Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 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, Cal.—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 when Joseph Shafer, trying to catch a better-glimpse of an aviator, crossed to his enemy’s sidewalk. Richardson came forth with a jump to make an attack. Shafer fled to his own side of the street,- but hurled 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 pnblic. Richardson was found guilty, bat 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 of seemingly trivial quarrels between the contestants.