Scouts of Tex Rickard lost a golden opportunity yesterday to pick a coming world’s champion when they failed to see the three cornered, one round bout between Nathan Joe Edwards, proprietor of the Goldsboro Sporting Goods Store, and Robert and Aaron Tonkel, late proprietors of Tonkel’s department store.
The battle of the merchants was staged around high noon yesterday and, due to its spontaneity, was witnessed by about 11,999 less people that would have attended had it be an advertised affair. A son of J.D. Daniels was the lone spectator when the gong sounded but in a little while the whole business block on East Center, South, had turned out barely in time to see the pugilists retreating to towels, closely pursued by Officer Hy Ward.
No formal challenge, as has been said, had been issued for the midday conflict. The contenders for the local title battled under provocations said to have had a beginning when Tonkel’s store, owned by Edwards, was recently burned. That’s another story.
The immediate cause was a hot exchange of epithets which in turn was precipitated by the shaking of Mr. Tonkel’s index finger underneath the pugnacious nose of Mr. Edwards.
Then let Mr. Edwards tell it.
“He put his hand under my nose again and when I told him to take it away, he called me a d—mn blankety-blank. Then I hit him like that (demonstrating) and drove him against the wall. About that time his little brother, Robert, ran up behind me and grabbed me around the neck. I would have whipped both of ‘em—everybody around there said so—if they hadn’t pulled me off him.”
There was another side, too.
Street gossip had it that Edwards notified Tonkel yesterday not to remove an awning off the iron frame in front of the store recently occupied by the latter. Tonkel is said to have asserted that he bought and paid for the awning with his own money and would take it wherever he “damn pleased.” With which statement, as couriers reported it, Edwards is said to have called Tonkel a “stinking liar” and drawn the first blow.
There was a clenching and a fall, all hands agree. It is much in doubt as to whether Edwards knocked Tonkel down or whether Tonkel delivered the hardest blow. Once police officer said there were just two blows delivered; the one Tonkel hit Edwards and the one Edwards hit against the concrete.
Mayor’s warrants were issued for the combatants shortly after noon and the trio will e tried in Hizzoner’s court next Monday morning.
An amusing aftermath occurred when Mr. Edwards came to the News’ office to stop publication of the occurrence. He was in a heated description of the combat when the telephone rang.
“This is Tonkel: Is N.J. Edwards there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, I’ll be right up—”
“But hadn’t you better wait until Mr. Edwards leaves?” suggested the reporter.
“Nein-no, nein; he’ll go when I get there.” Mr. Edwards did go but Mr. Tonkel never came.
From the front page of The Goldsboro News, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1922
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