Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-28

The Cincinnati Commercials Wash
ington correspondent has this racy de-
scription Of one of the remarkable men
of New Orleans:
OF the class, and think it is very
bad class, met the other day on the floor
of the House, was sitting beside Board
man Smith, who was member of the
Congressional committee to investigate
the recent legislative troubles in New
Orleans, and we were. talking about the
inquiry and the mischievous complica-
tions that had been engendered in that
city; uo
by the way" said he suddenly, Gar
ter is here and want you to see him.
He is remarkable man. He stands
against the door there
| looked in the direction he indicated,
and saw the profile of a face that seemed
to be without cultivation or refinement;
it was, indeed rather coarse. answered
that did not care to meet him; but after
few moments Carter came over to Mr..
Smiths seat and we were introduced.
As soon as / obtained a full view of his
face | could see that he was something
more than an ordinary man, and be-
came interested in him. He is about
five feet ten or eleven inches high,
light complexion, handsome brown hair,
which is rather long, an auburn mus
tache, the ends falling down over the
corners of rather sensual mouth. His
forehead is rather low, but full above the
eyes. His head is large and his body is
medium-shoulder slightly bent. His
eyes and the expression of his face are
mild, but there is something in his face
| that is wicked, or at least something that
tells people he is not to be trified with.
He does not dress quite as well as an ex-
Speaker of the Louisiana Legislature
should dress, especially one who has so
lately kicked up such an awful row. He
had on a dark military coat and cape, a
flaming green necktie, and a shirt that
was a trihe soiled. He had brown
slouch hat in one hand and a massive
gold cane in the other, and he "wrestled'
big chew OF tobacco in his mouth.
Although his face, as before stated, indi-
Gated that he was not man to be trified
with, yet Mr.. Smith and the writer, be-
tween us, succeeded in getting good
deal of
PERSONAL HISTORY
out of him. He said his age was nearly
forty, that he had been thirty eight the
past two years | asked him what his
occupation was.
II am lawyer now"
What were you beforeY
Legislator.
Before that2"
Colonel in the Confederate army"
Anything else?'
"Yes, preacher-a Methodist preach
err
1.-THE devil Is that all2"
NO. he answered, used to be a
teacher. The fact is, was raised very
nicely, but the devil got the advantage
someway. Some people call me seal
awag, but not to my face, you mind;
but am not a scalawag | was born il
the South it's true, but am not seal
awag. | am a native of Virginia, and !
own plantation in that State now. /
was educated in the South, at the Uni
versity of Alabama. | received my
degree there"
What degree?
"Why, Doctor of Divinity"
"Then you are d. D., are you2
"Well, | was; don't know whether /
deserved it or not. "
AFTER you graduated, where did you
go2"
"Oh, was a professor in the Missis-
sippi University, in the University OF
Petersburg, Virginia, and others. When |
the war broke out was President of the
University of Texas.
did you ever preach2 " | asked.
"Oh, yes" he answered, II was q
very good preacher once. ~.
"Why didn't you remain in that pro-
fession and continue to be truly good
man, like Deacon Smith, of Ohio2"
"Well, he answered, rather sorrow
fully, withdrew to fight duel, and
never returned. Yes" he continued,
noticing my surprise, | left the Metho-
dist church to challenge man-Judge
Grey of Texas"
What for2"
"He called me scalawag. was
making reconstruction speeches, and
while went into the Confederacy rebel
lion with all the ardor Of young lover,
and all the patriotism which possessed,
and although / never loved cause so
we'll in all my checkered existence, yet
when we we're whipped and beaten, |,
for one, was ready to submit. We made
as gallant fight as was ever made, and
when one does the best he can and is
fairly whipped, it is no disgrace SO |
went in for reconstruction. That was
the only challenge / ever gave, but |
don't allow anybody to insult me. ! am
a very peaceable man, but it is generally
understood in New Orleans that | allow
no man to insult me.
FIGHTING CLEAN SHIRT.
"Did you ever accept challenger
"Oh, yes" he answered very deliber-
ately; " you ought to know that. Don't
you remember the duel between Badger
and myself Inever refuse challenge.
/ will fght any man who has on clean
shirt, without igquiring whether he is a
gentleman. He must hare gentlemen
for seconds, however"
Do you believe in duelingY
Yes, on purely economic grounds.
In NeV Orleans it saves time and
trouble. The ohgnces of being killed
are very few, and il people know you
are ready to fight, they are careful not
to misuse you. A man in my position
in New Orleans who would refuse to
6ght duel would be driven out Of town
in month. So | accept ali the chal- !
isnges that come"
Ibid you ever kill your msnY Ii
"No, thank God / never did. have ,
fought great many duels, but ] never !
fought fatal one. I
1 thought this was strange, for sena, /