The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-20
EDITORS IN A FIGHT
MEssRs. WEAR AND WILSON OF
 OPELIKA WERE STRUCK.
Messrs. vandivers Considered Certain Publications in The Opelika
 Daily News, Referring to
 Their Father as Insulting,

W. T. Wear, editor of The Opelika News and Hugh M. Wilson, former editor of the paper, and at present State Convict Inspector, were called to &C., count at the Union Depot last night for certain alleged uncomplimentary statements about W. F. Vandiver of this city, by H. F. Vandiver and Mer- ritt vandiver. sons of W sF. vandiver. A personal difficulty resulted, in which the Vandiver boys on the one side and Wear and Wilson on the other, took part. Though the scrimmage was quite lively and a humber of blows were passed. no one was seriously hurt. and Messrs. Wear and Wilson were able to proceed at 7:45 o'clock to Flor ida on a fishing trip. having started that way when the trouble occurred.
 About 6 o'clock Messrs. Wear and Wilson were at the station. H. F Van diver approached Mir, Wear and asked if he was editor of The opelika News. and if as such he was responsible for insinuating statements made about his father, W. F. vandiver. Mir. Wear told him that at least he was in part responsible. as he was one of the edi- tors. Mir. Vandiver then said that If such was the case he intended to make him answer for the publication which the family had taken to be of an in- sulting nature.
 At that time, according to Mir. Van- divers statement. Mir. Wear drew back his stick. or made motion which Mir. vandiver took to be preparatory to striking with the stick. and Vandiver struck him with his fist. the force of the blow being sufficient to knock the editor of his feet.
 Mfr. Wilson, who was standing near. hearing the scuffle ran towards the kwr1 kA ka nor rt Marrfff vandiver, who was standing near. then struck MT. Wilson. scting on the idea that he was preparing to take hand against his brother. The force of the blow staggered Mir Wilson and sew eraI blows were passed before the two men were separated. At about this time friends who were standing near and the depot policemen interfered and put the whole party under arrest. Later at the police station bonds were made and the cases set for week hence. in order to allow Messrs! Wear and wilson to continue their trip and get back here in time to the trial. T. H. Mabsofl signed their bonds.
 As Messrs. Wilson and Wear left the city before it was generally known that the difficulty had occurred 1t was impossible for The Advertiser to get a statement of their side of the case. dHulNCAs Wiio WAD SCSH kaIGI III the night, gave report of the trouble upon which the foregoing story, so far as he and his brother are concerned, is based. They contend that the pub lications in the paper were of such na- ture as to greatly huInifiate their fath- CT and that the family had felt greatly incensed; as result of them. He be- lieved that 1t was nothing more than right that the man who was responsi- ble for their publication should De call ed to account.
 The publication referred to grew out of certain statements made with re- gard to the management of the 1908 fair. The opelika News in commenting upon the outcome of an examination conducted by the late Clarke P. Cole, used language in regard to Mir. Vandf- yer that the family considered insult. ing. It was contended that there was nothing In the reports to justify such reference to MT. VaRdiver and that the objectionable publications were without excuse to that extent. .-., .
 The difioulty created a great deal of comment in the city and early re- ports of it. Indicated that serious inc jury had been done. However. noth. ing more painful than. a black eye and disarranged apparel resulted.