Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-06-14

open until or A. M, also wide open
on Sundays and holidays, selling to
men already intoxicated and then TAX
Ing money from them, more than due
They opened a new saloon across the
street from the church. Men come into
church with whisky breath, sit while,
go out and return worse than before.
The streets are thronged with drunk
en- men on Sunday nights, making 1t
unsafe for our ladies to come to church.
The insulting conduct Of officials be-
came unbearable and their refusal to
take a complaint against a saloon
keeper became a scandal.
The evidence l secured made the con-
ditiOns such that before daring to open
again my influence must be destroyed
and l driven from town. Therefore the
Ealoon-keepers and officials entered in
to a conspiracy. An article was pre-
pared and printed in the official organ
of the whisky dealers.
First, however, a fight must be had in
order to draw me into the net and thus
prove the statements made in their
article-that l was wolf in Sleeps
clothing and used to aspire to be a
pugilist. Saloon-keeper Dondero want
ed to slap my face, and, being an artist
with the gloves, sought means by
which to bring about friendly contest
for points and then secure an oppor-
tunity to slug me and prove my con-
duct disgraceful az a minister. Thus
he had me fixed. If l accepted his
challenge l was pugilist and would
not be allowed to preach again, the
officials having great influence in our
church. If l refused l was coward
and fit prey for the gang, who would
enjoy themselves at my expense and
harass me until l would have to leave.
The officials being against me and bet
ting on my showing up, l was forced
to depend upon my own resources.
So persistently did they keep at me
that l finally, at 10 p. NJ, Saturday,
Dec. 8, consented to take my chances
with one man rather than be at the
mercy of the gang. 80 l went with
them to barn which they had prepar-
ed for the occasion. l being challenged
claimed the right to furnish the gloves
and make the conditions. l got out
peculiar set of gloves, made according
to my own ideas while at college, which
the boys had dubbed "AXtell's pillows"
They chose timekeepers and referee
and appointed my second. / am twen-
pounds being feet inches in height,
a Wolverine of Yankee descent Gus
Dondero, of Italian parentage, weight
40 pounds, is about thirty years of
age, and we'll known character here
abouts.
The contest was a lively one from the
word go. / took the defensive and
maintained it until the latter part Of
he irI I hpp1D7p
sive, landing right hook on the jugu-
lar. In the fourth and fifth kept him
groggy, my aim being to convince him
without badly mjurng him. The last
few seconds of the fifth 1 landed right
and left and had him up ready and
lust about to deliver a solar pleXus
when the referee, his brother-in-law
called time and decided it a draw.
was escorted home by the gang and
wished well.
The officials and saloon element are
making it unbearable here, however
and the landlords, one of their SYM
pathizers, has notified me that my rent
is to be raised, and as there is not
vacant house in town / don't know
what the outcome will be.
Dondero has been arrested on sew
eral charges, and as the cases are sure
ones he may also have to leave town,
escorted by the Sheriff. I wish every
young man was properly trained ath-
lete learning that 1t is glorious to pos
sess a giants power, yet cowardly TO
use 1t In any but just cause which
would make better Christians and
citizens. l have spent a large share Of
my time in the study of anthropology,
and believe in upbuilding the human
race rather than uplifting it.
Mems sana in sano corpore" is my
motto, and "alternum vivo" my pur-
pose. JOSHUA j. AXTELL.