The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-24
PEACE REICNS AGAIN
THERE WILL BE NO sPERsONAL
ENCOUNTERS IN HENRY COUNTY.
Representatives johnson and Watson
Have Shaken Hands and Parted
Seemingly Good Friends.
BOTH WILL MAKE SPEECHES
BUT THERE WILL BE NO JOINT DE-
Rate OF THE ISSUES.
The Richmond Congressman's Cam
paign begun with q Denial OF
the Slanderous Charges.
FAIR ELECTION TO BE HELD
DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION TO
BE CHOSEN BY SECRET BALLOT.
Mr.. WatsOn's Manly Denial Of the
Charges I'm the johnson Interview
Scenes in the New Castle Hotel.
The Richmond COngressman's Cam.
paign Begun With q Denial OF
the SlanderOus Charges.
FAIR ELECTION TO BE HELD
DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION TO
BE CHOSEN BY SECRET BALLOT.
Mr.. WatsOn's Manly Denial Of the
Charges I'm the johnson Interview
Scenes in the New Castle Hotel.
special to the 1ndianapclis journal.

Special to the Indianaocls Journal.
NEW CASTLE, Ind, March 23.-Henry u.
Johnson and James = Watson, two of In
diana s. best known congressional Represent
atives. came together to-day on the battle
ground of the Sixth congressional district.
The men met in the Office Of the Bundy Ho-
tel in New Castle about ID o'clock this morn
ing, and IL one is 10 believe all the stories
that heralded the meeting there should be
many New Castle people surprised to see
both men still alive an1 we'll and good for
a prospective old age Although much has
been said about the eagerness of each man
to meet the other, it may be said that to-
days meeting was accidental.
A great deal has beer printed about these
two congressional candidates in the last
week. and there were people in New Castle
to-day who doubtless believed that a tragedy
would follow the meeting of Congressman
Johnson with Congressman Watson. Moth
ing of the sort occurred. The gossips seem
absolutely disappointed. The men met,
talked over their differences and parted, each
to pursue his respective labors among the
voters of Henry county. The brief interview
between the congressional rivals was listened
to by over hundred men who crowded and
jostled into the hotel office.
Mr.. Watson spent Sunday at New Castle.
and bright and early this morning was
waiting the arrival of Mr.. Johnson, whom
he understood was to be in New Castle to-
day. Mr.. Watson occupied his time during
most of the forenoon in the courthouse with
his friend, County Clerk Hernley. Congress
man Johnson arrived at $40 O'Clock over the
Panhandle from Richmond. At the station
he was met by committee of his friends
w. II. Elliott. editor OF the New Castle
Courier; DR.. G. w. Burke, w. r. Wilson
and J. B. Landwer. The platform was
crowded, and when Mr.. Johnson stepped
from the cars many hands were extended to
him. He looked pale and worn, but he
smilingly acknowledged the salutations OF
his constituents.
Three cheers for Congressman Johnson"
proposed j. B. Landwer, and the cheers were
given right heartily.
Mr.. Johnson walked with editor Elliott to
the Courier office, where another delegation
| of the johnson faction had congregated. For
an hour Mr.. Johnson was closeted with Mr..
Elliott, and it was while they were dis
cussing the programme for the week that
Mr.. Watson's letter arrived, declining to en-
ter into a series of joint debates with his
opponent. Mr.. Elliott read the letter and
passed 1t over to Mr. Johnson but the latter
had his attention called to it in the morn
ing Journal. Mr.. johnson, while in the
Courier office, apprised of Mr.. Watson's
presence in town, and was asked If he in
tended calling his political opponent.
'I did not come here to seek a personal
interview with Mr.. Watson" he said .T
have challenged him to joint debate, and
/ see that he has refused, SO it Is left for
me to go it alone. 1 feel that we ought to
meet on the platform after all that has been
said and settle this matter there. 1 want
to face Mr.. Watson before the voters OF
Henry county,
NO BLOOD IN HIS EYE.
Mr.. johnson denied that he had come out
| from Washington seeking a personal alter
cation with his rival He did not come with
blood in his eye," he said, and he asserted
that he had been shamefully misquoted by
| the newspaper correspondents
II have come out here to refute the things
| that have been said about me-" he con-
tinued. land there is one thing that I want
| to deny now. 1t is stated in a dispatch
| from Richmond this morning that II / am
defeated by Mr.. Watson, 1 am to work
| against him on an independent ticket. That
| Is untrue and there Is authority for
| the statement God knows, would be the
last man in the world to bolt the party
| after having been defeated. No, 1 have
been trying to wage this contest on manly
and honest principles and / am willing to
accept the voice of the people of the dis
trict and will do It graciousy"
He said he had been feeling wretchedly
| Ill for several days, having but recently
passed through an attack of grip.
Mr.. Johnson did not leave the Courier
| office until nearly 10 O'Clock. He passed up
| the street with Mr.. Elliott, stopping here
and there to shake hands with acquaintance.
| When he reached the Bundy House Mr..
Watson was not in the Office He came in,
however, a few minutes later. Mr.. john
sons back was turned when Mr. Watson
| from Rushvlle stepped boldly forward and
with How are you. Mr.. Johnson extend
| ed his hand.
1t was a bold play on the part of Mr..
| Watson and the hundred or more who wit
messed the scene and saw the flash of light
in Mr.. Johnson's eye as he whirled about
held their breath and shivered. Mr. john
| son was visibly agitated. His lips trembled,
but he hes:tated to speak. Watson was cool
and smiling; 1t was instantly plain to all
| that he had taken the Richmond man by
surprise and had scored point That
moment of hesitation the part of the
alleged impetuous Mr.. johnson was full of
| for moment, however, for Mr.. Johnson
seeing the peaceful attitude OF Mr.. Watson,
| he mechanically reached forward and per-
mitted Watson to vigously shake hands
lit Is with some reluctance that 1 shake
| hands with you at this time. Mr.. Watson"
| Johnson said, and grew very pale for a
1 Then it was all over, the fight being de-
clared a draw. The meeting of these men
| appeared 10 be the signal for rush forward
by the crowd and in a half minute the
| hotel office was packed. The crowd formed
| a circle about the two Congressman and
pressed them close to each other Men
| jumped on the counters and went to des-
perate extremes TO and hear what was
| going on. Others chung to the easement of
| the windows and looked down on the central
| figures in the crowd. The women about
| the hotel have been taking an active interest
| In the contest and three or four of them
| stood in the corridors all morning waiting
| for something TO happen.
II have come back. Mr.. Watson" said
Johnson when he had regained his COM
| posure, Ito meet the charges made against
| my private character"
| watson replied that he knew nothing of
| the charges. II had nothing to do with
| them" he said firmly.