The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-28
MAYOR TROUNCES
 YOUNG ATTORNEY
Resents Use of Lady'S Name in
 Sundays Speech
SEPARATED BY WARDEN
Gibson, In Speech at the siIou, Alluded to the Mayor as Mir. Jen1lson'a Prospective son-ln-Law.
 Both Arrested.

Meeting at a corner yesterday afternoon at about 1 o'clock Mayor George B. Ward struck and started to throw Attorney White Gibson to the ground with the intention of horsewhipping him, when he was pulled off by R. B. Waldrop. The incident caused quite a sensation, com ing as it did just after the speech made by MT. Gibson at the Bijou Sunday after noon in which he several times brought Mayor Ward into his discourse in d fashion that was certainly not compli- mentary
 Mayor Ward had spent most of the morning in search of Gibson, with the intention of making him retract a part of his speech in which he referred to Mayor Ward as Robert Jemison's pros pective son-in-law. In regard to this the Mayor said yesterday afternoon: "I have no objections whatever to having all my official acts criticised at public meet ing.
 "I do resent, however. anybody bring ing lady's name into a matter of this kind"
 Occurred Near Warden's Office.
 
 the warden's office at the city jail, at the corner of the Jail proper. Mayor Ward had been looking for Gibson all morning, having heard of the remarks made at the theatre, carefully verified them, and decided that they were of too personal a nature to be quietly endured. l Learning that Gibson was at police headquarters the Mayor left the vicinity of the attorheys office, and purposely went through Third alley entering from Twentieth street. He carried a horse whip in his clothing but did not use 1t at any time As he came to the warden's office he stopped and opened a conversation with Mir. Waldrop. He was accompanied by Secretary Pepperman.
 1 Just at this juncture Gibson turned into the alley from police court, where he had been arguing cases Mayor Ward, not being certain, asked "Is this MT. 1 Gibson?" and on receiving an affirma- tive answer, made his attack. According to the Mayors statement he struck the attorney and then closed with him, while Gibson says he lodged the stroke.
 Warden Separates the Men.
 Only moment had elapsed, however, before Warden Waldrop who witnessed the whole affair, interfered and restored peace. He says that when he caught hold of the Mayor he had to prize his hand ouI of Gibson's hair, where 1t held a tight grip. He also says that Gibson was in q half stooping posture. Gibson was, oi course, at the mercy of his adversary No sooner were they separated than Gibson hurried off up the alley, remark ing that he would swear out a warrant for Ward Police Officer Street put the Mayor under arrest, while Policeman Nix followed Gibson to his office the bonds were fixed, and the cases set for Thurs day. In the meantime Gibson got out a warrant in the criminal court, and the papers were served on the Mayor. He will first be tried by the police court judge, and will of course plead guilty of affray If he is fined, that will probably do away with the proceedings in the criminal court
 Attorney Gibson had about the same explanation as the above but added that 1 he came around the corner, and was unexpectedly attacked, having difficulty I
 in getting his hands out of his overcoat. He is a young man well known in the city.
 Cause of the Encounter. | As will be remembered Gibson was one of the first speakers at the mass meeting | Sunday afternoon at the BiJou in the interest of the street car men. He sar- casticaily criticised Wards plan of clos ing saloons and of swearing in extra men to guard the city in case of violence, remarking that The has no heart" and to the effect that you could put all his brains in a mustard seed' Mayor Ward, however, did not so much resent these remarks, as he has previously made him self plain, as being on the fence so far as sympathy is concerned. He says his actions have been for the good of law abiding citizens, and that he is only de sirous of protecting life and property.
 The remark which he resented was the bringing into a public speech the name of a lady, and speaking of him as MT Jemison's prospective son-in-law. Mr Jemison is president of the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company. So far as the matter stands 1t seems that tbara will ba m more difffculties