Graham guardian., 1921-06-03
The Fight for the
Registry
By FREDERICK CLARKE
d, lg2I, Wsstern Nswspapsr Union

Young DR.. Hector Fairbanks smiled
pleasantly but lnqulringly--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"
1t was raw district, that Of which
the young physician had been resi-
dent for about year. There were
two principal points In the county
Ridgeford and Prlnceville. II 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 1t was called,
encircled them for an area Of about
twenty miles. Thence to the south Of
Princevile was a 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 small but solidly built
structure located Just on the township
line at 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 a fanced 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 authorizes were advised
| of this outrage and ordered special
election. The votes of the County
| were to decide upon new site for the
I registers office, with view to locat-
Ing II In less isolated locality where
its records could be protected. A cen
tral point was necessary, and the
choice designated was between Ridge
ford and Princeville.
Now, three days later, Dan walhca
| into the office of DR.. Fairbanks witl
the words that begin our story.
The favor which the young physr
clan had done to which Dan allude,
| was an exigency call for attendance
on wounded friend for whom the Off
GERS were looking. He rode twentI
miles amidst all the perils Of dark
stormy night, saved the life OF tn.
refugee, braved stray shot from tn.
watching Breckitts and won the undy
ing gratitude of Dan.
| 81 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
matter" observed DIR. Fairbanks.
"Not by long shotw dIssented Dan
vigorously. "An election isn't much In
this county. Jed Breckitt realizes that
and. we have accidentally learned, has
sent for house moving outfit to lue
the registers office. records and all
over to Princevllle."
"You amaze mew exclaimed the
young physician.
"Just let them get that building
over to PrInceville," continued Dan
"and we'll never get 1t back. | wan
you to quietly get about fifty of thu
residents here who can be depended
on. ready to net with my crowd to
morrow night"
"There's old Doliver and his gales
Decially the gal, bless her pretty eyes
Miss Dora"
Old Jonathan Doliver had been tht
registrar of the county from time i'm
memorial. His daughter Dora was hi
chief clerk.
"You people make stand here" or
dered Dan to the doctor and his part,
the next night "If we need you wei
signal"
: Lanterns were lashing, men MOVING
| about. They hGd been anticipated
; There was the registry Office. movet
: about f:ty feet from It's original site
: being slowly and cautiously dragge'
: aloag the top of the ridge.
"Charge 'emr ordered Dan at once
"Ipevp thp rest tn mo" and theI
as his men drove into the IN
prepared Breckitts, Dan sprang to tn
cable. his bowie knife In hand. an
began hacking at 1t,
| "Look out-she's comingw hi
strenuous voice thundered out.
| The startled and amazed conting en
| led by DR.. Fairbanks witnessed q few
full spectacle, as down the steep hil
side the heavy, clumsy structure cam
hurtling. II toppled from grade I
grade. then three hundred feet belo'
at the edge of the road 1t landed wit
crash, mere klndling wood wrecl
There were shots overhead, the
they ceased, and then the voice OF Da
: Babbitt was heard distinctly:
1--WE are two TO one, you feNowl
n it's fight, come on-but no scrin
mage. The registry Office is over .
our side Of the township line nov
and we're ready to defend our rights.
The Brecliitts made Off sullenl!
Dan came down with horses and dral
| A. r.. -,