The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-22
THE HARDEMAN HOMICIDE.
Mr.. Jas. s. Prestidge, the Accused,
Makes a Declaration.
His Statement of the Facts.

HIS OUdtOnuCuC VI Iu0 dCUSs
The following is the declaration filed by
MI. Prestidge before the Recorder on Sa.ur-
day last:
I make this my voluntary declaration in
reference to the killing of the late VIM. D.
Hardeman. with which I am charged, and
ask that it be received according to law.
A day or two previous to the day of the col.
lision between the late VIM. D. Hardeman
and myself I had made q business arrange
ment with one of the customers of my firm,
Prestidge, Graham & Co.-Mr. Hardeman
being out at the time the business was trans
acted, and upon his return to the Office COM
municated the arrangement to him. He
seemed satisfied and assented to it. There
was no cause that l can conceive of to au-
thorize any complaint on his part in refer
ence to this transaction, but during the day
of the collision, Saturday. the 4th inst, ne
took occasion to revive the subject He ap-
preached me in an angry manner, addressed
me question about the business, to which
replied quietly and kindly. He was angry and
excited, and continued his remarks about the
business, finding fault with it and me. was
at loss to conceive why he should exhibit
this irritation about transaction concluded
with his assent, and asked him what he
meant. In the same passionate manner, he
said he meant business; that there was no
business in that document, abiding to the
agreement in reference to the Transaction,
pointing at it in q contemptuous, offensive
manner. With great vehemence and in the
tone of dictation ne said he intended to op-
pose such transactions, and did not care
who liked them, or words to that effect.
His behavior on this occasion was
wholly out Of place between partners equal in
position. His manner and language was in
sultiog, domineering, and was wholly unpro-
voked but forebore, endured the humiliation
he had put upon me, and banished it from my
mind. During the course of the day took
occasion to address Mr. Hardeman the ordi-
nary remarks about business to show him
carried no unpleasant impressions, but he
maintained to me throughout the day the
department of irritation and i'll feeling. To
further make overtures for peace and harmony
I took occasion that evening to have a CONVEX
aation with Mr. Black. to show Mr.. Hsrdeman
flor thought Mr.. Black would repeat the
conversation to him, as they were intimately
that sought friendship. I will state that for
weeks prior to this occasion Mr.. Hsrdeman
had exhibited coldness of manner to me,
and almost ignored me in tie business. I
believe his complaint was that did not go to
the country to look after business, but of this
matter l conceived that some Difference was
due to my own Judgment and thought the
interest of the firm required my presence
here. HIS course impressed me with the
belief that his purpose was to force me out OF
the firm, although our partnership did not
expire till the LIST of February, 1878.
went to my dinner at the usual time, with
no intention Of returning to the counting
room that night. While at dinnsr note was
brought to me from MIR. Hardeman. It was
addressed to me as "Sir." marked de-
parture from his accustomed mode of ad-
dressing me by note or letter, and
his note requested me to meet me him at the
Office that evening at hall. past O'Clock; re-
piled would come, but the bearer of the
note stated that written answer was re-
quired, which I sent. With no intention of
returning to the Office that evening, went
there only because of this requirement of Mr..
Hardeman. He reached the Office few mo-
ments after did. His face, as he came in,
exhibited irritation. After few words, the
back room or cotton.room was selected for
the interview. Hardeman was last to 90 into
the back room, and before doing so he went
to his desk, and, as 1 thought, to arm himself
The interview commenced with reproaches
and complaints directed against me. In harsh
terms, Mr.. HArdeman blamed me for not 60
Au6 AAW LILO COuAtIy duV 1OI mhtt0IS COu.
nected with the business, and he was denun-
ciatory and threatening. I said was not a
servant to be ordered about, but member of
the firm, and had rights which ought to be
respected. Mr.. Hardeman said was paid to
do my duty. said I had done my best
Nh. Hardeman exhibited the fercest passion.
His manner was in the highest degree men,
acing, and in tones of anger he declared he
was for war; that he would publish dissolu-
ton and kick me out of the firm; and follow
ing up this threat of violence, he made a
movement towards me. He had exhausted
harshness of expression; had no motive for
his determined approach, except'to execute
violence upon my person, and his advance
was Enthusiastically hostile; there was but dim
light in the room afforded only by the gas in
the front Office, from which the back room
is separated by painted glass, and believed
he was armed as he advanced towards me;
both his arms were. raised in threatening
manner menacing Violence, and drew my
pistol to defend myself, Notwithstanding
which he continued to advance upon me, de-
claring in tones of menace and those of
man resolved on violence, he was not afraid
of me or my pistol, and while he was thus
advancing upon me with his arms raised for
violence in the threatening manner 1 have
stated, and about to carry out his threat and
life if no could, firmly believing he was
armed and under the apprehension and con.
viction that my lie was in actual danger,
fred upon him in self. defense, which had no
effect whatever in repeliihg the attack. for
simultaneously with the shot, or with the in
terval Of but moment, be inflicted upon me
severe cuts and blows about the head and
face, with what seemed and believed to be
a weapon he had in his hands; he maintained
this attack upon me with great vigor, and
while thus attacked and to repell his con-
tinued aggressions and to protect my life,
fred another shot; he then paused or perhaps
receded, hut it was but momentary, for he
renewed the attack; he closed with me, in
flcting upon me very severe wounds and he
persisted in his attack upon me until we
separated from exhaustion; from first to last
in this conflict, begun by Mr. Hardeman, I
received severe cuts and bruises. 1 was bleed
ing profusely when we separated, and from
the effect of my injuries 1 was confined to my
bed for several days; and now declare that