The Daily Dispatch: December 8, 1863., [Electronic resource]

Turning the Scales.

Mr. Wootton, on being sworn, stated that, having had a return of chills and rheumatism on Saturday, and feeling indisposed on Sunday, he used toddy as a remedy. Meeting Mr. Stokes he drank with him, and as he had been in the habit of eating occasionally at Mr. S.'s tavern since his boarding house was broken up, he called there on Sunday to get his dinner. Finding that he had left his money at his room, he deposited his knife with the Clerk as security, but could not remember that he eat dinner. Seeing Stokes passing along the hall, and observing some muskets in a corner, Wootten says he picked up one and playfully said to Stokes, "Come here old Ned." With this Stokes advanced upon and gave him two or three blows, and then put him out of the house by force of arms. He had no ill feeling towards Stokes, and asked him to retract painful epithets while S. applied to him, but S. did not do so.

Mr. Stokes introduced three witnesses, who proved that Mr. Wootton came to his hotel, and being intoxicated, was not only noisy and disagreeable to the guests before and at the dinner table, but insulting, abusive, and threatening to him — so much so that he was compelled to put him out of the house.

The Mayor, after hearing the evidence, promptly discharged Mr. Stokes, he having done no more than was his duty as a landlord.