The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-03-22
zion Of Mr.. !. .. rrc..,arc In re-

Hsrarma"
,,,,oe 4, Preaiidge made HE fol
w. ~ declaration in regard to tho kill
OWE Major W. y. Hardeman on tn
R W. Of the fourth Of March, in tn
's" 0Dce Of witnesses. whose names ar
p 'I,.cbed to the declaration;
H.te this my voluntary declaration
msrencs 20 the killing Ut the lat
q VIZ Hardeman. with which ] an
Vn,aJ aid ask that it loo read accord
ar two previous TO the day or tn,
h ~ between the late VIM. d. Harde
9l.,.nd myself had made business
nsu"rement with one OF the customers
arm Prostidge. Graham & Co
tardeman being out at tho tim,
business was Transacted. and upcr
9s .ntnrn to the Office I communicate
" arrangement TO him. He seemed
.,siled aud assentod TO it. There was
@nae that can conceive Of to au
sndss any complaint on his part IN
| a%H,peeto this transaction, but during
day 81 the collision. Saturday, the
| u inst, he took occasion to revive
| Va subject. He approached me in an
.orry manner. addressed me q question
'hslt the business. to which ] re-
MA quietly and kindly. He
NJ angry and excited. aud con
"uod hiA remarks about the
sasness. finding fault with it and me.
II 1sas at loss to conceive why he should
,hbit this irritation about u transac-
A. ronrluded with his assent, and
.,tad him what he meant. In the
sme fmssonate manner no snid he
Sm, busincss that there was no bus
.oss in that document. allnding to the
arpemcht In reference to the transac-
'.a pbiniing nj IN n contemptuous.
rsnsiye manner Will, great vehe-
aaoce ana in The tone OF dictation he
al he intended to oppose such trans
'~hs.a and did not care who liked
Mann. or words to that effect. His be-
,.vinf on this occasion was wholly out
4 v nlhcr bhtwecn partners equal in po-
.tnn. His manner aud language WAS
,'nllipg, dominecring. and was wholly
.,nroyokeI. but foreboro. endured the
initiation he had put upon me. and
anished IL from my mind. During
%o coarse Of the day ] took occa-
IAN 10 address Mr.. HardemaD the ordi- |
INV remarks about business to show
linn / carried no unpleasant impres-
.Sns but he maintained 10 me through
i N ,bt day the department Of irritation
,odill feeling. 70 further mako over.
lnps for peace and harmony l took
,gaaion fliat evening to have n CONVEX |
Alton with Mr. Black, TO show Mr.. |
gardaman Nor ] thought Mr.. Black
rmld repeat the conversation to him, |
they were intimatel that ] sought !
Ifeudship. will state that for weeks
rior to this occasion Mr. Hardcman
"A exhibited u GOODNESS Of manner to |
no and almost ignored me in the bust
ss, believe his complaint was that
Ildid not 10 10 the country to look after |
gsiness, but Of this matter conceived |
hal some Difference was due to my own
1igment. and thought the interest OF
HE firm required my presence here.
I Bs course impressed me with the belief
that his purpose WINS TO force me ont of
4 he firm, although our partnership did
M expire I'LL the LIST of February,
a ~ -
went 10 my dinner ut tho usual time,
nth no intention Of returning 10 the
pgn'ing room that night. While at
inner d note was brought to mo from
4 Nf HarlIcman II was addressed to me
y ssh" marked departure from bis
uusomcd mode Of addressing me by
Ne or letter, and his note requested
be to meet him NJ the Office that even.
'g at half-paet O'Clock l replied
pud come. but tho bearer of the note
slej that II written answer was re-
Eued, which ! sent. With no intcn.
lion Of returning to the Office that even
Ig went there only because OF this
INuirement Of Mr. Hardeman. He
ached the Office few moments after
ia His face, rs he came In, exhibited
lHtatitn., After q few words. the back
nm. or cotton room, was selected for
iae Interview. Hardcman was last to
pinto the back room, aud before doing
N he went to- IFS desk. and. as I
bought, to arm himself. I....| .-.
The interview commenced with re-
reaches aud complaints directed
alnst me. IN harsh terms, Mr. Hartle-
An blamed me for not going into the
gDtry and for matters connected with
We business, and lie was den,lnciatory
I'd tMrntening. Tsaid was not ser
mt to be ordered about. but n member
The firm, Ind hhd rights which ought
9@rspocted. Mr.. Hardeman said /
~ paid to dollny duty. l said I.had
saemy best, MIR. HardeDlan exhibited !,
R aefQcst passion. His manner was in
a highest degree mepacing. and in
aes'nfianger he declared he WIS for
"; that he would publish n dissolution
u KICK me out OF the firm and follow
1 upthis thrcat1of violence, he made
noyement, towards me He had ex
asted harshness Of expression; had
inotiHefershiS determined approach. \
'sN to execute violence upon my
non, and bis advance was un-
Eakably hostile there was but dim
ut IN thH r1ofaii Afforded only by the r
= III the 'front.' Office, from which the
ss room Is separated by painted glass,
q believed he was armed as he adj
heed towards me: both his arms were
aed in a threatening manner. men
Ing violence, and drew my pistol to
dend myself, notwithstanding which
continued to advance upon me, de-
a1ng In tones OF menace and those OF
nan resolved on violence, he was not
'nld OF me or my pistol, and while he
y thps1adyancing upon mo with his
ms nlised for violence in the threaten
= mahner have stated, and about to \
sry out his threat and do me great
'sonal violence. or take my life IL he
ald firmly believing he was armed,
" under the apprehension and
aavletaon'in that my life aq was in
Hal danger, l fired upon him
self-defense, which r had no
sG whatever in repelling the attack,
:, simultaneously with the shot, or |
y, nth interval Of but n moment, he
Sele1 upon me severe outs and blows
"t thea head and face. with what I,
NEE and l believed to be d weapon
! n asd w his hands he maintained this
rs sck rpon me with great yigor, and ;
, sa thus attacked and to repell his !