Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-10
All on Account of the Dogs.

Our neighboring town of Harpers
Ferry was the scene of an uproar last
Sunday evening which might have re-
suited in mob fight on the public
streets, had it not been for the timely
Intervention of one Of her private citi-
zens-and all occasioned by two burly
dogs Of the prize-ring makeup.
On Sunday morning Mr.. Schmidt,
an employee Of the McGraw brewery
of Harper's Ferry, was prOmenadlng
on the streets, accompanied by his st.
Bernard dog. On passing the home
of the Miskimmon boys, Schmidt's
St. Bernard got his eye on the huge
mastiff owned by the Miskimmons.
These dogs never regarded each other
as friends, and Immediately a bowling
war was on. Mr.. Schmidt attempted
to separate the canine pugilists, but
was rewarded for his interference by
being bitten by the Miskimmon mas
tiff in the leg. The German now
meant business, drew his knife and cut
the mastiff severely in the back. The
fighting ceased, and Nj. Schmidt and
his St. Bernard walked off victorious
ly. Reaching home, Mr.. Schmidt tied
his dog on the back porch. A con-
ference between the owners Of the
dog an hour or 50 later seemed to fix
matters all right. But later Messrs.
Roy and Miller Miskimmon, armed
with guns, headed for the Schmidt st.
Bernard with fire in their eyes. They
passed through the lot of Mr.. Bishop,
adjoining that of Miskimmons, IN
spite of the protest of Mr.. Bishop, and
reaching the rear of the house shot
the St. Bernard on the back porch,
emptying several barrels. Mrs.
| Schmidt and her daughter were alone
in the house, and, frightened by the
shooting Just on the outside, and the
sudden congregation of about fifty
noisy men and boys who had accom-
panied the Miskimmons, rushed IN
terror to the home Of neighbor.
Later in the evening, while the peo-
pie were on their way to church SER
vices (that is, the few who go to church
in Harper's Ferry, an angry process
sion of armed men, headed by Schmidt,
started out for blood on the hunt for
the Miskimmon boys, dogs, or any
thing that might show fight. Mr..
McGraw, the proprietor OF the brew
cry, experimenting the danger Of a
mob riot, succeeded in disbanding the
German procession, and put the case
into the grip of the law. Roy and
Miller Miskimmon were placed under
bond, and the story will wind up IN
the court.
What we would like to know Is
this: Where were the city officials all
this time? What are city ordinances
and city police officers for in Harper S
Ferry, if not to do service in keeping
the peace? Are they not "called to
the kingdom for such time as this ?
We're it not for the timely and Judi
cious interference of Mr.. McGraw there
might have been on the streets Of
Harper's Ferry last Sunday evening a
repetition of the mob scene Of Chicago
during the recent riot. If Harper s
Ferry would pay more regard to
church on Sunday and less to dogs
and dog fights, it would be better not
only for the churches but also for the
city and for the dogs as well.
R.
The sequel to the above highly in
teresting occurrence trahspired Tues
day before Squire GaIlaher in Charles
town. Schmidt had the Miskimmons
arrested for unlawfully killing his dog
After hearing the evidence, Squire
Gallaher fined Roy Miskimmon, who
shot the dog, $50, and his two broth
ers S. each. Schmidt and his brother
having made threats Of violence
against the young man, were each put
under a bond of 500 to keep the