The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02
WHO STRUCK BILLY PATTERSON.
Origin of the Oft-Repeatcd and I'm
answered Interrogation.

George NJ. Slaysman, in the Punxsutawney
Penn.) News.
During the halcyon days of the Democrat
ic party in old York county Pennsylvania
some time in the forties, when to get the
nomination for the county office was tne
main thing to insure an election. the party
leaders had much to do, many consultations
among themselves and with prominent men
in several townships. Aspirants were many,
all of whom had their friends. Every effort
was made to secure the delegates 10 the
nomination convention by the several can
didates. The county officers were a potent
factor in making up the slate. TO TINS
end they held meetings in several town.
ships and in central localities to learn the
views of the prominent men, and thus MAKE
up the delegations to the county conyention
and insure the nomination they had decided
to have made. At this period the county
commissioners visited the townships to hold
appeals in the matter of assessments for
tax These appeals afforded opportunities
for consulate 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-re-
peated question so frequently asked IN point
ical journals all over our State and Nation:
''Who struck Billy Patterson" At least
two of the county commissioners were
entail Democrat, and the veritable Billy
Patterson who was said to have been
struck. Billy Patterson was also an active
and influential Democrat; Peter Ali was
subsequently associate judge of the court.
Besides these commissioners. there were
others present. among whom was an Irish
man named John Maffet. who was warm
friend of Patterson. Maffet having left the
room for a short time, it was proposed to
have little sport with him when he re-
turned. When he came in Patterson com
planned of having been struck violent
blow. This aroused the Irishman, who de
tcrmined to avenge the violent blow his
friend had received, crying out in his rage,
''Who struck Billy Patterson" When it
was limited that Peter Ali was the man who
had done the striking. fiourishng bis shfle-
lah. which he always carried with him,
Maffet approached Ali. saving. Dom you.
did you strike Billy Patterson" Mr.. ALL
begged off. denying the charge; others, in
terfering. Quoted the IriShman with the as
surance that it was a joke, and all passed
off without further demonstration.
But that was not the end of it. Some one
reported the matter and the opposing party
began to use that question in way annoy
ing to the Democrats, intimating that the
Democratic leaders had been in a terrible
fight among themselves. to their great in
Jury. and so in the progress of time when
there was q loss in the Democratic vote, or
a partial victory. and especially when the
cause of this change was not fully under
stood. the Irishman's cry, who struck
Billy Patterson" became a sort or byWord
all over the State and Nation.
The facts as given above l got from the
Hon. Adam Ebaugh. late of Stewartstown,
York county M. Fbaugh who died last
May at the age of ninety, ex-State senator,
and ex-associate judge of the court. in
formed me that he received the history
from Billy Patterson during his lifetime T
was we'll acquainted with both the commits
sioners and Mr.. Patterson during his last
illness and officated at his funeral. 7 had
several conversations with Mr.. EbaUgh
his DEATH at my request, he wrote me the
history Of the incident as given above