From the archives: Sir John A. took a hit at election-rally bust-up

This story was first published on Sept. 8, 2002, in the Montreal Gazette.
The persistency and desperation of the disturbing element may be gathered from the fact that Mr. Fred Perry forced his way upon the platform and commenced to hustle those thereon. He was collared by one of those whose toes he had trampled upon and who hurled him from the platform in no very ceremonious manner.
The Gazette, Monday, Sept. 9, 1878
For a time, it shaped up as one of the rowdiest election meetings ever in a cit