events that
ever TRANSFERRED in this city, and
which gave to the world something
to talk about for quarter of CEN
fury"
Then the man about town lnpsed
into reminiscent mood and rold
the following story:
"It was away back in 1852. The
national medical convention was in
session in Richmond. Among the
delegates in attendance was Dr.. AL
Ian S. Payne of Fauquier county.
He was a powerful man, and wero
he living now could give James Cor
bett cards and spades and lick him
too.
"At the close of the convention,
which was in session three or four
days, q chosen few of the delegates
wero invited to spread at tho man.
sion of tho late DIR. R. w. HaXall.
The party was gay one, and it was
near daybreak before the guests
took their departure. This WAS on
the morning of May 8. AS they were
passing this spot, where barroom
then stood, burly, well formed
man, butcher by trade, rushed out
of that base ment door and made for
the party of M. D. IS like an enraged
bull. Several Of them dropped to
the ground. The man stood still for
a moment as If to size up the next
victim. That pause was fatal. DR..
Payne gave him stunning blow in
the face which felled him to the
ground, where he lay insensible
The party then went on to the City
hotel, where they had apartments.
1T was daylight now, and the
doctor, feeling uneasy as to the re-
suit of his knockdown blow, sent
his servant out to inquire about tho
man. When the servant returned,
he said:
"Well, Master Al, he's breathin,
and he's hit mighty hard, but / reck-
on he'll lib
1.-THE doctor feared trouble from
the authorities, however, and hired
a fast team to take him down to old
Major Doswell's, in Hanover coun-
ty, to remain in seclusion.
I'm the meantime the man who
bad been injured, whose name was
William Patterson, had gained con-
seriousness, and two officers were
sent to the hotel to find the man
that knocked him down.
1.-THE proprietor of the hotel, Buck
Williams, was equal to the occasion,
however, and called two of his bell.
boys, the smartest in the place.
"'Here, you boys, take this quar-
ter, go down stairs and ask the cop
per who struck Billy Patterson.
Skip!'
Down they went, and, according
to tho instruction of Mine Host Will
liams, approached the officer and in.
nocently asked, Who struck Billy
Patterson This question was re-
peated every few minutes until,
disgusted, the officers retired. The
boys, however, caught on to the
spirit of the joke and went into the
street, accosting every passerby
with the same query. Before the
day was over the expression was on
the lips of half the population, and
in few days 1t spread from one
end Of the land to the other and
had even reached Europe.
"Some years later DR.. Payne Wis.
tied Richmond and sent for Patter.
son. They met and became fast
friends. This is the true story of
the fall and rise of Billy Patterson "
Richmond Letter to New York
Press.