The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-05-31
Mr.. Summers Statement.


waited on Mr.. Sumner to-day, and took his
testimony with regard to the assault. He
was also cross examined. He was in bed du-
ring the examination, and has set up but little
since the assault. He is still very weak, and
the physicians counsel him not to attempt to
90 out of the house during this week.
The following is the statement of Mr.. Sum-
ner, under OATH
| attended the Senate as usual on Thurs
day, the 22d Of May After some formal bust
ness, message was received from the House
of Representatives, announcing the death of
member of that body from Missouri. This
was followed by brief tribute to the deceased
from Mr.. Geyer, of Missouri, when according
to usage and out of respect to the deceased
the Senate adjourned at once. Instead of
leaving the Senate chamber with the rest of
the Senators, on the adjournment, continued
in my seat occupied with my pen, and while
thus intent, in order to be in season for the
mail, which was soon to close, | was approach
ed by several persons who desired to converse
with me, but L answered them promptly and
briefly, excusing myself for the reason that |
was much engaged. When the last of these
persons left me drew my arm chair close to
my desk, and with my legs under the desk
continued writing. My attention at this time
was so entirely drawn from all other subjects
that though there must have been many per-
sons in the Senate. | saw nobody. While thus
intent with my head bent over my writing, L
was addressed by person who approached
the front of my desk; was so entirely alb
sorbed that l was not aware of his presence
until | heard my name pronounced. As
lookee up, with pen in hand, | saw a tall man
whose countenance was not familiar standing
nt ha
caught these words: 81 have read your speech
twice over carefully; it is libel on South
Carolina, and Mr. Butler who is relative of
mine" Whilesthese words were passing from
his lips, he commenced succession of blows
with heavy cane on my bare head, by the
| first of which l was stunned so as to lose my
sight. | saw no longer my assailant, nor any
other person or object in the room. What |
did afterward was done almost unconsciously,
acting under the instinct of self-defense.-
With head already bent down, | rose from my
seat-wrenching up my desk, which was
screwed to the hoor-and then pressing for
ward while my assaiant continued his blows.
had no other consciousness until found my
self ten feet forward in front of my desk, lying
on the floor of the Senate, with my bleeding
head supported on the knee of a gentleman,
whom soon recognized by voice and manner
as Mr. Morgan of New York. Other persons
there were about me offering me friendly as
sistance, but did not recognize any of them.
Others there were at distance, looking on
and offering no assistance, of whom L recog-
nized only Mr.. Douglas of illinois, Mr..
Toombs of Georgia, and l thought also my
assailant standing between them. | was help
ed from the fooT and conducted into the lobby
of the Senate, where l was placed upon sofa.
| IL ho hoIp I hou
lection. As entered the lobby | recognized
| Mr.. Slidell of Louisiana, who retreated, but |
recognized no one else until l felt a friendly
grasp of the hand, which seemed to come from
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio. l have a vague i'm
preston that Mr.. Bright, President of the Sen
ate, spoke to me while Twas ON the floor of the
Senate or in the lobby. I make this state
ment in answer to the interroga.ory of the
Committee, and offer it as presenting COM
pletely all my recollections of the assault and
| of the attending circumstances, whether i'm
mediately before or Immediately after | de-
sire to add that beside the words which have
given as uttered by my assailant, have an in
distinct recollection of the words ''old man."
but these are so enveloped in the mist which
ensued from the first blow, that am not sure
whether they were uttered or not.
On the cross examination of Mr.. Sumner he
stated that he was entirely without arms of
any kind, and that he had no notice or warn
ing of any kind, direct or indirect, of this as
sault.
In answer to a cross-question, Mr.. Sumner
replied that what he had said of Mr.. Butler
was strictly responsive to Mr.. Buffers speech
es, and according to the usages of parliament
tary debate.
~ Tho Weather vactnrda voc nuitn c0nl
for the season. The nights are chilly, and