The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-16

sippian-a Democratic weekly with Pro-
hibttion tendencies. AT the same time
Rhoder.ck Dhu Gambreil, another young
man about Martins age and a close
friend of the editor of the New Misslp-
plan, likewise removed his lares and
penates TO the capital from the little viii
laSe OF Clinton, and started the weekly
Sword and Shield as the official organ OF
the Mississippi Prohfbitionists. John
Martin was recognized, for all his lack
of years, as pne most forcible newspaper
writer In this section, and his friend
Gambrell was a close second. Together
these boys began an attack on Colonel
Hamilton, the leader of the opposition
which for Virulence and audacity has
rarely had an equal In the annals OF
American journalistic warfare. Not an
issue of either paper came from the press
that was not filed with denunciations
of Hamilton and his record. He was held
up 10 scorn as the boss OF State politics.
the corrupter Of legislator and the black
beast OF all people who desired honest
government.
AT first Hamilton felt himself above
the onslaushts Of two such springolds as
Martin and Gambrell and so expressed
himself But after the warfare had been
Kept up for several months the editor of
the New Orleans Times-Democrat wrote
an editorial denouncing the Mississippi
Prohip!tionists and the injustice OF their
attack upon reputable citizens. No
names We're mentioned IN this article.
but Il pointed so plainly to Martin and
| Gambrell VS., Hamilton that there was no
| mistak!ng its meaning. No sooner had
the editorial come to the notice of young
Gamorell-who was an expert pistol
shot-than he posted his friend Martin
off 10 New Orleans as the bearer of a
cartel to the editor OF the Tlmes-Demo-
crat The challenge was ignored, but
nevertheless ha tyx,n
Journalists into still greater prominence
as fact!onists and fire-eaters
Meanwhile Colonel Hamilton had re-
fnained from politics as much as posi-
BILE, and kept out of the fight raging
between "Proh.bs." and "Anti-Pro-
hibs." in order to give his attention and
energies to the construction of Gulfport
and Its railway. When he heard of
GambrelPs challenge to Baker, how
ever, he expressed his opinion-and ex-
that the boyish editor of the Sword
and Shield was cowardly notoriety
seeker, and couldn't be forced into a
hghi If the opportunity We're offered
| him.
This remark reached Gambrelps ears
me same afternoon it was made, and
| again his friend Martin was sent as the
nearer OF a challenge to mortal combat
this time 10 Colonel Hamilton, who
treated 1t with silent scorn.
This sort of thing could not last much
Longer without resort to arms; and
hnally in the Issue OF the Sword and
Shield following Hamilton's refusal to
recognize young Gambrells challenge.
there appeared an article which, in the
Hernacuiar OF the swamps, was filled
Win piZen II pretended to review the
career of the President of the Gulf and
ship Island Railway Company from
boyhood up, touching, with no light
hand, his army record, his financial
methods. his personal habits and wind
ing up with the allegation that rs iessee
or the state peniientiary Hamilton had
robbed the citizens of Mississippi out OF
This was the signal for war!
IN all or the attacks Heretofore made
by Gambrell and Martinthere had never
been specific charge of DOWNRIGHT
dishonesty, and now Colonel Hamilton