The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-08-14
5,COLUMBIAs.
Friday Morning, August IA. 1868.
j. L. Neag1c, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
T (so-called.) ,.t. ,.,


name (dis) graces the head of this
brief sketch, we beg to express our
profound regrets that the severe
indisposition OF our reporter pre-
vented his attendance in the House
of (mi9 Representatives, on Wednes-
day,saand therefore precluded the
possibility of bis securing for publi-
cation the very earnest appeal which
the newly.elected Comptroller Gene
raj, (so-called, made for the support
of the colored people. We realize
the disappointment which our read
ers will suffer from3 This announce
ment, as well as that which will be
felt by the Comptroller General,
(so-called,) who, it is understood,
had been engaged in the preparation
Of this speech for the last six weeks.
But las ia compensation to him for
the loss of the onotoriety which he
seeks, we publish the following let
ter, which has been placed in our
hands from an authoritative source:
CAARIoTTE, N. O., August 10, 1868.
DEAR SIR: In replying to your
favor of the 9th instant, making
inquiries in reference. to the charac-
ter Of DR.. j. L., Neagle, T willstate
such facts as I know, of my own per-
sonal knowledge, in as brief and
concise q manner as possible.
In 1851, L. Neagle, with several
other young men, (including myself
boarded with Fl. s. Pharr, Esq,
near Harrisburg Depot, 7Cabarras
County, North Carolina, and went to
school. to Mr.. s. Lindsley. Neagle
was beneficiary of Concord Presby-
terry, and was being educated for
minister. q The first three or four
months, his department was excel
lent;t he prayed regularly every
morning and evening, and observed
strictly every Sabbath. In fact, his
great object seemed to be to do the
will, of Him who said, "Thou shalt
not steal" Lii
After the time referred to-, pocket
books, money, &c. began to disap-
pear. Nengle professed to lose
money. Our landlord suspected
Neagle, but no one of the borders
did. One morning after this, Mr..
81. s. Pharr and wife started for
Concord, about the same time we
started for school Neagle said that
he was sick aud remained ut home.
When we returned from school, we
found that Neagle' had robbed several
of the boarders' trunks and left for
parts unknown. He did not take his
trunk with him, but left nothing of
value in it. Some time after this, on
returning from school, we were sur
prised to find that our landlord had
Neagle in duress. Neagle had re-
turned to get his trunk, and, our
landlord, fortunately, being at home,
persuaded him to remain until we
returned from school. During the
evening, 7. l.. Neagle confessed,
voluntarily, in the r essence of Messrs.
IL. s. Pharr, w. w. Alexander, j. s.
Davidson, William Davidson and
myself, that he committed all the
thefts charged against him, demurr-
ing only to the charge Of William
Davidson-stating that it was not
five dollars and eighty cents that he
took from him, but .fce dollars and
seuenty:fee cents
Neagle begged us not to expose
him. promising that he would replace
the clothing, and refund the money
as soon as he arrived in Charlotte.
He said. that he had credit at Full
ling & Townly's clothing store, and
had relative in Charlotte from
whom he could get the money.
After consultation, we decided to
accept Neagle's proposition, and J.
s. Davidson and myself were selected
to escort him to Charlotte. On the
next day, we took the train for
Charlotte. Neagle appeared to be
so mortified, that we did not guard
him closely. He succeeded in MAX
ing his escape from as, and never
heard Of him again until the fall of
1860. His history, since that time,
suppose yon are familiar with. < (
Very respectfully, hNUn
g. B. ALEXANDER. b ,
Capt. Isaiah Rynders, of New
York. is takin1 on oat;Igii!sI e..