The sun., 1897-12-29
TINE BLOW ar mar PATTERSON.
VINE struck B,iiy ,-Lisht ON historic IN.
ctdeut.
From the Punrsufa,rnep Ne,cs.

FROM the Punrsufdbneb Netus
During the hnlcyon days OF the Democratic
party In old York county, Pennsylvania, some
time in tho forties, when to get the nomination
for the county Office was the main thing to In
sure an election. the party leaders had much to
do, and many consultations among themselves
and with prominent mon In several townships.
Aspirants were many, all OF whom had their
friends. Every effort was made to secure the
delegates TO the nomination convention by the
several candidates. Tho county officers were
q potent factor in making up the slate. To this
end they hold meetings In the several townships
and in central localities to learn the views es
the prominent men, anu thus make up the deio-
cations to the county convention and insure the
nomination they had decided to have made. AZ
this period the County Commissioners visited
tho townships to hold appeals In the matter OF
assessments for tax. These appeals afforded
opportunities for consultation, and were used in
preparing the way for the nominations at the
county convention.
AT one Of these appeals, held at the Blue Ball
tavern in Chanceford township. the incident
occurred which led to the oft.repeated quos-
ton so frequent in political journals all over our
State and nation, "Who struck Billy Pattor-
soni' AT least two of the County Commission
ers were present, Peter Ahl, very active and
influential Democrat, and the veritabe Billy
Patterson, who was said to have been struck.
Billy Patterson also active and induen-
tial Democrat. Peter Ali was subsequently
associate Judge Of the court.
Besides these Commissioners there were 9TH
ers present. among whom was an Irishman
named John Maffet, who was warm friend
Of Patterson Maffet having left the room for
q short time, 1t was proposed to have q little
struck a violent blow, This arousei the Irish:
man, who determined to avenge ,he violent
blow his friend had ;,G. rSeeiYsd CRYING out In his
was limited that Peter Ahl was the man who
had done tho striking. fourishing his shillelah,
which he always carried with him, Maffet APP
gssrRs sy Ah Mr. bessd s Sl o
denying the charge. Others interfering quietcd
the 1rishman with the assurance that 1t was
joke, and all passed off without further dem
Some one reported the matter, and the oppos-
ing party began to use that question in way
annoying to the Democrats, intimating that she
| Democratic leaders had been in q terrible
and so In the progress OF time, when there was
loss In the Democratic vote, or a partial VIC
| tory and especially when the cause Of this
MANS MANS cry y Who struck Billy Pattersoni Be.
came a sort of by-word all over the State and
The facts as given above got from tho Hon.
county. Mr.. Ebaugh, who died last May at tho
| age of 90, ex-State Senator and ex-Associate
| Judge of the court. informed me that he re-
ceived the history from Billy Patterson during
| the Commissioners,a and Mr.. Patterson during his
| last illness, and officiated at his funeral. had
! several conversations with Mr.. Ebaugh about
The matter. and few months before his death.
cident.as given above: GEORGE M. SLAYsMAN.
YORK, Pa, Dec. "a.