Fights and Finance

Dallas Morning News
Sunday, 3 August 1913
Section: Part 2, Page: 4

A few days ago the Forney Messenger made a bid to all the fussy citizens of neighboring towns to come to Forney to do their fighting, affirming that fighting was cheaper there than in any other North Texas town. In commenting on same, State Press urged intending belligerents to accept Forney’s invitation and take advantage of the low summer rates offered by the Forney magistrates. State Press even went so far as to hint to Gov. Colquitt, whose home is in the same county that Forney adorns, and ex-Col. Wolters that now would be a good time and Forney a good place in which to bring their differences to the final arbitrament. Nothing has so far come of the suggestion, but Mayor Adams of Forney has written State Press to say that he can not officially invite bellicose visitors to settle their differences in his city, but that if they do settle them there he will guarantee strangers the same rates as charged local citizens for affrays. That is fair enough, although we do not understand exactly what His Honor means by “bellicose” citizens. Our idea has been that citizens of that architectural type do little or no fighting, even at bargain counter rates. In fact, that may account for the peaceful settlement of the Governor’s and the ex-Colonel’s tiff – both are somewhat “cose” around the waistband. However, Mayor Adams’ efforts in promoting Forney as a fight center may not be altogether altruistic. He keeps a drug store when he isn’t Mayoring, and it may be that he has added to the price of arnica all that he was influential in removing from fines.