The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-22

Latfmer and UemphflI Have Words
and Then Come to ~Blows-Like All
South Carolina Candidates Fights,
No Damage Is Done.

Charleston, ;. c., August 1.-THE
News and Couriei's campaign reporter
~telegraphs from Gaffney, S. c., as fol-
lows:
There is something either in the wa
ter or the atmosphere that calls forth
a difficulty OF sumo sort every time
candidates or officials speak here. 1t
will be remembered that it was at this
place that Senator'S Tiliman and Nc
Laurin found that arguments awaited
nothing and rendered their designations
to Governor McSweeney and the Incl
lent of the Jim Tillman-Decamp
episode, a few weeks ago. is still fresh
in the minds of the people. But today
two would-be senators came to actual
blows and all ABOUT a small matter. 1t
happened in this way:
At the senatorial and congressional
candidates meeting, held mere in the
court house today Congressman Lati-
mer was the last speaker. When his
turn came the III ner hour had arrived
and d majority of the 500 audience left.
Latimer did not want to speak to the
depleted crowd and asked permission
of the chairman 90 be allowed to post
pone his speech Until after dinner the
time allotted to the congressman. The
matter was left &C a vote and it was
unanimously ordered that the speech
be postponed.
Latimer jumped up and said: II
want you all to come back here and
hear me, for these five awyers have
been jumping on enc poor farmer, and
am going fO ln<Nor them. AC thoy,
were leaving the rear of the court
room, Hemphill said: 'Latimer you
ought not to say that for none of us
have jumped on You today you know
it. 1t has always been our rule to end
a matter before We stop and it will not
be right to infringe upon the time of
the congressman
Latimer: You want to make me
speak to the empty benches; you are
nothing for the congressman"
Hemphill: Il do oare for the con-
gressmen and you know it."
By this time they were facing each
other, and both very angry.
Latimer: Il know that you don't care
for them"
Hemphill: You know that it is not
true"
Latimer then drew back and hit
Hemphill a severe. stunning blow on
the cheek. Several men jumped in be-
tween them and the driving blow sent
by Hemphill at his antagonist fell short
of it's mark. Heinphill then grabbed
his umbrella and tried to hit Latimer
over the heads Of the intervening men,
but he could not reach him.. Several
men grabbed nold of both antagonists,
who were making desperate efforts to
get at each other. and in the Scuf1e
Hemphill was pushed back between
two hairs in the jury box, but was in
stantly helped to MS feet again. This
ended the incident as far as this cor
respondent saw and heard. 1t is re-
ported that Hemrnlil followed Latimer
out of the court room and asked him
why he struck him. and Latimer ra-
Piled:
Because you cursed me-" To which
Hemphill rejoined:
II did not curse you"
"Latimer: We'll, If you did not curse
me, I apOlryize. This latter state
r1ent is mere hearSay, but the first part
; teStimoN and vas heard and wit
.essed by any,.
The wh"'- affair was totally unex-
Dected. fo:. 'uring The entire campaign
there has t been any controversy to
amount to anything between these two
gentlemen either off or on the stand.
Both Hemp.iu and LatImer were noti-
fed to appear before Mayor Little to-
morrow and pending an investigation
both We're requirHd to put up ten dol
lars each for their appearance.