McLean, Hank - Charley Swearingen - fight - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Last Friday Hank McLean and Charley Swearengen, who live near Jacksonville, Fountain County, went to Scott’s livery stable and hired a horse and buggy to go to Harris Reynold’s, a mile and a half northwest of the city. The horse was hitched to the buggy when the proprietor discovered that they were both drunk and had a bottle of whisky in their possession. As Mr. Scott had had some experience with Swearengen in his treatment of horses he refused to let the horse and buggy go. He handed them back the money and told them they could not have the horse. This so enraged Mr. McLean that he commenced heaping all kinds of abuse upon Scott and continued it until forbearance ceased to be a virtue, whereupon the latter made a drive for him with a hatchet. Flip Applegate, fearing Scott would get the worst of the fight, went to his assistance with a club and struck McLean once or twice over the head. Scott struck him once on the side of the head with the blade of the hatchet and inflicted a cut its full length. The parties were separated and McLean taken to the office of McClelland & Cowan where his wounds were dressed. Although he presented a bloody spectacle it is not thought his wounds are serious. Scott went before the mayor, pled guilty and was fined $3 and costs.