The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-07-23

Mr. Bonitz Was Quite Seriously In
jurcd. the Extent of Which Cannot
be known Until Two OF Three
DAYS Have Passcd-TrOubie Re
suited From Discussion Relative
to Removal OF Waste Lumber
From Around Beach Cottages.
Mr. Henry f. Bonitz the we'll known
architect of this city, was seriously
hurt yesterday morning in a personal
alteration with Mr.. Tom Simmons, a
local contractor, and member OF the
firm of Simmons and Revellle, aud
his condition is said to be quite serious
After the encounter, which occurred at
Wrightsville Beach, Mr.. BOnitZ made
his way to his cottage nearby and ply
sicians were summoned to attend TO
his injuries. His face and body were
a mass of bruises and he was bleeding
freely from the mouth, ears and nose.
During the day his face became ter
ribly swollen and it is stated hat it
will be two or three days before his
condition is known. There were Sorle
fears that conclusion Of the brain
might result and there might be other
complications.
The stories of the difficulty are en-
tirely at variance as given by he two
parties andan official investigation be-
fore the courts will be necessary to
find u the facts in the case.
Mr.. Bonitz drew the plans and was
the architect in charge of the cree
lion of the Wrightsville Beach Suburb
an and Development Company's cot
tages on the Beach AID MesSrs. Sim
mons and Reveille were the contract
ors. The encounter grew out of diff
f~erences etWee these over the Ie-
mOval Of waste lumber, which had
been left lying for some time around
the cottages.
Mr.. Bonitz. it is understood, acting
under adViceS from the Consolidated
Company, told one of the members of
the firm two or three days ago that
the refuse lumber would have to be
moved by Tuesday morning and if it
was not out of the Way by Tuesday
morning, the company would have it
taken over to the HammOcks and eft
there to await the pleasure of the con-
tractors AS the result of this order,
given a day OF W ago, it is stated by
friends of Mr.. Bontz, that yesterday
nv 4O Co 4uopCNIIAS W. N oA IA
Of the cottages he was approached
from the rear by Simmons who vio-
Iently struck him, without having said
q word to him. Mr.. BOnitZ was
knocked off the board walk, which is
several feet above the ground, by the
blow and it is said Simmons jumped
on him with his entire weight and
while crushed to the ground that he
-rained blows on him and kicked the
PROSTATE man several times. Friends
of Mr.. BonitZ also state that Simmons
went to the Beach with the intention
of fighting as he made the remark that
he was going to whip Mr.. Bonitz and
tina he has money in his pocket to
pay for it,
The version of friends of Simmons
differs from the above. On his behalf
it is claimed that Nh. BonitZ has caus-
ed the contractors lots of trouble by
needless criticism. When approached
by Mr.. RonitZ yesterday Simmons says
he told him that he would move the
lumber from the Beach whenever he
wanted to. that it was owned by him
self and partner and that b COnsOl-
idated had nothing to do with it. Mr..
Summons. it is said. then told Mr..
Bonitz that the matter had gone far
enough and that he intended to have
it stopped by whipping him. He then
moved towards Mr.. BOnitz, according
to his version, removed the latter's
eye glasses and in a fair fight admin
sstered the beating.
Shortly after the trouble Mr.. Sim
mons came to the city and a warrant
sworn out by Mr.. Riggs, charging him
with assault and battery was served
rs on him by Constable Savage. He was
taken before Magistrate Furlong, VINO
recognized him for his appearance
when the time for trial is set.
Later when Mr.. BOnitZ condition be-
came more serious. Simmons was
indicted a second time, on a warrant
charging assault with a deadly weapon
and on a peace warrant before Magis-
trate Bornemann and on each charge
he was placed under a $500 bond,
which he gave and vas released.
At present it is impossible to state
when the case can be called for trial.
Mr.. Bonitz' friends are indignant at
what they term was a brutal and cow
ardly attack and they will spare no eff
fort to prosecute the case to the full
extent of the law.