Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-06-12
THE CHIVALRIC CODE.
How Three Irate Memphians Tried
10 Force Due1-COrresPOnd-
ence Between Messrs. Cole,
Lucns and Dan and Col.
X. q. wintersmith.
A Card from Colonel WIntersmith.
To tbo Editor Of The oOurier-Journal.

To the Editor Of the Courier-Journal.
A publication in the Memphis Ava
lanche of Captain Z. A. Cole, in relation
to a difficulty that occurred between us
in the city Of Memphis on Thursday
evening last, has just reached me. To
those acquainted with my position and
character, no explanation would be
necessary, but Captain Coles version of
the affair is so inaccurate as to the
causes that led TO the rencounter that l
deem it proper that should make cor
rec: statement. In company with Judge
Greer Z. Fouie on my way to the Pea
boiy Hotel, where | was guest,
We met Captain Cole and | was
stopped and introduced TO him; not
BIZ Colonel Coleman as he states, but
by Judge Foute. ] was unfortunate in
not hearing his name. Immediately
after the introduction he asked me if |
was Colonel Dixon Wintersmith, when !
replied no, sir; Colonel Dick Winter
smith" "0h, yes" he replied, you
are the man who beat me iOr sheriff. 1
remarked, Il reckon not, asking him at
the same time If it was in Kentucky.
He replied, "no, in Memphis" Judge
Foute then interpOsed and said: He
Cd vas living in Kentucky, and had not
been here for years. Captain Cole
replied: Yes, he did help TO de-
feat me. then replied: | did not
know you we're q candidate, or to what
election you referred" he responded
You were the friend Of General Marcus
Wright Ny answer was: " Oh, them
have no apologies TO make, so far as
General Wright is concerned, for, had l
bee1 here, / would have supported him
in preference to any living man; that be
was friend / esteemed as high as any
man living" Captain Cole then re-
piled: " Whether | was here Mem
phis) or in Washington City or Louis
vile, ! manipulated the election" / re-
piled: Captain, | pledge you my word
/ did not know you were even candi-
date and therefore had nothing what
ever to do with your defeat. His re-
ply was, yes you did" / then re-
marked: 81 do not understand you,
ST.. Do you wish to make an issue
or foist a quarrel upon neY' He
replied: You can construe 1t as
you please" ! then became indig-
nant; used some explosives which
forbear to mention. lie replied in the
same strain, with the remark threaten
ingly made that dare not talk TO him
in that way. then became angry, and
approached him, with additional exple-
tiyes in replying angrily, whereupon he
drew large stick he held in his hand
back, raised it, and was in the act Of
striking me, when / interpOsed hit
with my fist and felled him to the pave
ment. The cane or stick struck me
lightly. He rose, and struck him again
with my fist and knocked him down
second time, when we we're parted. He
afterward rushed at me with this stick
and struck me on the arm, and then the
crowd interpOsed, and there it ended.
refer to Judge Green p. Foute and Col.
James Coleman, who were both present
demonstrating with him all the while, in
regard TO his determination to press
quarrel and conflict on me. At the
time Of the quarrel did not know that
there had been convention, to which
he doubtless referred, and was laboring
$50 fANeoA1M NAHA ~ &c INT ENlA-
tleman whom General Wright had de-
feated, and with whom he had a contest
before the courts for possession Of the
Office. i did not know at the time who
he was, or what was his name. / did not
hear at the time Of introducing Captain
Coles name, and therefore did not eyeu
know with whom / was fighting.
Before any correspondence in regard
to the matter had occurred, l was ar.
rested and put under bond 10 keep the
peace, not having Left my room. SO far
as the first two notes are concerned, my
answer is published. The statement Of
Col. W. L. Duff that left the hotel under
the protection Of police Is false, as the
subjoiaed note will verify. have moth
ing further 10 state. Respectfully,
r. G. WISTEEsMTH.