Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-03-23
From the Richmond Enquirer
MIR. j. II. COWardin and Col. A.
Fulkerson bSfOre the Police
Justice.

MIR. j. II. Cowardin and Col. A
Fulkerson befOre the Police
Justice.
Col. A. FulkessOn and Mr.. J. P.
Cowardin, arrested upon suspicion
that they were about to fight a duel,
appeared before the Police Justice
yesterday to answer the Charge.
Messrs. ". w. Lacy, Haw and VIM
appeared as counsel for Dir. Fulkel,
son, and Mr.. s. b. Witt for Mr.. Co,
wardin. Mr.. Lacy stated that be
appeared by request of the Speaker OF
the House of Delegates to ask the
discharge of Mr.. Fulkerson, who, as a
member the House, was privileged
from arrest during the session of the
General Assembly, except for treason,
felony or breach of the peace, and
the warrant charged the commission
OF neither of those offences, but that
breach of the peace was about to be
committed.
The Court having overruled the
motion, DR.. David PannilI, of Orange
county, was placed on the witness
stand. He stated that in view OF the
recent affair between Mr.. James A.
Cowardin and Mr.. Fulkerson, certain
movements of Mr. J. 7. Cowardin,
led him, in connection with rumors
he had heard, to apprehend a breach
of the peace between the parties
He therefore gave the information
upon which they were arrested.
Mcssrs. Loneley and James, menu
bers of the House, stated that they
met Mr.. Fuikcrson at Ford's Hotel
about 4 o'clock on Wednesday after
noon. and at bis request went to the
Hotel, where Mr.. Evans was waiting
and told him that Colouel Fulkerson
wonld reply by 10 O'clock next day
Thursday Colonel Fulkerson did
not explain to Messrs. Lougley and
James what he meant by the message,
and they knew nothing more about
the matter.
Gen. BagSell, of Accomac, said /:
4 few days ago Col. Fuikerson receiv-
communication from MIR. James p.
Cowardin with regard to a difficulty
which had occurred between his
father and Col, Fulkerson. Being
en- intimate personal friend OF Col.
FulkcrsOn he consulted me about the
matter and asked me to convey an
answer in reply to the communication
which lie had received from Mr.. Co.
wardin, The substance Of the reply
was that under the circumstances he
did not consider himself responsible
to Mr.. James P. Cowardin for any
thing that had occurred between Mr.
Cowardin, ST., and Col. Fuikerson.
This was embodied in a letter which
was written yesterday Wednesday,
morning, and would have been de
livered by me bat for my absence in
Petersburg, or upon my return but
for the arrest of these gentlemen.
At this point the Justice asked
Gen. BagwelI to produce the cor
respondence if he had in his posses
sion.
Tie counsel for both parties object
ed, but TIE court Overruled their
objections, and the letters we're read
to the court.
The first letter was as follows:
"RICuMoND, March l6, 1873.
Colonel AJrdnl tnherSon.'
Dear Sir--YOu have seen fit recent
ly to assail my fathers person and
character in most I'M ust and Un>
tinle!u manner. His honor is dearer
to me than my own life, and unless
there is some retraction on your part,
you must answer to me for your wan
ton attack upon one Of the purest and
best men in this Commonwealth.
NJ friend Nir. II. Tate Evans will act
for me and receive any reply you may
have 20 make to this communication.
[ am. SIR,
Yours very respectfully,
JAMES 2. CowARDIN."
To which the following reply was
made:
"RIcuMoND, March II, 1875.
james p. Coacardin, Esq:
Dear Sir-Your note of the 10th
inst, was handed me at late hour
last night by your friend, Mr.. Tate
Evans.
will reply at an early date.
Very respectfully,
"a. FULKERsoE"
Mr.. Cowardis desiring an immed-
late reply to his demand, sent this
letter:
RICuMOND,. March 18th, 1875.
Colonel AJrdm FulkerSon
Dear Sir-Your note of this morn
ing has been handed me- by my friend,
Mr.. Evans, 1t is entirely unsatisfac-
tory, You should know enough Of
the nsagcs among gentlemen to APP
prcciate this fact, | am in the city
on a visit to settle this matter, and
it must be settle at once You must
make ample apology for the assault
made upon my father or hold your
self rpSuoDSiblP TO me An immp.