Slocum was man grown, a big, muscular fellow, rather given to bullying.

A heavy carriage whip was found lying in the alley, and this also supported Harold's story to his father.

As told by Slocum, the struggle took place just where the alley from behind the parsonage came out upon the cross street.
"I was leading a horse," said Slocum, "and I met Harry, and we got to talking, and something I said made him mad, and he jerked out his knife and jumped at me.

The horse got scared and yanked me around, and just then Harry got his knife into me.

I saw he was in for my life and I threw down the whip and run, the blood a-spurting out o' me, hot as b'ilin' water.