Jim Kershner’s This day in history » On the Web: spokesman.com/topics/local-history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The church and religion editor of The Spokesman-Review, weighing in at 128 pounds, was the surprise victor in an impromptu tussle outside the editor’s home.

A certain Mr. Martin had objected to an earlier story written by editor S. Clark Patchin.

Martin had been heard around town saying he was going to beat up the editor.

Bright and early one morning, Martin showed up at Patchin’s door and challenged him to come outside. Patchin got dressed and walked out onto his lawn. Then, the 150-pound Martin took a swing at the editor’s jaw.

Patchin parried, clinched and let loose with his own salvo. It was all over after one round after the religion editor connected with a punch that drew blood and caused “severe punishment.”

“Patchin is the smallest of the newspaper staff and he was not considered by his associates as being in a middleweight class,” exulted The Spokesman-Review, which treated the entire incident as humor on its front page.

“… At the conclusion, contestant Martin required the services of a moderator, in the form of Dr. Reed (who bandaged his wounds).”

“I wasn’t expecting any fight and I did better than I expected,” said the humble religion editor.