The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-06-15
CANDIDATES FIGHT.
Messrs. J. G. Mobley and W. B. Evans
Have an Encounter.
NEITHER MAN rs MUCH HURT.

Mr. Mebley Attacks Mr.. Evans, Who
ID. fends Himself. The Two
Gentlemen Are Sepa.
rated by Friends.
The Columbia State says after hav.
ing received an unsatisfactory reply tc
certain demands made by himself
upon Nj. W. Boyd Evans, Mr.. Jno. G.
Mobley OF Fairfield Thursday attacked
Mr.. Evans with a rawhide. The
affair created decided sensation, for
1t occurred almost IN front Of the
court house at a busy hour OF the
morning and before the two meD
could be parted large crowd had co..
lected.
It was evident that ID mere politi-
cal disagreement caused the affair, for
Mr. Mobley, though man Of high
spirit, has always been regarded as
very amiable aud kindly IN his nature.
He and Mr.. Evans are candidates for
the Office Of railroad commissioner,
and were contestants for the same po-
Sition two years ago. 1t was said
Wednesday that at political meet
ing at Hampton an encounter Of this
kind was narrowly averted.
Mr.. Mobley, witnesses say, struck
Mr.. Evans at least four blows with
his horsewhip which be had purchased
for the purpose. Mr.. Mobley was un-
armed and offered this, be says, as the
deepest insult which he could to one
who, be believed, had invaded his pri-
vate life in making a political cam
paign. The two clinched after the
first few passionate blows from the
rawhide, and friends rushed up. Mr..
Mobley tore himself away from those
who were trying to calm him and
there was another short encounter be-
fore Sheriff Coleman appeared and
separated the belligerent parties.
Each was put under peace bond for
$500 and summoned to appear in the
recorders court Friday morning.
Mr.. Mobley stated Thursday that in
the last campaign stories damaging to
his character were circulated. Not
withstanding the fact that he has
court records and af6davits from hon
orable men to show that the attack
upon himself was unjust, the same
stories have been put into circulation
recently. When be came to Columbia
Wednesday from his farm in Fairfield,
he was told that Mr.. Evans was re-
sponsible for the circulation Of these
damaging reports. he Immediately
determined to demand an explanation
Of Mr. Evans, and failing to get sat-
isfactory statement, be would apply
the horsewhip.
Thursday morning Mr.. Mobley, &C
companied by his counsin, Mr.. F. N.
Mobley, waited on Law Range until
Mr. Evans appeared. After introduc-
ing his cousin to Mr.. Evans, Mr.. Mob
ley stated the object Of his interview.
MI. Evans denied Mr.. Mobley's accu-
sation. whereupon Mr.. Mobley, it is
said, drew his rawhide from the paper
in which it was wrapped and struck
at Mr. Evans face. The latter, ward
ing off the blow, received the stroke
on his shoulder. In an instant several
blows with the whip were struck,
when MI. Evans closed in upon his as
Sailant.
Before serious hurt was received by
either party friends interfered and
pushed them Is or 20 feet apart. Upon
both demanding to be released and
freeing themselves, they rushed to-
gether and several blows were passed
before the sheriff arrived.
The sheriff Immediately telephoned
for Magistrate Moorman and as soon
as the papers could be executed Mr..
Evans and Mr.. Mobley were put under
peace bonds. Mr.. Mobley stated that
as far as he was concerned be was
satisfied and that he would not offer
any further personal violence to Mr..
Evans. Later both were summoned
to appear before the recorders court
Friday morning on the charge OF
'disordsr]y conduct. 1t is probable
that a full account Of the whole affair
and circumstances leading up to
Thursdays announcement may be
brought out. Mr.. Evans, when asked
by a reporter if be desired to make
statement Of the affair, said be was
reluctant at this time to 60 into the
whole matter and only cared for the
present to make the following state,
ment.
81 have been sum moned to appear
before the recorder tomorrow morn.
ing, being charged with disorderly
conduct, and I presume that Mr.,
.Mobley Is also to be tried. at the
Trial I will testify, and ID not think
it prop II for me to make statement
prior to that time"
Mr.. Mobley was also asked for any
statement that be voluntarily cared tc
make public. His position as charac'
erized by himself is as follows:
Having been informed by gentle
man Of high standing that Mr.. Evans
was using unfair methods to damage
my character gave him an oppor'
tunity to deny or confirm this, which
he evaded in an insulting manner,
then applied horsewhip to him.
II was totally unarmed, not haV'
ing even a pocket knife on my person
at the time Of the encounter. A.
much as regret having TO do this
have no excuse to offer for having
thus protected my honor, which
| hold dearer than my life.
The State says the affair between
MI. Jno. G. Mobley and Mr.. W. Boyc
Evans was not aired in the recorder!
court Friday. 1t had been expected
from the statements Of the two parties
concerning that interesting matte
would be presented. Mr.. Noble!
pleaded guilty to the charge OF dis
orderly .nduct and the case agains
W. w p rrS EvaDc wac 6iCu icSp6 a.