Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-19
FOR THE ABDEvILLE PRESS.
Card of A. L. Welch.
ABBEvILLE, Feb. 6, 1860.

Banner of the Sd, contains an account OF
my late unfortunate affair with Briscoe,
the outlawed Tennesseean, and my subse-
quent arrest by Sheriff Cason, which is not
only inconsistent With fact, bat reflects se-
verely upon my conduct on that occasion.
IN justice to myself, I am constrained to
correct your misiuformation by the state.
ment which follows, and trust that you will
give it place in your columns.
On the morning of Thursday, January
2sth, was in Lowndesvile, at the store Of
Messrs. Dorsey & Co, making purchases.
Being told that Briscoe had just ridden up,
aud appreheuding, from reasons mentioned
below, that his object WAS to make an at
tempt upon my life, which he had sworn,
on various occasions and in tho hearing OF
various parties, TO take ION sight," at
once sought him, prepared to anticipate
any such attempt on his part.
When came up with Briscoe, he vas
WAS seated on his horse, with his left hand
upon his hip. Convinced that the position
was ffaught with hostile intentions, and
believing that my life was in danger with
out prompt action on may part, drew my
pistol and fred upon him. Whether be
was wounded by this discharge canQot
say however, think not, for he retained
his seat despite the unruly conduct of his
horse. On my third fire the horse was
wounded aud fell to the ground, Briscoe
regainidg his feet and firing upon me-al'
the while shouting for his 'boys." One
II. w. Curtis, who, it seems, must have
been one of his "boss," at this time made
his appearance, and began firing upon me
also. Ny pistol refusing TO fire any more,
I took shelter in the StorS Of the Messrs.
Baker.
After the affray I repai red to the resi-.
dence of Col. w. J. Lomax, where, q: my
request, was visited by Mr.. Giles, Mag
issrate, and Mr.. Dorsey, and through the
Influence Of those two gentlemen obtained
an interview With H. w. Cults, who ea.
planned and apologizsd for his conduct
making at the same time the statements
contained in the certificate below.
Previous to these occurrences, I had been
Informed by Mr.. Baker, that Briscoe had
called at his store that morning and in
.auired Of him, if any strangers" we're in
Town, Icing answered in the negative. he
replied that it did not matter as he had a
reserve 10 The woods-pointiug in the di.
rection from which lie had come.
With regard 10 my arrest. On Friday.
goth, I went to Abbeville Court House in
or Ter to submit myself to any just demands
the law might exact for my breach of the
public peace. Ny lawyer being absent, l
made a deposition before the Clerk of
Conrt, who made opt, and tnrned over to
ths Sheriff, for bis acli9u, a warrant for my
arrest upon the charge of murder. In
what law is a jussifiabls assault with intent
to kill termed murder?
Neither, upon the service of the writ,
nor at any time subsequent, did I either by
act or thIeats, make any resistance to the
Sheriff in the performance of his duty.
Indeed. my eondpet it.elf in voluntarily
giving Up. or placing myself iu The reach
Of the law, is .le best relutation of my
misstatsd assault upon that officer and bis
deputy. Ny presence at the .Ceprt House
wa sa!ely for the purpose Of eppeasing
not aggravatipg, an offended Jew. was
willing TO submit to any dsmana founded
on justiee : but not to the t,eatmsnt of q
ifslon. when the offence which had com
.mi.ted is only, in its worst forms, punished
with Imprisonment, afier conviction.
was willing to submit myself to the decision
Of a Jury-I was willing to any punish
ment they might iuAics-but not to .b.
Infringement Of my rights az . citizen
Being denied the privilege of Ha5eas Cor.
psss in case of SO little magnitude, and
under such extenualing circumstances,
felt justified IL evadipg not the law, but
partial and improper execution Of IL. Nor
was this evasion in any way Effected BY
force, but in this wise :. After a long aud
unsatisfactory parley with. the Sheriff,
became sleepy, i.his wss .st mighty and
sigui6ad my intention Of retiring. Bein,
followed into the street by the Sheriff
n,,Q9n al TIT. t.