A Newspaper Manager, a Black Eye, and a Drawn Revolver

R. E. Keeley, manager of the Mercury, says he will have a warrant issued for the arrest of Thomas H. Dempsey for assault. He also says he will have a man who accompanied Dempsey—but whose name he does not know—arrested on the same charge. Mr. Keeley says the assault was unprovoked and brutal. One of his eyes is badly blacked as a result of the encounter. He tells the following story: 'I am not the editor of the Mercury—simply the business manager. On Monday evening when I met Mr. Dempsey he said he wanted to see me. I never once thought his mission was anything but a peaceful one. I had my office assistant turn up the light. Mr. Dempsey asked to see the Mercury, and I showed him the file. He pointed out an article and asked me if it referred to him. I said I did not know, as I wrote nothing for the paper. Then he hit me in the eye without giving any warning. A big, burly man, who accompanied him, stood in the doorway, guarding it. I am not a fighter, and being physically weak, knew I stood no show against Dempsey, who knows how to fight, so I tried to get out of the office. When I reached the door the big man tried to stop me. I got past him in some way, but he raised his cane and struck at me. I dodged, so the blow missed my head, but it struck me in the back, tearing my coat. [Here Mr. Keeley showed a tear in the back of his coat to prove the statement.] When I reached the sidewalk I saw Dempsey following me. He threw his hand behind him and I drew my own revolver.' George Lafayette, whose name floats at the masthead of the paper as editor, says he is editor de facto. He is a man of large physical proportions and is apparently well fitted for his position.