Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-14
STATEMENT OF EDw. z. c. JuDsoN
TO THE PUBLIC PRESS.


Within the past six or seven weeks, during
which time | have been helplessly confined to
Il couch Of suffering, from which cannot yet
arse. the papers Of the country have very gen
orally published articles from the Nashville
papers containing accounts of my late unloT-
tunate difficulties in that CITY, which in many
cases have been SO manitestly incorrect and
unjust, that sense Of duty 10 myself as well
as my friends, impels me TO take advantage Of
the first moment Of returning strength to cor
rect them. | respectfully request all editors
who have published the articles alluded to, 10
do me the justice to give their readers a fair
chance to hear both sides of the question, and
TO enable publishers TO do this, my remarks
will be made as brefas possible. In the first
place, pronounce every charge that has been
made in regard to improper intimacy between
Mrs, PoBrERFIELD and myself, unequivocally
fuse and myolmded, and in place Of the ialsIp
ported assertion OF one or two men, known TO
be my own bitter enemies, | demand proof;
proof that | ever touched that injured lady's
hand even; proof that ever visited her house
at an improper hour, that was ever seen with
her at an improper tine or place; proof that IN
thought word or deed, either her or myself
ever injured husband whom she tenderly
loved-a man whom respected and esteemed
defy this proof to be produced; had it been
possible, the bloodhounds who used every hu-
man exeruon to destroy me, would long since
have brought it forth. ROBERT PoRTERFIELp
was an honoroble and excellent man, but one
ofqulck and ungoyernable passion. He at
tackled me on the statement OF a man, known
TO be my enemy, and on the information re-
cayed in an anonymous letter, probably written
by the very man who started the reports.
Had he remained calm, ndcooly inyestiga-
led the charges against me, there never would
have been any difficulty between us. This
'mpIored him to do; even at our first hostile
meeting, wh,n he drew his pistol and took de-
Y lberafe ann at my heart, told him that he was
\ wrongmg me--that was armed, but would
4 not draw weapon upon him 10 save my life
that he might fire as soon as he pleased. A
\ trend Of his interiered, and prevented him
from firing; this was on the 18th of March
On the 18th neither saw o. heard from MIR. p.
On The afternoon of that day, however, occur
4 red the graveyard meeting" as the Nash
4 vile papers falsely termed il. heard from a
IA mutual friend, that morning, that Mrs. p. had
been informed that ihdd raised the reports con
n corning her; and although she was deeply dis
ressed, she could not believe me guilty ofsuch
q yllalny, unless she heard the confession from
u my own lips. would rather have died a
u thousand times than have suffered her to be-
"a Ieye such a gross SANDER against me and
III under the circumstances could not with
ii uQrey visit her house, requested her 10
MI meet zoe On the street on which she resided,
II Which led towards the grave yard, that during
lew minutes walk might assure her Of my
mnoceuce.
My request was granted, and the lady was
my company perhaps ten or fifteen minutes,
II ValAlng in an open thoroughlare, in broad day
n GIT, (not IN grave yard) where the eyes OF
n We hundred people could gaze on us from the
windows ofthe surrounding houses, and at the
'me tine we were watched by three spies, who
IA lowed our steps and watched every mohoni
sul they never dared to say that have ever
o.'n seen to touch that unhappy lady's hand.
An exaggerated report Of this meeting was
'antly carried to Mr.. p, which most proba
u caused him TO attack me on the next day.
Ms attack was totally unexpected by me and
III Fnan Il was made, | turned to MIR. T., and
III 5ad nm to be calm, and investigate the
III argos against me, that was innocent, and
III not wish to quarrel with him. ! permit
NJ nm to tire three times deliberately at me,
Ne endeavorcd to calm his anger, and
~ not lire until found thatnothing but that
III o4m save my life, as he was supported by
III brother IN the attack, both better armed
II 'A myself My first and only shot was IA