The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-21
A DEADLY PARALLEL
TO WHO SWATTED MIR. WILLIAM
PATTERSON.
AN ARRAY BEFORE THE PosToFfICE
Mr. Dement, Says the Cause Was Politics and
Mr.. Bailey Says it Was the Absence
of Paint on the Mail Wagon.
Antique Hearing.

Postmaster G. r. Bailey and Mail
Messenger A. j. Dement, had warm
scrap before the postoffice building
about 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
In the absence of gore the main point
of interest was as to which was on
top, as the greater part of the combat
was waged while the participants We're
prone on the sidewalk.
Postmaster Bailey insists that he fell
on top and staid there.
Mail Messenger Dement, says he fell
on top and the postmaster turned him.
The witnesses are unhappily divided
and it is probable that the question.
"W'ho was on top all the timer will
take its place along side who hit Billy
Patterson" as one of the insoluble
problems of the ages.
Mr.. Bailey was seen after the fight
and asked as to the cause of it. He said:
Mr. Dement, is the mail messenger
here and has the contract for carrying
the mails to and from the depot. /
sent for him to tell him that he must
keep his wagon in better repair and
his horse in good condition. He came
into the office and | started to speak
to him about it. He replied, i will not
take any abuse from YOU! in a threat
ening manner. was not speaking to
him abusively and so | took him by
the shoulders and led him out of the
office. When we reached the steps he
threw his hand in my face and scratched
me. | struck him once and then we
clinched and fell to the side walk, |
on top Mr. Phil Andrews came out
and pulled me off,
Mr. Bailey showed letter under
date of August 23rd, 1899, from Second
Assistant Postmaster General, w. 5.
Shellenberger, saying that it had been
officially reported that the horse used in
carrying the mails here was not in good
condition and that the wagon needed
repainting Mr. Bailey was instructed
to have the wagon put in good eondi-
ton and another horse substituted by
September 30th
Mr. Dement, when asked for state
ment declared: There is politics at the
bottom of it. / am Democrat, Bailey
is Republican and wants to get me
out. He has been reporting me to the
=
stables for me and / went to his office.
/ had to wait till he got through with
others before / could see him. Then
he slapped his feet up on the desk and
said: Look here Dement,, it is ridicu-
lous the way you have been treating
me and Mr. Busbee' former postmaster.
/ replied: Mr.. Bailey / am done taking
abuse from YOU He took hold of me
and pushed me out to the steps where
he struck me- Then | went for him.
We clinched and | fell on top; he turned
me afterward. Then we We're separated.
] have been carrying one arm in a sling
for some time. Bailey knew it and
that is why he attacked me-"
Mr.. Bailey denied positively that he
had done anything against Mr.. Dement,
because he was a Democrat. "My sole
object as postmaster in speaking to him
was to see that the mail was properly
carried to and brought from the depot.
His contract does not expire for eight
or ten months yet If | were to get him
out his bondsmen would have TO carry
the mails; it is next to impossible there
fore, for me to get him out
The case came up before Justice Rob
erts at $50 and each combatant was
fined 81 90 and costs or $500 a piece
The trial was not without it's humor-
olis points and was not held so much
apparently to determine the guilt or in
nocence of the parties as their relative
position when Mr.. Andrews put an
end to the struggle. Both parties went
ON the stand and each cross examined the
other. After the facts had been de-
tailed as above Mr.. Bailey began to
cross examine Mr.. Dement,.
"What did you say when ! had you
down beating you?" asked Mr.. Bailey.
..Nothing," said Mr.. Dement,.
WASN'T / on top of your
part Of the time and part of the time
/ was on top of YOU
Mr.. H. II. Glenn said he saw the
fight from the county clerks office. He
saw the men clinch and fall
Mr.. Bailey: did YOU have good
view of us?'
Mr.. Glenn: "Yes, pretty good.
"Who was ON top?"
You were on t0p."
"See me hit him?'
YES"
See him scratch me?''
mo"
Mr.. Bailey took the stand and said
he had advised Mr.. Dement, for his own