Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-09
ON A HISTORIC INCIDENT
Pennsylvnnia Man Enlightens the
Public as to "WhO Struck
RiIlv PattersOn,"

FuDA1C HB ~ uo
Billy Patterson"
During the halcyon days Of the Democrat
ic party in old York county. Pa, some time
in the '40s. when to get the nomination for
the county office was the main thing to
insure election, the party leaders had much
to do, and many consultations among them
selves and with prominent men in sew
eral townships. says a writer in the PUNK
sutawney Pa.) News. Aspirants were
many, all of whom had their friends. Every
effort was made to secure the delegates
to the nomination convention by the sew
eral candidates. TIL county officers were
q potent factor in making up the slate. To
this end they held meetings in the several
townships and in central localities to learn
the views Of the prominent men and thus
make up the delegations to the county con-
vention and insure the nomination they had
decided to have made. At this period the
county commissioners visited the townships
ments for tax. These appeals afforded OPP
portunities for consultation, and were
used in preparing the way for the nomin-
At one Of these appeals, held at the Blue
Bali tavern in Chanceford township. the in
cident occurred which led to the oft-re.
peated. question SO frequent in political
journals all over our state and nation:
'Who struck Billy Patterson" AT least
two of the county commissioners were
present. Peter Ali. a very active and in
fuential Democrat. and the veritable Billy
Patterson. who was said to have been
struck. Billy Patterson was also an active
and influential Democrat. Peter ALL was
subsequently associate judge of the court
Resides these commissioners there were
others present, among. whom was an Irish
man named John Maffet. who was a warm
friend of Patterson. Maffet having left the
room for a short time 1t was proposed to
nave a little sport with him when he re-
turned. When he, came Patterson com.
planned of having been struck a violent
blow. This aroused the Irishman, who de
termined to avenge the violent blow his
friend had received. crying out in his rage,
who struck Billy Patterson" When 1t
was limited that Peter Ahl was the man
who had done the striking. fourishing his
shillelah.. which he always carried with
him. Maffet approached ALL. saying. dom
you, did you strike Billy Patterson" Mr..
ALL begged off. denying the charge. Others
assurance that 1t was a joke, and all passed
off without further demonstration But
that was not the end of it. Some one re-
ported the matter. and the opposing party
began to use that question in a way an
noying to the Democrats. intimating that
the Democratic leaders had been In a ter
rible fight among themselves. to their great
injury, and so in the progress of time, when
there was a loss in the Democratic vote.
or a partial victory, and especially when
the cause of this change was not fully
understood. the lrishman's cry."who struck
Billy Patterson" became a sort of by-word
all over the state and nation.
The facts as given above ] got from Hon.
Adam Ebaugh. late. of Stewartstown. York
county. Mr.. Ebaugh. who died last May at
the age of %. ex-state senator and eY-as.
that he received the history from Billy
Patterson during his lifetime. / was well
acquainted with both the commissioners
and officiated at his funeral. I had several
conversations with Mr.; Ebaugh about the
at my request. he Wrote me the history OF
the incident as given above.