The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-08-09

Ut AOl wac ~ L1AoASAo'
Mr.. Patterson was sitting about FIVE
feet behind where Mr.. CARY was
speaking and got up and said: Mr.
Gary. / want to explain something
Mr.. Gary turned squarely around and
said: Now, Mr.. Patterson, l want to
ask you plainly-is what | have said
about that Charleston matter true"
Mr.. Patterson said he would explain.
Mr.. Gary replied there was no use to
explain but insisted on knowing
whether what he had just said aoout
the whole matter was true or not. %
Mr.. Patterson went on to say the
candidates would not agree with Mr.
Gary. or something on that line. Mr..
Patterson said he dared him to prove
his statement by any Of the candidates.
Mr.. Gary insisted on a direct reply
as to whether his statement about the
Charleston speech was true or lot. by
this time the two men were within
arms length, looking fercely at each
other and no doubt looking for blow.
Mr.. Patterson said, yes. he denied az
being correct what Mr.. Gary had said.
IL he could not explain. Mr. Gary
then said: III you say my statement
is not correct you say what Is not So"
The two men joined. Patterson
struck out and claims to have hit hrst.
There was not a seconds difference in
the passage of blows. .-r. patterson
struck Gary an underhanded lick under
the left eye, which cut the skin TOT
half an inch long.
Gary hit Patterson on the mouth and
cut the lip and struck him under the
eye, judging from the bruise. 1t was
not a minute before half dozen men
were around the two combatants, they
were I'D against each other clinched
and several blows were passed, Dut
they were pulled apart. Gary was
taken toward the front OF the stand
and Patterson to the back. They said
nothing but were eager. and the watch
ing crowds pressed up to the stand.
Some yelled for one candidate ana
some for another. Two policemen,
Sheriff McCravey, SenatorTillman and
Chairman Smith moved for every one
to get back and sit down and get on
the stand. BY this time the candi-
dates had mopped off their faces and
wiped the blood of, for blood flowed
from both of their bruises.
When quiet was restored Mr.. Gary
faced the audience, somewhat dis
heveled and bruised, and Quivering all
over and with clinched hand, and
smoke out and said when he left home
he decided he would be a gentleman
and give no possible offense to anyone
and In turn he would not take any in
suit from anyone. He had treated Mr..
Patterson as a gentleman and friend,
but he had gone too far, and he would
allow no man to insult him without
hitting him in the mouth.
Mr.. Gary apologized with feeling and
almost tears for having fought before
ladies. and expressed his deep regret
at the incident. then he went on and
concluded his speech, cutting it here
and there. a
Mr.. Patterson was allowed to plakW
a statement and said he was yery<
sorry for the occurrence. He did not
like such things. He and Mr.. Gary
had been warm friends and he had
been a staunch friend Of the family,
but whenever a man told him he lied
he tried to put his fist in his mouth
and give him the best he had in his
shop.
When the two combatants had taken
their seat a police officer, who looks
like the pictures OF Mr. Onkelspiel,
good natured, held out his hand and
said it would cost each Of the combat
ants IS or they would have to 60 be-
fore mayors court. Mr.. Gary paid his
s. and then Mr.. Patterson, when
asked, handed over his s..
The officer, when asked about the
matter, said it always cost that
amount for a fight in the town. but
the combatants could go to court, II
they wanted to, and they might get
back their money, but they had only
one rule Mr.. Patterson and Mr.. Gary
left the stand soon after the speech OF
Mr.. Gary. BY strange coincidence
they both were guests at one home,
but they are now at different homes.
Through the efforts Of Clerk OF
Court Bolt, Mr.. Patterson and Mr..
Gary met, shook hands and agreed to
be friends and comrades to each other
as when they entered Laurens. OF
course neither OF the contestants was
hurt to any extent.
After the scrap it was uphill work
for all until Tillman was presented,
and he was received with enthusiasm.
He whooped things up and had the
boys hurrahing.
Tillman was happy and so GNd