Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-02-04
WAS ALMOST A RIOT
PoLICE COME IN AND SUPPRESS
THE TUMULT.
Water Pitchers and Gnveis Flew
Were ut Last Elected.

Waco, Tex. Feb. 3.-(special)-The
Republican county convention to-day
| to elect delegates to the congressional
convention at Temple was ''corker."
1t was probably the hottest ever held
by the Republicans of McLennan coun-
ty and at times 1t looked like verita-
BILE hurricane. with water pitchers. CAV
els and other missiles and weapons fly
ing through the air and descending
upon heads. There was u world of fun
in 1t for the spectators.
The fight has been bitter between
the Mckinley and the Reed factions.
and war at to-day's convention had
been freely predicted. The prediction
was not amlss and the factions fought
like tigers. Tonight, however, the Nc
Kinley crowd is in the dust and the
Reed contingent Is congratuiatlng IT.
self upon a complete victory. This Is
how the bail" was opened:
Chairman A. NJ. Robinson OF West
called the convention to order and In
troduced Mayor McCulloch who made
brief and enthusiastic address.
Chairman Robinson then came for
ward, and scene Of indescribable con-
fusion followed.
Mr.. Nathan Patten sprang to his feet
and nominated Robert Thompson, col
ored, as chairman OF the convention.
while at the same moment Il. ]. Henry.
colored. nominated A. NJ. Robinson as
chairman.
Both motions were put Mt the same
moment and no one could tell who voted
nor what was the issue In the tumult.
Thompson sprang upon the platform
and started in to take charge before
the result could be announced, An eff
fort was made to install both Robinson
and Thompson by the followers of each
and a general melee followed.
Nathan Patten bounded forward and
tried to get Mr.. Robinson by the throat
and four or five partisans took part,
struggling and swearing over the plat
form like madmen.
Mr.. Robinson kept his head very
well, Notwithstanding his surroundings
and at this critical juncture the police
came In at the door like rockets. Mr..
Robinson was struggling between seven
or eight men at this time, ana no NOR
tai man could tell who were his enemies
nor who were his friends Things look
ed like bloody riot when the police
came in, as white and black were taxi
Ing sides and surglng towards the plat
form.
All this time Thompson, the colored
man, stood by himself on the northwest
corner of the platform, harangueing
CTONut WIZ hesh'N stHs Inns
except the hoarse cries OF the belliger-
ents.
When the police had restored suf-
ficient quiet that the discharge of
howitzer might have been heard in the
building, Chairman Robinson, gavel In
hand, again endeavored to address the
convention.
At this juncture, however, Mr.. Pat
ten. who was very much excited. cried,
put the - out" And picking up
a pitcher of water. threw II at Mr..
Robinson, missing him but ministering
immersion to man Just behind MN
without finding out whether he wished
to be sprinkled or dipped.
Mr. Robinson said that Nathan Pat
ten was drunk. which caused the latter
to throw the pitcher.
Mr.. Robinson stepped to the edge OF
the platform where Mr.. Patten was
struggling to get up on the boards, and
as he did so NJ. ", Pntten, son OF Mr.
Nathan Patten. met him ana quicker
than a wink MIR. Robinson struck MIN
on the side of the head with his gavel,
knocking him backwards from the
platform into the extended arms of the
crowd below.
He fell with thud. and again pam
aernonit,m reigned. After time Mr..
Robinson regained the floor and start
"a the wheels OF the convention again.
Tho call for the convention was read
by Arthur Jackson. colored. who was