Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1880 — Who Struck Billy Patterson ? [ARTICLE]

Who Struck Billy Patterson ?

Many persons have beard the “Who struck Billy Patterson ?*** without knowing the origin of it William Pgty£|i* son was a very wealthy tradesman or merchant of Baltimore in thestate of Mary laud. In the early days of JfranUiiigcdfcnty be l*>(ight np a great tattaamfland in the county, and spent k Md Hcßion of his time in looking aftsr there. < He was a said to be as s3oJ(fc4s P Har as brave as a lion, but like all brave men he was a lover of peace, and, indeed, a good pious man. Nevertheless his wrath could be excited to a fighting pitch. On one occasion he attended a pubiie.jMtheting in the lower part of Franldni connty,Trt some district court ground, Xhtriag die day the two opposing bullies and their mends raised a row and a general-figdithvas the consequence. At the beginning of the affray, and before tiie fight Bjlty Thttereon. ran into the crowd to perwraaF tfiem not to light, but to make peace and he friends. But his efforts for peace were unavailing, and while making theayomqof the crowd in the general meW sAck* Billy Matterson a severe blow from - behind. Billy at once became fighting mad, and cried out at the top of his roiqe, “Who struck Billy Patterson?” £No one coild or weild tell him who tinilty pamy. He then pr< p " f to givk ay man a ju ndred dollars who would tell mm “Who Billy Patterson.” From SIOO he rose to fljtKM; hut not SI,OOO would induce any man to tell him “Who struck Billy Patterson.” And yaacs aftorward, in his will, he related the above sects and bequeathed SI,OOO to be paid Wills executors man who would tell “Who struck Inny Patterson.” His will is recorded in the ordinary’s office at Cranesville, Franklin county, and anyonecurious about the matter can there find it end verify the preceding statements. w