The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-10
NEAR TO A FIGHT.
Facts AbOutAltercati0n Between
Capt. Waters and Bishop.
Reverend Gentleman Lost His
Temper and Started to Attack.
DEFIED BY LAWYER.
rs No Bullet in the Barrel"
Shouted Captain.
Bishop Berry Prevents an EX-
change of Blows.
DEFLED BY LAWYER.

Had it not been for the prompt in
reference of fellow bishops, the Cope
/ Moore arbitration in the National hotel
this week would have doubtless re
suited IN a fist fight. Bishop Moore
attempted to attack Capt. J. G.. Waters,
attorney for Mrs. Cope, when Waters
made remarks which reflected on the
CHI istian conduct OF the bishop.
The tongue flashing which the To-
peka lawyer gave the Cincinnati bishop
in the course of the conference was
the second in less than a week. Wa
ters found occasion to express his
opinion of the bishops actions while
| in Oklahoma City last week, and he
renewed hostilities when Moore refused
to sign an apology submitted for Mrs.
Cope.
only a few weeks ago Waters cele-
brGted his 18th birthday anniversary
In point of years he is little older
than Bishop Moore Both men are
versy over the Cope troubles, both men
lost their temper and talked back in
plain unvarnished language.
Tries to Attack Waters.
Only the four bishops and attorneys
for the warning principals in the
church debate were present when
Captain J. G. Waters. for Mrs. Cope,
and Bishop Moore, for himself, tried to
settle their grievances. Prompt inter-
ference on the part of Bishop Smith
and others prevented a personal en-
counter between the Topeka lawyer
and the bishop.
Waters had asked Bishop Moore for
a retraction of the statements contain
ed in his letter to Mrs Robinson.
When Moore declined to apologize,
Waters painted word picture of the
bishop that didn't please the man from
Cincinnati. Then Moore lost his tenn
per.
IF I signed that statement" de-
clared Bishop Moore, as he indicated
the proposed retraction, sit wouldn't
be from the bottom of my heart
Then I refuse to accept any state
ment from you Mr.. Bishop that is
lie" snapped Waters, as he squared
himself in the middle of the floor and
glared at the accused bishop.
This statement rolled Bishop Moore
to a considerable extent. Instantly he
seemed to lose his temper and made
for Waters with clenched fists. In the
little room on the fifth floor of the
hotel were only the four bishops and
two lawyers Trickett and Waters.
mo man can call me a lair almost
shouted the bishop, unless he pays
for it, and
There you go again. shouted
Waters defantly. "Your finger is on
the trigger but there is no bullet in
the barrel You are in the same con-
dition you were when you wrote the
letter slandering Mrs. Cope. / can
whip you in less than no time
Capt. Waters advanced to meet the
stepped between the men.
Then lostilities were renewed but
they We're confined to words Waters
insisted on assaulting the bishop in
word attacks and Moore showed his
resentment for the sharp. sarcastic re-
marks OF the lawyer. Often he replied
but only once did he make a show of
person attack. Once Waters called the
bishop a coward; and said that Mrs
Robinson stood between Moore and
justice for Mrs. Cope.
1t was reported that the three mem
bers Of Bishop Moore's party urged an
adjustment of the trouble. but they
would not confirm this statement and
refused to go Oh record.
Once in The heat Of the argument,
Waters is said to have glared at Bish-
op Moore ard denounced him for his
attitude in the church trouble.
Instead Of the big, broaded minded
man whom 1 expected to meet" Wa
ters is quoted as saying. Il find you
a hard heaced, stubborn, obstinate old
fool: and your presiding elder ought
to make you account for this"
On this basis the conference didn't
last long. Waters was peevish and irri-
table as he left the hotel. He went at
once to his Office in the Columbia build |
ing and a half hour later Bishop Moore |
was defendant in an action for $50 900 |
damages.