National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-04

Investigating General Hunton's War.
like Message.
Columbus Alexander Still Pursuing tho vir-
ginia Congressman-Testimon Taken
by the Grand Jury-who Received
the Registered Letter?-Cap-
tain Shepherd Recites
His Proceedings.
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Controversy.

The grand jury continued the hearing yes.
tcrday of the charge brought by Mr.. Columbus
Alexander against Hon. Eppa Hunton, of Vir'
gnia, that the latter had sent him a challenge
aud invitation to mortal combat in the month
of July last.
Mr.. II. z. Alexander was examined, and tes-
titled to having received the registered letter.
which is claimed to have been challenge, at
the city post.oflice and delivered the same to
his father, to whom it was addressed. He also
said that he saw n copy of tho printed protest.
in which his father had been published as a
falsifer, scoundrel, and coward in the hands
of J. +. Dyer of this city.
Colonel r. T. Shepherd, of Virginia, clerk
under the District government, warm friend
of Mr.. Huntons, and who took conspicuous
part in this matter, was also examined. He
admitted to carrying the letters to Mr. Alex
ander, three In number, and said that one was
brought in his pocket from Warrenton, Va, to
this city and delivered to Mr.. Alexander at
his home. lie called there several times for
the purpose of obtaining such answer as Mr..
Alexander might feel disposed to make, until
that gentleman informed him that he would
find way suitable to himself of transmitting
any reply he wished to send Mr., Hunton.
But to mako things doubly sure the witness
informed Mr.. Alexander that any communica-
ton left at the St. Marc Hotel to his care
would reach Mr.. Hunton.
He admitted knowing the contents of all
the letters that he carried, and expected to re-
ceive answers to them when they were delv-
cred to the person to whom they were ad-
dressed.
Colonel Shepherd was rot very cOmmunica-
tive, occupying only u few minutes in The
grand jury room but 1t was evident that il
| he knew anything detrimental TO the best in.
| terCst of Mr.. Hunton, he would keep il back
! unless brought out by compulsory pumping
He was short and stilted in making replies
and answered every question as briefly as pos
sble.
Mr.. Columbus Alexander went into the room,
| for few minutes aud more clearly explained
/ some portions of the statement previously
made.
These were the only witnesses examined in
the case.
Postmaster Stewart, OF the House of Repre-
seEtatives. was expected, but the subpoena was
returned l0n est II is thought that the bailif
will have better success to. day and the wantin;
witness find his way to the grand jury room
Among others Summoned for to day is jane
McNabb, who the grand jury believe can make
I'M explanation they are very DESTROYS OF oh
tainisg. 1t seems that last Saturday there ap
peared in New York paper an article pro
Tossing to give the individual views of the
members of the inquisitorial body upon thi:
subject, and at time, too, when the case had
not sufficiently developed for an impartia
opinion. Whether the statement be true or
false, some of the Jurors are considerably riled
at seeing themselves thus set down in print
and having traced as they believe. the author
ship of the article TO Mr.. McNabb, they have
invited him to the front to make them &C
quainted with his source of Information upOl
which the article in question is based l
promises to be an interesting sitting for tn
grand reviewers to-day.