Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-04-12
CITY SEALER IN FlST!C
CLASH WITH PHIL
MEAGHER
NO ARRESTS MADE
MAYOR WEEKS nv PARTY hC-
COSTED BY GROUP ACCOM-
pANy,NG REPRE- SENTATIVE l..
O. NE-MEETiNG IN PARK
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

Resumption of a local democratic
uolitical feud, which sprang into
prominence on April 2 last when R'p-
resentative l.. O. Browne and u. j.
Shanley. then "A candidate for super
visor. mixed ii on la Sale street IN
a fstic encounter, Was hei2hteheG
Saturday night in a melee between
Phil Meagher, former owner OF Ealn'
ing house, and City Sealer William
OConncll in Washington park,
Observers of the Iight Wcr" Repre-
sentative Browne, who IS also ctllel
assistant states attorney of La SALT
county. Frank Canty, resident OF
West Superior street; Mayor George
V. B. Weeks, and Phil McGrath re-
tired farmer, residing on the nor,n
side, and a possible fifth spectator
said to have been Kid Nebcrgall, an
exponent in many ring battles mere
abouts Separated in their align
ments on sides whore irOWnc
Canty and Nebergall twhom Browne
adherents say was not among thcS'
present against O'COnnell, W 'ek'
and McGrath. Browne forces d"nN
Nebergall was in attendance on the
McaEher meeting, Wh'''
Weeks generals say he was in the
crowd. Nobergal is rela'cd hy mar
riage to Mr Meagher.
Stories of the fight, as in all Suct
cases where factional lines are close
" drawn. vary widely That the Free
Trader. Journal readers may get th'
facts as they appeared to both SIDES
below are appended statements iron
all the principals save William ONoN
nell. who could not be reached L
make public statement regardln'
the affair.
As near as can be judged from bot
cliQues Meagher got the better Q
the encounter with O'COnncll by pin
iOning him to tree, where ms Wld'
knowledge Of wrestling made ii pos
sible for him to down his taller oI
ponent and finally got in ram o
blows on O'Conncll's face and body a
he lay beneath his adversary on the
ground. O'Connel, though much biz
ger than Meaeher, in height and pos
sibly weight, was no match for a ma
of Meashcr's skill in graphing, h
having had years Of training in tina
art and for a long period was rocoe
nized as the stellar Of all mat star
of the locality.
Deny Gun Was Flashed.
The meeting and fight tooK place a
about 1918 O'Clock in the northWcs
corner of Washington square, Whil
many people were starting for thci
homes. The only participants Wer
O'Connell and MeaGler the mayo
taking no active part in the altra
from its inception % Its finish, Will
Phil McGrath, as soon as IN" thih
broke into scrap ran from IN
scene to summon the police, lcaytn
Mayor Weeks in charge OF J.. {
Browne and Frank tanty in ever
he attempted by force to n'crcedo i
behalf of his assistant.
Charges of gun play were made b
Weeks adherents, who claimed NJ
Browne flashed an autom ,tic piSto
while denials are Just as emphatic G
the Browne side that any revCvc'
we're brought into play during tn
mixup.
Up to late hour this afternoon I
arrests had been made, but pr1niS'
were given that warrants would /
sworn to by either Mayor Weeks
Mr.. O'Connell and prosecution orde
ed of Browne, Meaeher and Canty Il
conspiracy and assault and intcrio
cnce with an officer in the perlorl
ance of his duty The latter, il
said, it traceable to Mr. Browne #
lowing his threat to the mayor "
keep his hands OFF, when he atteml
ed to separate the two fighters
they lay rolling about on the eroun
Charge Frame-Up to Embrol May
Friends of the mayor charge &
braw with being a bold attempt
emDrOi him in the encounter in
hope of getting "him a fine beatint
but the city's chief executive was /
clever to be caught in the afia
which, they say, was plot pure "a
simple to gang the man who u ye
ago was elected by a majority OF
people to run The city as head of
administration
That arrests will follow was pro
Continued on pase 5, col, ~