The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-07
CREATED A SENSATION
GREW OUT OF DIFFERENCES
ABOUT WAKE MATTERS.
An AFFAIR THAT is 10 Be REGRETTED
Mir. Powell Make Statement kbou! the All al
but Mr.. Iones DECLINES 10 Make Any
Statement A Statement by
az I've Witness

Yesterday afternoon about oci2ck
in The north wing of the capitol, there
was a fight between Mr.. Robert H.
Homes, Of this city, and Mr.. CASTOR Pow
eli. member of the House from Wake
county that created quite sensation
There has been some discussion about
the Board of Education in Wake coun-
ty. and yesterday afternoon Senator
Whitaker. and Representatives Boushali'
Holland and Powell We're III conference
i'm the north wing of the capitol. MI.
Robert II. Jones. Il member of the coun-
IL executive comittee, WAS urging the
selection OF gentleman who had not
been nut on the list by the representa-
tives. 1t, seems that he was greatly
displeased because the man he had adj
yocated had not been appointed. and said
SO in plain terms. In fact, he spoke his
displeasure to Mr.. Holland pretty Wig
orously. but Mr. Holland made no re-
nly to his criticism. He was even
more emphatic in expressing his disap-
provaI to Mr. Powell. who resented the
words of Mr. Jones, and that made the
fight which brought big crowd to the
scene.
Last week Mr. Jones was selected by
The members of the Legislature from
the Fourth Congressional district as the
member from this district on the Board
of Agriculture. and ON yesterday was
elected TO that position. 1t seems that
when the legislators met to select the
member of the Board of Agriculture, two
of Wakes mcmbers-Mr. W. I'll. Hol-
land and Mr.. CASTOR Powell-yoted
~. 1,,Eh he,
was not farmer. That did not please
Mr.. Jones, and when his advice as TO the
membership of the Board of Education
was disregarded. he gave vent to his
displeasure because Mr.. Holland and
MIR. Powell had voted against him.
There were several versions of tie
affair. As well as it could be authenti-
Gated, Mr.. Jones called Representative
Powell a damned sorry Representa-
five and Mr.. Powell replied that Mr.
Jones was "a damned sorry man.
Thereupon Mr. Jones, whose overcoat
was thrown across his shoulders. struck
at Mr. Powell. but did not hurt him.
whereupon Mr. Powell drew back and
gave Mr. Jones so severe n blow on
the forehead as to knock him down on
the granite floor, inflicting n bad bruise.
Mr.. Jones rose and rushed at Mr. Pow
ell who aimed q well-directed blow on
the other forehead. They were both
very angry and going for each other Wig
oTously when friends rushed III between
them and parted them. After the words
that brought on the fight, little was said.
1t was the qiIietest sort of an encounter.
Both the men are brave and plucky.
After they were separated, Mr.. Powell
returned to his seat in the House, and
the members crowded about him and
some of them were SO indignant that Il
suggestion was made that Mr.. Jones
he deposed from the position on the
Board of Agriculture to which he had
recently been elected. If the election
had not been accomplished. member
said last night that Mr.. Jones would
have been deposed for his attack upon n
member Of the House. Another mem
her thought that some action might be
taken in reference to the matter.
MIR. POWELL'S STATEMENT
4 reporter Of the News and Observer
interviewed Representative Powell yes
rerday evening and he made the follow
inc statement of the affair:
Mr.. Robert H. Jones assailed me
i'm the rotunda. abusing and cursing me
on my vote in our conference meeting
of the members Of the Fourth Congress
sional district for the purpose of sc-
Iectfng the member of the Board of Ag-
riculture. In that meeting ! supported
Dir. Seymour, of Franklin, and he said
ii was very rascally and unbecoming
trick end that was. a d-n poor re9-
resentative TO do such a trick He used
other abusive language and curses. lie
also said | was Il coward to take such