Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-14
KEswICK.
Another Chapter In the Post-Ofice
Fight-Heavy Fine.

KESWICK, VA, November 13.-(Spe-
cial.)-Yet another chapter has been added
to the already very interesting post
Office matter at Keswick. An account
of the long squabble for this place was
published in the Dispatch some weeks
since, and but few words will be needed
TO connect that contest with the
episode OF yesterday. 1t will be re-
membered that man by the name OF
Shepherd was appointed postmaster over
another applicant by the name OF Han
cock; that several Democratic patrons
of the office fled with the department
certain charges against the appointee,
Shepherd. and backed by the sentiment
of the community at large. urged that
Hancock be appointed in his place, and
that this move was successful, and that
q little later on Shepherd had brought
a damage suit against the gentlemen
who had made the above mentioned
charges This suit was 10 have come up
for trial I'm the Circuit Court OF Abe
marie on October the 10th last, but was
continued until January next. Quite
naturally during all this time there has
not been the best of feeling between Mr..
Shepherd and the gentlemen who op-
posed him. The formers wrath, how
ever. seems to have centered particularly
on the head of Mr.. II. w. Jackson,
former postmaster at Keswick, and also
a successful merchant there. About ten
days since an affair occurred, which
came near ending very seriously. just
after dark on the evening In question,
Shepherd, accompanied by one or two
negroes, entered Mr. Jackson's store, and
buying some cartridges from the clerk
proceeded to load a pistol, which he
took from his pocket. Then walking back
to the desk in the end or the store
where Mr.. Jackson was writing, ne
drew the weapon on him and demanded
an exclamation of certain charges, which
ne alleged Jackson had made against
him. Sharp words followed and finally
Jackson said to Shepherd that he would
get himself into trouble by drawing that
pistol and using II as he was doing,
and that he had better put IL up and
go on out, as he was In no condition TO
talk or do anything else. Upon this,
Shepherd laid the pistol down on a sate
near by and remarked that he was
nlentv able TO look after himself without
| It's aid. Jac'xson then jumped up and
| pushing the Z, -tol over on his, desk. grab
| bed Shepherd by the collar and pro-
| ceeded to eject him from his store, using
| sundry kicks as auxlliaries. Shepherd
was arrested, but escaped from his cap
tors. and remained at large for week
| or ten days. Finally, he surrendered
himself and the hearing came OH yes
| terday before Justice Williams. Mr..
| Harmon. of Charlottesville, defended
| Shepherd. but despite his effort, Shep-
| herd was fined s70-$50 for assault and $40
for carrying concealed weapons. The
| case was appealed.
This bare skeleton Of very interest
ing whole will show the breezy times
we Keswickians have had during the past
! summer, and 1t will be readily seen that
| the end is not yet. However, the whole
affair has undoubtedly helped the cause
| of Democracy, and our friends, the Re-
| publicans. have gotten deserved and
| very black eye.