Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1912 — Old Fued Comes to Light [ARTICLE]

Old Fued Comes to Light

California Men Kept Btrange Vows for Many Years—Arrest of One Reveals Compact San Bernardino, Cat—Never to set foot upon each other’s sidewalk, and always to be prepared to shoot to kill if they should meet outside the city, is the strange compact that for fifteen years has been in existence between C. W. Richardson and Joseph and John Shafer, prominent business men of this place. Their places of business are opposite each other on Court street This compact was violated last week whan Joseph Shafer, trying tp catch a better gllmpie of an aviator, crossed to bis enemy’s sidewalk. Richardson came forth with a jump to make an attack. Shafer fled to his own side of the street but burled back a challenge. This aroused Richardson, whose high-voiced reply made it possible to

secure Richardson’s arrest for disturbing the peace. At the trial the strange compact was made public. Richardson was found guilty, but the Jury recommended mercy. The fend started fifteen years ago, when as a bachelor Richardson and the Shafer brothers occupied adjoining houses. Richardson broke the bachelor atmosphere by marrying, and the fight was on. Several court cases have grown out ot seemingly trivial quarrels between the contestants.