The Forrest City times., 1905-12-01
GOVERNOR DAVIS IN 4 FIGHT.
Political Wrangle With J. A. Dinsmors Leads to Unfortunate Personal
 Encounter.

lied on Monday by rumors of a shooting affray between Governor Dayis and Hon. H A. Dinsmore, said to have oc- cured at Fayetteville. The wires were kept busy until the main facts in the case were obtained. when it was learned that although there had been serious fracas between the gentlemen named, no shooting had been done and no serious injuries in- fiicted on either party.
 It seems the difficulty arose because of the use of letter by Governor Davis in his speeches which Mr. Dinsmore claimed had been obtained by use of unfair means and was of private na- ture, and which it was unfair on the part of the Governor to use without permission.
 The facts regarding the encounter, as gleaned from published accounts, are about as follows:
 Governor Davis arrived at the Wash ington Hotel, Fayetteville, where ho is stopping. about II o'clock on Sun day night, and found MT Dinsmore waiting for him. MT. Dinsmore asked for private interview, which the Gov ernor immediately accorded him.
 Governor Davis, accompanied by friend, Oscar Moore, of Prairie Grove. and MT. Dinsmore, accompanied by Jack Walker, then went to Governor Davis room
 Mir Dinsmore then asked Governor Davis to give him letter which the Governor had read in his speech at Cotter.
 The Governor denied having the let ter in his possession, saying that 1t was in his office ill Little Rock, where upon MT. Dinsmore called him a liar and demanded that he produce the letter
 Governor Davis invited him out of the room, and, the Governor leading the way, the whole party returned to the lobby at the hotel.
 MT. Dinsmore continued to denounce Governor Davis for his conduct. say Ing the Governor had surreptitiously obtained private personal letter and misconstrued the meaning of it in order to make political capital against Sena- tor Berry
 Governor Davis, who was carving a heavy walking stick, shifted it in his hand, grasping it about half way. MT. Dinsmore, thinking that Governor Da- vis was about to strike him, hit the Governor full in the face with his fist.
 Then Governor Davis. taking a full swing With his arm. brought the cane down squarely on the side of Mir. Dins- more's head, breaking the cane In two.
 Grasping the small end of the re- naming butt of the stick, Governor paws attempted to pommel MT Dins. more, but the latter seized the stick With his left hand and with his right hand he drew pistol from his pocket and beat the Governor in the face and over the head with 1t.
 Both gentlemen have given ont statements of the affair since it's oc- currence, MT Dinsmore's account of the beginning of the fracas being as follows:
 continued to denounce ms conduct in severe language. He had a large gold-headed cane in bis hand and he shifted the stick. catch Ing IL In the middle and raising it as 1T to strike me. When he did | ctrn1k ;r my hst. He struck me over the Side of the head and broke the cane in the middle. Reversing the stick with the large end as club, he attempted to strike me with it. I thereunon drew a pistol from my pocket and struck him several blows upon tho head until he desisted and cried for heip' MT Walker was present all the time andl did nothing except prevent Governor Davis friend from interfen ing"
 Governor Davis sent telegra,ns to Little Rock early. giving his version or the affray. In a telegram to John Il. Page. his campaign manager. the Governor said:
 Fayetteville. Nov. 27.
 John H. Page, Little Rock
 "On my arrival last night I found Jack Walker and Hugh Dinsmore lying in wait for me at the hotel Dinsmore ook offense at fact that I referred to etter written by Senator Berry to him. isking whether or not he should meet ne at Bentonyille. They were both >rmed with pistols I broke my cane over Dtnsmore's head, and but for Os- sic Moore they would have carried ont heir deliberate. premeditated pur- pose to murder me This occurred about F o'clock. No one was around except Moore and the clerk at hotel. My friends feel outraged. Am not aurt seriously, and will continue my