Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1893 — LICKING AND GETTING LICKED. [ARTICLE]

LICKING AND GETTING LICKED.

Editor Hot crock, of the Monticello Democrat and His Two Scraps. A newspaper controversy last fall between Editor Rothrock, of the Monliceilo"£fe»tocmf, and Walter Hartman, a well known young Democratic lawyer, of Monticello, and whose articles were published in the Monon Times, had a sensational result last week, as will appear from the following from the Monticello herald: Many who read the pretty fling of the Democrat at Walter Hartman last week congratulating the Whitecounty democracy on his departure and announcing it as a good riddance, smiled at its malice and pitied the editor who could carry a personal grudge so far as to burden his readers with it after it had become hoary with age, and especially when his adversary was about to take himself out of the State and would soon cease to be a thorn in his side. But the editor of the Democrat is not the man to accept peace on such an incidental footing, and the newspaper drubbing he received from Hartman last summer had cut deeper than many supposed, as the events of last Monday proved. Thornt Perrigo, the plasterer, had been having trouble with youug Otbe MiDer, which liad resulted in a justice trial and a fine for Thornt. Oil Monday afternoon Miller and Perrigo came together on the south side and Thornt gave chare to the

boy, overhauling him in the street near GuOd man’s store. He was pounding him vigorously, and the boy began to yell in such soul piercing tones as to excite the sympathy and alarm of passers by. 5 Hartman, who was standing at the foot of the Herald oflice stairway, stepped out in the street, and taking hold of Perrigo tried to pursuade him to stop beating tlie boy. He used no violence, and his efforts were solely in the interest of peace. Suddenly he was from the rear by John Rothrock, who jerked him down in the mud-and began striking him in the face. Hartman did net even see who his assailant was until.he was flat on his back and bad received two blows. He then recognized the man he had passed and repassed on the street many times since their hostilities bad begun and who had never until that moment made an offer to strike him. Now he was standing over him and doibg his best to give him some mark on.his face to remember him by when J he should get to Montena. By this time Prosecutor Marvin had reached the scene, and as Hartman regained his feet he was commanding peace. Rothrock defied him, r- wore hoyiould whip him and applied epithms to him too vile for publication. During his attack on Hartman he had interspersed his blows with remarks such as “Called me a viper, did you?” and as he retired he remarked with a triumphant snort that this was the opportunity he had long been looking for. It was truly a golden opportunity for Rothrock, but the opportunity for Hartman to defend himself was not so golden. When the latter arose his face was bleeding and he was plastered with mud from head to foot. He Rifely complimented Rothrock on hld.Aravery(?)as the latter swaggereir off toward his office, and then going into the restaurant he washed the blood from his face, got rid of some of the mud on his Clothing, and came out in fairly presentable condition. His chief damage was to his clothing, though liis face showed a few marks of violence. His overcoat was torn and practically ruined with mud, and he had to invest in a new hat. His part in the affair was entirely involuntary, and no blame whatever attached to him.

These who saw' the proceedings, were indignant at the cowardly outfage, and the feeling was so intense against Rothrock that had he lingered on the scene a moment longer, he would have had to answer to the crowd for his inexcusable conduct. About an hour afterward he came out of Deane’s saloon in a hilarious mood, and going ovrr to Fox & Karp’s he met with a rather startling experience. lie invited several men to drink with him, aud as the glasses were being filled he recounted his exploit with Hat tman and boasted that he had five or six other fellows booked for the same kind of a dose. Pete Fox, who was behind the bar, expressed a doubt of his ability to lick any body and tapped him playfully ob the cheek. Rothrock

reached for Foie and knocked his cigar out of his mouth, at the same time removing. a little of tlie cuticle from his nose. Then Fox came around from behind the bar and knocked him down several times, and when he got through with him he allowed him to go out in the backyard aud lean up against the fence to recuperate. He was not in good shape to appear in public, and Pete kindlyopened his cellar door and let him retire to the basement, where Dr. Clark gave him such surgical attention as he needed, until he was able to meander home in the shades of the “evening. His injories-are noFthoughtto be very serious and in a few days he may be expected up town again looking for the other citizens he has threatened to “lick.” Rumors were afloat yesterday to the effect that the patient was in a critical condition from the effects of a kick Below the erpiator, but the doctor states positively that there is no rupture, and the injury is in ail probability only temporary.