Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-01-27
Henry stanbury.
HIS hxpERIEsces WHILE DEFENDINu
THE SoUTH CAROLINA KC kIrX


xette, of this city, tomorrow pub
fishes the Substance Of an interview
which Ms. reporter has had with
Hon. Henry Sianbury concerning
certain damaging statements con
tanned in the newspapers in regard
to experiences during the ku-KluX
trials in South Carolina, especially
with reference to the alleged dis
courtesy sh )wn him and his associ.
ate counsel Hon. Rovcrdy Johnson,
by leading citizeas in Columbia,
and the report that they had re-
tired in disgust from the defense of
these cases. Mr.. Stanbury. who
had, l,card Of thcao statements, but
not read them, on being shown
them ut oncc pronounced them
wholly without foundation. lie
said Mr.. Johnson and he yceeiged
in Columbia u warm welcome from
the citizens, who repeatedly ex-
pressed their grateful sense and full
apprc citation Of their professional
services in these cases. a wish was
expressed By tho citizens that they
would except IL public entertain
lnent. but this was discouraged by
Mr.. Johnson and he. who found
themselves too fully occupied with
their professional duties, and be-
sides under the circumstances they
deemed it incxpcdient. MrStanbury
showed the reporter letter from
Gen. Wade Hampton, dated Colum-
bin, December 80, written on the
evening Of the cx-Attorncy Gcncr-
ais departure, in which General
Hampton says: .....
"Allow me, as chairman Of the
committee inviting you here, to cx.
press tho sense of obligation felt by
our people to you for the zeal you
have shown and the great ability
you have manifested in the great
question now at stake
Mr.. Stankpry said their reception
socially, was all that could be de-
sired, though they were debarrcd to
some extent from moving in society
by tho engrossing nature Of their
duties. Mr.. Slanbury said thci,'
purpose in visiting Columbia was
to argue the legal question that
grew out Of Ku-Klux prosecutions
touching the Jurisdiction Of the
courts Of the United States over tho
offences and the constitttionality Of
the act o! Congress called the en-
forcemcnt acts Of 1877 with view
TO bringing these questions before
the Supreme Court of the United
States. and that they had succeeded
upon division in opinion between
the Circuit and District Judges in
having two important questions
certified to the Supreme CaArt
These questions Messrs. johnson
and Stanbury expected to argue in
u few weeks. Upon the pressing
request Of the local counsel they
did assist in trial by jury of ono
case, aud whatever disgust they cx-
perienccd while at Columbia was
in the utter hopelesnoss Of defend
ing against charge which in their
judgment was not made out bclors
y jury as they sat in the case.
Mr.. Stnnbury said persons to
serve as jurors in United States
Courts in South Carolina are selec-
ted by Collectors of United States
Internal Revenue, and that the jury
which sat in the case above referred
TO was composed OF ten negroes and
two white men. In view OF this
and Kindred facts, Mr.. Stanbury
said that some idea might be formed
as TO the manner the collectors had
discharged their duty.
Death OF Gen. hcOnidas Polk,
An cx-Conftderate, writing for
tho Westminster Review gives the
following account of tho death of
the Bishop General
"Ihe death of the distinguished
man was \ melancholy one. 1t oc.
cured while our army lay in front
of Kenne, aw Johnston, with a group
Of officers. among whom was Polk,
was making Il reconnaissance OF
Pine Mountain. II lofty, solitary
mount, jutted out from the apex OF
an acute angie, on which our line
was arranged. The situation was
u very hazardous one, being com
manded, or rather reached by guns
from any portion of the cnenys
lines, The unusal assemblagc in
such a conspicuous place soon at
lracted the vigilant enemy. A
battery in front Immediately fired
ono shot, which we afterwards
found out was the prelude to one
Of the most fearful shellings ever
witnessed. The group were stand
ing between young Beauregard's,
battery and the Fifth company Of
Washington artillery, Johnston be-
ing on the works looking through
a field glass. That first shot could
not have missed him two feet, but
the only attention. he paid to it
was to turn his glasses to the bat
terry that fired it. PU.k had in the
meantime separated from the group
and was walking ihoughtfally away
with his left side to the enemy
his head down and his hands clasp
cd behind him. The second shell
fred at the crowd struck him in the
arm, and passed through tho body,
tearing out his heart, and then
crushing his right arm above
the elbow. lie dropped on one
knee, wavercd, then fell on one
side--dead. ] had scarcely turned
my back when heard the murmcr
Of horror run through the line,
"General Polk is killed Johnston
said not a word, but ran TO him and
lifted him in his arms. Hardec
uttered a cry and also rushed for
ward. lie was past all human help.
The members Of his staff tenderLy