Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell
THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Thirteenth Year - Number 14
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, June 12, 1902
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HOT AT MOOREVILLE.
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Joint Debate Almost Precipi-
tates a Riot.
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Henry Vigprously Resents Lie
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The
joint discussion at Mooreville Friday between Henry and Thomas developed into
the warmest number of the campaign.
A personal encounter between congressman
Henry and Editor Geo C Robinson wrought the excitement to its highest pitch and
one time it seemed that a riot was inevitable. During the course of his
speech Mr. Henry referred to the persecution of him by the Waco Times-Herald and
charged that the editor of that paper opposed him in Bell county. In 1896,
after he was nominated, Editor Robinson was seated directly in front of the
speaker at the time and mounting a bench and pointing his finger at Mr. Henry
said "your (sic) a liar!" or "that is a lie," Mr. Henry was quick to resent the
insult. He picked up the water glass and hurled it at Robinson with all
his force. Robinson ducked his head and the glass struck a Mr. Flowers, or
Powers, standing behind Mr. Robinson. The man hit was not seriously hurt.
Pandemonium reigned supreme for a few minutes and things looked "squally" for a
time. Order was finally restored, however, and Mr. Henry concluded his
speech.
He stated that he was very sorry that the
people were forced to witness such a spectacle but that he felt fully justified
in publicly resenting an insult publicly offered. At the conclusion of his
speech the people crowded around him yards thick to offer him congratulations.
The debate was extremely personal
throughout. In his opening speech Mr. Thomas read what purported to be
copies of some alleged communications from John D. Johnson, attorney for the
waters pierce Oil company and its local attorneys, Clark & Bolinger. These
copies were anonymous, according to the explanation given and were sent to
Marlin by some one at Waco, who signed "a friend." Mr. Henry said that in
the absence of the name of the man who stood sponsor for them he would then and
there denounce them as rank forgeries and the author a forgerer. He
proposed to go with Thomas to Waco or to St. Louis in order to determine whether
they were authentic or not and to defray all the expenses himself.
Mr. Henry, in defending himself, also went
somewhat into personalities, that, figuratively speaking raised the hide every
time.
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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for
printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas