Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-04-09
TWO HOURS OF RIOTING
Federal officials, Judges and Gen
erals in Political Battle.
JUDGE BLIZZARD LEADS SCRAP
Rival Factions Name Delegates TO Stale
conyenon--Teler and Dawson
Both Claim VcorY.

Both Claim Vccfy.
A special dispatch from Parkers-
burg Saturday night says:
The mass convention of Wood conn
ty republicans which was held here
this afternoon was the most riotous
convention ever held IN the county.
Many heads were cracked, bloody
fights occurred on the stage where thc
leaders sat around the two rival
shairman, the police we're powerless
nd rioting continued for two hours.
Such men as Judge Reese Blizzard,
United States District Attorney );
United States Marshall O. d. Elliott,
State Senator S. T Caldwell, Adult
ant General S. b. Baker, DIR. w. W.
Monroe, deputy marshals and assistant
district attorneys were in the midst OF
the fray, and it is surprising that DO
one wac killed,
The contest in the county between
O. II. Teter, and w. NJ. .. Dawson,
rival candidates for the Republican
Gubernatorial nomination, has been
most bitter 1t is the nome OF Gov
ernor White, who is espousing Daw'
sons candidacy, and it is the political
headquarters of Teter. At least $50,
600 has been spent in the canvass for
the votes of the connty. Free trains
brought hundreds of delegates from all
parts of the county, free meals were
served and money was strewn broad
cast
The trouble began Immediately
with the calling of the convention to
order at 80. Frank s. Smith. chair
man of the County Committee, an
nounced that Frank p Meats, the
manager of Teter's campaign, had
been selected as Temporary chairman.
Irstantly w. N. Miller of Governor
Whites staff, was on bis feet with a
motion to substitute Adjutant Gener-
al S. B. Baker for Meats.
When Chairman Smith put the mo-
ton Judge Reese Blizzard rushed to
the front. seized the cane being used
as a gayel from the hands of. Smith,
tried to strike him, Hundreds of par
tisans of both sides Immediately rush
ed to the platform and the tumult be-
gan.
mounted table and General Baker
got on a chair, each at the front OF
the stage, while the crowds yelled
themselves hoarse. The Dawson men
showed Meats off the table, across the
stage and off the platform. Hats and
chairs we're smashed, blood was
drawn and hundreds Ewere graphing
and struggling until the scene resem
bled dozen football scrimmages all
in one
The Teter men rallied behind Mar
shall Elliott, Judge Blizzard, Deputy
Marshal Hit and Others and restored
Meats to his table. The chair General
Baker stood upon was smashed and
he was hoisted to the shoulders of his
1tdflisdllS. WlCc N1OtiS was ohiONch
from his table and the stage while
dozens of men were thrown bodily
from the stage to the floor five feet
below Some fought their way OUT
side the hall, where they continued
the battle.
The police force was all present, but
was powerless, although some arrests
were made. Guns were drawn in one
or two instances, but no shooting oe-
cured. A janitor was seriously wound
ed.
After two hours OF rioting the
fighters were exhausted and the Daw-
son people elected Baker as their
chairman. He entertained motions
and declared that the convention in
structed for Dawson for Governor,
and IA solid Dawson delegation was
selected. Most of the Dawson people
then left the hall. The Teter crowd
later went through the form of elect
ing Meats chairman. instructing for
Teter and selecting the Teter delega-
ton to the State convention. Two
delegations will go to the State con
vention, and while each side claims
victory neither side won.