The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-31

!. AOCItb1DSAtt sCS = tSE<o ~ DISIooL
OF, AND OFFERS coz oNE-cAPTAIN CoE
IN OUR CITY-HE SEES AND DENIES POSI-
TIyELYbTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS DIS
f::PATCH.
Last evening we had the pleasure OF meet
ing Captain w. II. Coe, 4 gallant eX-Con-
federate, who has recently exposed the vii
liany of Platt.
We give below the reportt OF the case,
which Captain Coe substantiates in every
particular.
from the Norfolk Landmark
NORFOLK, Va, August 90, 1876.
I submit the subioined statement, which
Captain W. II. Coe, OF Washington city,
and hereby dismiss Paxton and its author,
James II. Platt, as beneath my contempt.
.- JOHN GooDE, in.
NORFOLK, VA, August 90, 1876. .
/, W. H. Coe, of Washington city, D. c.,
make the following statement: On the eve
ming of the 23d of August, 1876, 1 called
upon the Hon. James II. Platt at his rooms,
No. 110S + street, in the city OF Washing
ton, for the purpose OF procuring letter OF
introduction to Alexander r. Sheppard,
which desired to use in obtaining stua-
GlOIl dl tiC lISLltulSs " hCi L
called Mr.. Platt asked me how was getting
along with General Wright, meaning to in
quire if had secured a position with him.
l told him had accomplished nothing. He
asked me If I knew who the contractors
were. My reply was, 81 don't know but
one, and that is General Averill." He then
said, "Do you know where he is stop
ping?" Ireplied, "At the Ebbitt House"
He then said, 81 will go and see him in
person this evening"" He then said, " You
are the very man wanted to see; / was
Just thinking Of you when your name was
sent to my room." He asked me il had
seen the letter from Norfolk signed "PaX-
ton," in the National Republican. [" Pax
toms" letter was filled with abuse OF Hon.
John Goode.l My reply was, "No, SIR"
Whereupon he handed me the paper con-
tanning the letter, and at the same time
showed me the card of the Hon. John Goode
and a letter Of John T. Dezendorf, publish
ed in the Norfolk Day-Booh. lie then said,
'' I will now tell you what want, upon the
honor Of 4 Mason" My reply was, D." I am
no Mason" lie said: ''This letter Of PAX
tom has caused considerable excitement
in Mr.. Goodies district. want some one to
assume the responsibility. Knowing you to
be gallant cX-Confederate, and not afraid
to fight, I thought you would not object. II
I were to assume the responsibility, and to
get into duel with Mr.. Goode, it would
disqualify me from holding Office in Fir-
ginia. You being resident OF Washington
it would not affect you. II go to Virginia
to fight Mr.. Goode, and should kill him,
would Immediately be arrested and hung or
sent to the penitentiary but II Mr.. Goode
should kill me nothing would be done with
him. Let what may come I will back YOU"
said, every WE'LL" He said, "Can
you call here this evening? 1 will
have the letter prepared for you -
(meaning the second letter OF Paxton),
(which you can copy. We will then so
to the Republican office. and will have
it published" l said, eyes" On my re-
turn that evening he showed me the manu-
script OF the second letter in his hand-writ-
Ing, and asked me to sit and copy it. took
the chair to do so. He gave me paper, and
walked into the adjacent room. / wrote
two or three lines, and thought within my
self "What am doing? He is taking adj
vantage OF my poverty, and trying to COM
pei me to do a dishonorable act. l will
catch him in his own trap" l then arose,
walked into the adjacent room where he
was sitting, and told him I was too ner-
vous to write, but will have it copied for
you. His reply was, "No; I could not
trust any one with this" He then said :
{. Can you meet me at the Republican
office to-night?" Ireplied "Yes;" and
babe HIM good evening. l called at the Re
publican office and asked the clerk il Mr..
Platt had been there. He said, "I have not
seen him." waited some time, and seeing
nothing OF him went back to the clerk and
asked the clerk to ascertain.if he was in the
building. Word came back Yes; who
wishes to see meS" / gave my name, and
was asked up stairs, when he introduced
me to two gentlemen. He then pulled out
the manuscript and asked me to look over
it, which I did. He then stated to the two
gentlemen, this is the communication which
I copied for him, meaning me. 1t was then
delivered to the gentleman whom l sup
posed to be the editor. He received it, and
it appeared in the Republican the next
morning. Mr.. Platt and myself then left
the office and walked to the northeast corner
of Thirteenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue, where I bade him goodnight.
Before leaving he said /: b" Come to my room
in the morning, and will give you the let
ter to General Averill." I did go to his
room, and received from him the following
letter to General Averill:
;t@ 110S F STREET, WASHINGTON, d. c.,
s@".aE.. "l August "a, 1876. J.
General 0. j. Averi, Ebbitt House: II,
My Dear General-The bearer, Captain
William II. Coe, is the gentleman about
whom spoke to you yesterday. Any favor
shown him will be fully appreciated by d
Yours truly, JAMES II. PLA1T.
I also received from him at the same time
the following draft, in bis handwriting, OF
the note to be written by me to Mr.. Goode
in case he should make a demand upon
Paxton" in compliance with the terms
proposed in his second letter:
WASHINGTON, D. G.
Sr,-Your communication OF --, adj
dressed to Paxton, is received. have re-
Farred tbe camo to Hon James FL Pfatt