Middletown transcript., 1921-08-13
The Fight for the
Registry
Bv FREDERICK CLARKE
(@, 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

We intend to return the compliment
Young Or. Hector Fairbanks smiled
pleasantly but inquiringly-in fact, al
most suspiciOuSly. The speaker was
Dan Babbitt AS he stood garbed In
his rude Tennessee mOuntaineer's cos
tune, two holsters at his belt, strength,
independence and grit showing in ev-
cry strong lineament of his face, the
doctor did not marvel that he had
been made the leader of the famous
Midnight Riders
It was raw district that of which
the young physician had been a resi-
dent for about year. There were
two principal points in the county
Ridgeford and Princeville. 1t was at
the former town that DR.. Fairbanks
had taken up his abode. The two
places were only five miles apart, and
the safety zone," as it was called
encircled them for an area of about
twenty miles. Thence to the south OF
Princeville was mountainous stretch
infested by rough mOOnshiners known
as the Breckitt clan. The same condi-
ton prevailed south Of RidgefOrd,
where Dan Babbitt and his Midnight
Riders held full sway. A broken
ridge divided the two districts, the re-
spective right and privileges of which
were jealousy guarded by either COM
munity.
For years a small but sOlidly built
structure located just on the township
line at a little settlement called Bryan
had been the registers office Of the
county. All the official business of the
district was carried on there, and
there the county records were kept.
One night the Breckitt raiders, wiping
out fancied insult from the main
residents of the place, "shot up the
settlement, set fire to what little there
was of it, and every structure in Bryan
was consumed except the registers
office
The state authorities were advised
of this outrage and ordered a special
election. The votes of the county
were to decide upon new site for the
registers office, with a view to locat-
ing it in less isolated locality where
its records could be protected. A CEN
trail point was necessary, and the
choice designated was between Ridge
ford and Princeville.
Now, three days later, Dan walked
into the office of DR.. Fairbanks with
the words that begin our story.
The favor which the young physi-
clan had done to which Dan alluded
was an exigency call for attendance
on wounded friend for whom the Off
GERS were looking. He rode twenty
miles amidst all the perils Of dark,
stormy night, saved the life of the
refugee, braved a stray shot from the
watching Breckitts and won the undy-
ing gratitude of Dan.
Il thought / would come and tell
YOU how things stood about the regis
try Office" continued the young out
law leader
"Why. the election has settled that
natter" observed DR.. Fairbanks.
"Not by long shot" dissented Dan
vigorously. "An election isn't much in
this county. Jed Breckitt realizes that
and, we have accidentally learned, has
sent for a house moving outfit to lug
the registers office, records and all,
over to Princeville.'
"You amaze mel" exclaimed the
young physician.
"Just let them get that building
over to Princeville," continued Dan,
"and we'll never get 1t back. l want
you to quietly get about fifty Of the
residents here who can be depended
on. ready to act with my crowd to-
morrow night"
"There's old Doliver and his gales
pecially the gal, bless her pretty eyes!
Miss Dora"
Old Jonathan Doliver had been the
registrar Of the county from time i'm
memorial. His daughter Dora was his
chief clerk.
"You people make stand here" or
dered Dan to the doctor and his party
the next night IF we need you We'll
signal"
Lanterns were flashing, men moving
about. They had been anticipated.
There was the registry office. moved
about fifty feet from its original site.
being slowly and cautiously dragged
along the top Of the ridge.
"Charge em !" ordered Dan at once.
Leave the rest to me-" and then,
as his men drove into the un-
prepared Breckitts, Dan sprang to the
cable. his bowie knife in hand, and
began hacking at it.
"Look out-shes coming" his
strenuous voice thundered out.
The startled and amazed contingent
led by DR. Fairbanks witnessed fear
full spectacle, as down the steep hill
side the heavy, clumsy structure came
hurtling. 1t toppled from grade to
grade. then three hundred feet below
at the edge of the road it landed with
a crash. a mere kindling wood wreck.
There were shots overhead, then
they ceased, and then the voice Of Dan
Babbitt was heard distinctly:
1--WE are two to one, you fellows.
If it's fight, come on-but no scrim-
mage The registry office is over on
our side Of the township line now,
and we're ready to defend our rights"
The Breckitts made off sullenly.
Dan came down with horses and drag.
"Pick up the splinters, boys" he or
dered. Take special care Of those
iron record boxes. Doe and he
lowered his tone to a chuckling wh1s-
per, II reckon that sweet Dolver gal