The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-21
Oath of Robert Gambler Taken
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Gambler Is Arrested.
Vengeance on Baldwin.
AGED MAN is SERIOUSLY
BUT NOT FATALLY HURT
Story of an Old Time Thrash
ing That Caused Factiona|
Feeling in Clay Township
Gamble Is Arrested.

Twenty-Five years ago Robert Gam
Der attended a township school in Clay
township. The teacher was William
Baldwin One day Baldwin admins
tered whipping to Gambler for some
offense against the pripriety of the
school. Gambler was only boy then,
but he vowed vengeance. Yesterday
the former school teacher went from
Webster to Greensboro to make some
purchases. Gambler came to town, al
so. Gambler saw Baldwin and the fire
of hatred that was kindled the quarter
century ago, burst out into new flame.
Gambler attacked Baldwin and with his
fists administered a severe beating.
Townspeople who saw the unequal
combat, interfered and the sheriff was
notified. Gambler was arrested and
subsequently released under bond of
$500. He is charged with assault and
battery. Baldwin is seriously, but not
necessarily fatally injured.
1t was the most vivid example of the
result of latent hatred that has been
shown in Wayne county in many
years. When a boy Gambler was noted
among his friends for his temper, but
none of his school-mates of twenty
five years ago, ever placed confidence
in the boast that some day he would
get even." They regarded it as boy
ish bravado and the result of the ill
feeling engendered by the whipping
at school, Gambler complained about
the thrashing he received at the time
He claimed he was injured far more
than the offense justified. His family
took up the troubles and criminal pros
ecution was entered against the teach
Ter. At that time John +. Robbins was
prosecuting attorney. Baldwin had an
excellent reputation for peace and qui
I etude and many of his friends said his
prosecution was persecution. There
L
| lied to the support of the boy and his
| family, and claimed the teacher hat
gone beyond the rules of common de
cency in whippind the lad to the ex.
I atent claimed.
Showed Whip in Court.
The feeling that was created was fol
Flowed by a factional difference in the
!: community and many were the house
hold discussions and corner store ar
guments on the question. At last tn,
!: case came up for trial. Gamblers rel
:atives and friends hurried to the cour
house to see the teacher punished b,
the law. The ''Hoosier schoolmaster'
walked into the court room with hi:
customary dignity of bearing. He ad
mitted whipping the Gambler boy ant
stold of the offense of the lad that h,
chad believed merited punishment. A
3an exhibit in the evidence the schoo
teacher offered the whip which he hat
used in the flogging. Spectators il
the court room wondered where sucl
la formidable rod it was claimed ha,
4been used, could be concealed. Sur
prise and dismay were evident upol
1.-THE faces of all incls ding attorney
sand Judge when Baldwin calmly drew
sfrom his vest pocket the small whil
swith which the lashes had been admin
sistered. The court deemed no yer,
serious injuries could have been caus
ed by the use of such diminutiv
] whip. and Immediately the case wa
sdismissed on account of lack of evi
sdence.
Gambler Vowed Vengeance.
Then it was that the Gambler bo
| .ook oath that some day he himsel
would punish the teacher and get eve
Tor the whipping. Time passed an
iaow William Baldwin, the forme
| ,eaeher. is beyond the mark of thre
score years and ten. He is bent wit
age and poor health and his eyesigh
| S so badly dimmed that there is dout
he recognized his assailant OF We.
scrday Gambler is a strong. sturd
/. armer When the two met on til
i treet, Gambler asked the aged man
/ 10 were not William Baldwin and uT
! III receiving an affirmative reply. Sc
| bout to beat him with his fists TIL
Id school teacher was PRACTICAL
!: oweriess to defend himself.
Indignation was manifested anon
he citizens of Greensboro foilowin
he affair and friends OF Gambler urge
aim to leave town. There was fea
or summary punishment. Mr. Bals
: vim is the father of Prof Al Baldwi,
principal of the school at Webster. II
well known and highly respecte
Id resident. Gambler has wealth
| eiatives and found no trouble in s.
. touring the $500 bail. ..isA.