The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-08-16
BLOODY ENCOUNTER
BetWeent Prominent Citi-
zens of Canton,

Rhodes I. Gregory and Jackson w.
Pontius had a bloody encounter upon
East Seventh street in front Of tho
Paar blacksmith shop at $3.50 Thursday
morning that created great deal Of
excitement. When the fighters were
separated Gregory was suffering from a
deep cash upon the left cheek just be-
low the corner of the eye, an ugly cut
upon the head that went clear to the
skull, and several contusions that were
the result Of blows from brick In the
hands of Pontius. The latter was
bleeding freely from a cut near the
separated they were bloody pair.
, According to the stories Of those who
saw the encounter and took part in 1t,
the fight was fast and furious while 1t
lasted. Gregory and Mr.. Paar were at
the shop when Pontius drove up. They
we're talking politics and discussing
local matters. Something was said
about newspapers and Paar asked Pom
thus If he would take stock in one.
Pontius replied:
mot with such windbags as Gregory
in It."
This angered Gregory and he started
for Pontius and struck him, 1t is
claimed. Pontius kicked Gregory and
then stopped and picked up brick.
The two men then clinched and Pom
thus struck several times with his weap-
on, but they were short-arm blows and
did not have force enough to knock
Gregory down. Both men were busy
pummeling each other when bystanders
interfered and pulled them apart.
Blood was flowing from the wounds
on Gregorys face and head and 1t look
ed as though he had been seriously in
junred. Pontius's injuries so far as
could be seen were slight, though the
cut on his face bled profusely.
The affair created great excitement
and in short time crowd had gath
cred. Gregory was not satisfied with
the result of the fight and declared
that he would have 1t out with his op-
ponent.
So far as can be ascertained there
has been bad blood between the two
men for long time. They had a
wordy war at the Alliance congress
sional convention over a proxy that
Pontius held. Since that time they
have had number of alterations that
almost led to personal encounters, and
trouble of this nature was looked for
by those who knew of their differences.
Mr.. Gregory Is an ardent silverite
and Bryan man and has had a number
of contentious with members of his
party along this line of argument.
The two are also rivals In the real es-
tate business. but so far as has been
ascertained this nd not figure in the
ill-feeling existing
Mr.. Gregory was called up last eve
ming and asked if he had any state
nent to make. He replied:
81 have nothing to say-no statement
to make, though thank you for CIV
ing me the opportunity"
When Mr. Pontius was seen he said:
81 regret very much that / was
dragged into that fight. had been in
formed by a number of friends that
Gregory had threatened to give me a
thrashing, and as he was younger
man and more active, when he came
at me thought 1t was necessary to de-
fend myself. We have had a number
of controversies, but always tried to
avoid fight. l would have walked
away on this occasion only that my
team was there and could not do so
II is long story and do not care to
go into the details. 1 simply defended
myself when he attacked me. We were
Is or 20 feet apart when I made the
remark that did, and he came run
ming at me-"
No arrests have been made and sc
far as is known no information ha:
been filed by either of tho parties tc
the fight. Mr.. Gregory went to ply.
sician and had his wounds dressed and
was about the streets during the day