The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-14
FIGHT ON TRAIN.
A Travelling Man Knocks Down
a Preacher
On a Union Pacific Train Near
Topeka.
A PANIC IN THE CAR.
The Preacher Gets Much the
Worst of the Fight.
[ PANIC IN THE CAR.
The Travelling Man Placed I'm
der Arrest at Topeka.

1nere was a panic on the smoking
car on the Union Pacific west bound
train due here about noon today, when
it pulled up at Perry, Is miles east of
Topeka. The panic was due to a fight,
in which J. R. Elliott, a. travelling sales
man for the Deering Harvesting Co,
knocked down and pummeled a colored
preacher from Lawrence, named Green.
Mr.. Elliott was on his way to Clay
Center At Perry a number of people
got on the train, and seats were scarce.
One of the last ones to board the car
was Mr.. Green, a co1ored preacher with
a dignifed air and lots OF small bag
gage. He stopped opposite the seat oc-
cupied by Mr.. Elliott and demanded
that the drummer give up a space to
him to seat himself. Mr. Elliott did So
making room by putting his vaIises un-
der the seat. Then the Lawrence
preacher said he guessed he would turn
the seat over.
mo you won't" said Mr.. Elliott.
well, we will see about that put in
the reverend man.
You will not turn that seat over. If
the conductor says so, I'll do it, but
not before"
"Then someone across the aisle offer
ed the Reverend Mr.. Green a seat and
the latter turned to Mr.. Elliott and in
his haughtiest tones, said: 81 am glad
to see that there is one gentleman in
the car"
By this time there was much excite
ment in the car. Passengers began to
crowd around the two men.
You are no gentleman; you are
cur" said the colored man, but he had
not finished his threat when Mr.. Elliott,
who is a large muscular man, hit the
preacher fairly between the eyes.
Mr.. Green staggered and Mr.. Elliott
hit him again. Then there was
cIinch and the car shook with the fall
of the two men. Mr.. Elliott held his
man down and punished him severely
until the latter pleaded for mercy.
COlOred men rushed onto the train
and carried out the bruised preacher,
and the train started on its way west
ward The fight caused great excite
ment in the little town. The mayor
teIephoned to Topeka to arrest the
| travelling man at the depot when the
train should arrive. The town mar
shall of Perry, Henry James, was on
board the train.
PatrOlmen Mcdowell and Lucas re
ceived the telephone message and hur-
ried to the Santa F'e junction to board
| the train. They climbed on the smoker
and ran through the cars AT one OF
the platforms they found Mr.. Elliott
and a friend, baggage in hand
Mr. Elliott did not make any resist
ance to the officers. but chartered
hack and his friend, the Union Pacific
depot agent and PatroIman Mcdowell
all rode to the police station
The friend who was with Mr. Elliott
happened to be a lawyer, and when the
station was reached he demanded that
a warrant be produced or his friend re-
| leased.
If you have a warrant we will put
up a bond; if you desire it, I can put
up ST. 600 in cash right here noW,' said
! the lawyer friend.
oh guess that won't be necessary, -
| said Taller Hopkins While the officials
POlOTR6
| of Perry, who had followed him all the
! way on the train, but had kept his
identity hidden, appeared in the door
| way He wore large star on WHICH
| read the words: Town Marshall
| He carried with him an immense club
| which looked more like a base ball bat
| than an officers club. 1t was 2S inches
in length.
Have you a warrant for this man?"
asked the lawyer friend of the Perry
| town marshal.
mo sab, I hasn't said the latter.
well you can't take him without
! one, then" said the lawyer
| PatroIman Mcdowell telephoned to
! Perry to know what should be done
| with the man. The mayor of Perry
| instructed him to turn Mr.. Elliott over
| to Town Marshal Henry James
| Mcdowell informed Mr.. Elliott that
| he was now in the charge of the Perry
| town marshal, and the lawyer friend
| laughed heartily. Word came q little
| later that both a state and a city war
| rant had been issued at Perry for Mr..
| Euiott's arrest. and he was held by
| the Topeka authorities until the time
| for the eastbound Union Pacific this
! afternoon Town Marshal Henry
| James took his prisoner back to the
| little town of Perry, there to answer to
| the charge of assault and disturbance
| of the peace. The lawyer friend went
| to Perry also.
| Mr.. Elliott is a large handsome man
| and had the bearing of a gentleman.
| His lawyer friend took the whole affair
| as a huge joke.
| The Rev. Mr.. Green is a well known
| coIored preacher of Lawrence, and he
! is also well known here among the col
| ored brethren.