Old Missoula

Chaos at the Depot – Troubles with “Scandy” the Hack and Edna of “Hell’s Half Acre”

Had a high old time

“Scandy,” The Hack Driver, and Fair Edna, The Pugilist.

Delight a Large and Appreciative Audience In an Open Air Drama

The idlers who frequent the depot at train time did not make their visit for naught yesterday. They were well entertained by a woman who gave an exhibition of how to use her fists. She succeeded in knocking a man out in the first round. The audience was large and appreciative. Prominent among the spectators were several lady passengers who were aboard the westbound passenger train that was delayed several minutes at the station.

The principals in the combat were “Scandy,” the hackman, and Edna Mann, an angel from “Hell’s Half Acre.” The woman and another of her class, Lilly Westerman, went to the depot intending to go to Horse Plains.

At the depot the Mann woman was escorted by “Scandy,” who claimed that she owed him some money from the day before, for hack hire. The woman claimed that she had paid in full; that “Scandy” was jealous because she had hired another man to bring her to the depot, and refused to flash up.

When she went to the ticket window to purchase her transportation “Scandy” took her grip and hid it in a coal box on the south side of the depot. When Edna came back she was informed by “Scandy” that she could have the grip upon payment of the bill, which was refused. She then sought Marshal Angevine, who was a short distance away. The officer not knowing the full facts in the case did not know what to do but was of the opinion if the money was due it should be paid, and “Scandy” had no right to the grip as long as he had not carried it to the depot.

They left the marshal and went back to the hack where the woman took “Scandy’s” hat off his head and then demanded a trade, his hat for her grip, which was refused, because the account was more valuable than the hat.

By this time the crowd became interested spectators. The passenger train came in. The marshal was anxious to see the woman get on the train. He waited, thinking a settlement would be effected. The woman went to the hack and took “Scandy’s” overcoat. “Scandy” had filled his hack with passengers, and being hatless he could not go himself so he got a substitute driver to deliver his passengers. The woman was growing angry by not receiving the grip. All at once she started for “Scandy” and began striking him with her fists, knocking him out in the first round. He made no attempt to strike her and when he had been struck under the left ear, the blow drawing blood, he ran away. She followed him up and he kicked her. The marshal then interfered and ordered the coat and hat returned to the owner and the grip returned to its owner. “Scandy” started out to get it from its hiding place. It was not there, Billy Hawkes, the transfer man had put it in his wagon that was standing near the platform, “Scandy” was bewildered on account of the missing grip. It was covered up with a sack in the Hawkes wagon.

For several minutes the crowd on the platform and a car full of ladies watched the couple, who watched each other. Finally the woman got in the wagon and located the grip. “Scandy” then boarded the wagon. The crowd began to cheer, the ladies in the car waved their hands and handkerchiefs, which frightened the team. They started to run but were caught by the crowd.

When the wagon started “Scandy” and the woman both fell down which was followed by another tussle. When they were parted the woman waved the grip in the air and “Scandy” walked away with a hat in each hand. In his excitement he put on the woman’s hat instead of his own. The crowd howled. The marshal started for the City hall with the woman and ordered “Scandy” to come on. When they appeared before Judge Ross the case was set for 10 a. m. today, each of the principals being allowed to go on promising to appear.

The above article appeared in the Daily Missoulian on March 27, 1896.

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