Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-31
A TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER.

A TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER.
The following is from an interesting biograph-
zeal notice OF Alexander II. Stephens, OF Georgia
In the Now York Times:
During Mr.. stephens Congressional service
and pending the campaign OF 1S4S, he returned
from Washington to Georgia He was fresh
from the great debates on the acquisition OF
California and New Mexico as United States
Territories, and for having taken, against the
wishes OF majority OF die southern members,
most prominent part in opposition to such ac-
gus ltion. he was met with much adverse criti-
cism. Judge Cone, who was at the time one OF
1 the leading politicians OF Georgia was partcu.
action, and was reported as having publicly de-
nounced him as traitor to the south.
Hardly had Mr. Stephens reached his home
when these and similar reports were conveyed
to him. AT first he did not credit them, but as
one kind friend after another informed him that
Cone had called him traitor, and advised. ia the
true southern spirit, that he owed it to himself
TO demand what is called satisfaction" the
fires OF pugnacity In his nature which are al
ways smoldering, biazed up and he declared
that If Judge Cone would admit having called
him traitor to the south he would slap his
face" Not long after this he met the Judge at
a numerously attended wing gathering, and go
ing up to him quietly, said:
Judge Cone, have been told that you, for
reasons OF your own, have denounced me as
traitor to the south: and take this opportunity
OF asking you II such reports are true"
mo, Sir" was Cones reply, they are not
true"
81 am very glad to hear you say So" said Mr.
stephens cordially and In the same friendly
tone continued "Of course l do not desire to
De In any way offensive TO you, Judge Cone,
but In order that we may have no further mis-
others. think 1t right to tell you that have
sad would slap your face II you admitted
having used the language attributed to you"
Upon this the judge again diSowned having
spoken disrespectfully OF Mr. Stephens, and 50
for the time the affair ended. 1t was the SUBJ
1ect OF much disc ission all over the state, how
n was. hat It,ISr
Cone, a very powerful man by the way had
shown the white feather to Little Aleck Ste
phens." In such community, no public man
resting under such charge could hope either
for political preferment or popular respect.
Cone, OF course, knew this and, very much
heated and annoyed by the comments which
were being made upon him, wrote to Mr.. Ste
phens demanding an immediate and public re-
traction OF his threat In reply, Mr.. stephens
wrote that the threat of slapping the judges
face had been made contingent upon the truth
OF reports regarding him which he Mr.. Cone] had
pronounced to be untrue, and that such being
the case, there could be no cause for offence or
angry feeling on either side. Unfortunately this
letter was not received by Judge Cone. Three
or four days after it was written, however he
met MIR. Stephens on the piazza of hotel in
Atlanta, and disregarding that gentleman's
friendly greeting, said, In very offensive tone:
mr. Stephens. l demand that you make an
immediate retraction OF your threats regarding
me-"
Sick and weak though he was, Alexander Fl.
Stephens could allow no one to speak to him in
the fashion described. Judge Cone was very
giant in size and muscular development yet
the frail man whom he addressed with aggra-
waiting politeneSS and without heSitating mo-
ment. replied: pardon me, Sir, have already
cline to discuss it further"
Am to take this as your answer" asked
Cone, eXcitedly.
ut is the only answer have to give you,n
was the calm reply.
"Then l denounce you as miserable little
traitor, cried Cone: mad with excitement. The
last word had hardly left his lips when a light
cane welded by the quick hand of the man he
had 1nsulted left its red scar across his cheek.
Wild with pain and passion, without uttering
Wold he drew keen-ponted drk-knife and
made one furious thrust at his weak little ad-
versarys heart. Instantly as he did so, how
ever stephens, Selling a stout umbrella which
he held In his left hand, fnterposed 1t as de-
arms length, The knife fell short Of its mark.
once more it was thrust at Stephens, cutting
deep cash in his arm, but reaching no vital
point; eighteen times it cut deep into his breast,
arms, and body. but still he did not fall. Then
he could hold out no longer No courage, no
spirit, however firm and unyielding, could long
withstand such an attack Cone was deter.
mined to finish his work He threw all his great
weight against the umbrella which held him
away from the man he had determined to kill;
back. The giant Cone was at his throat in a
moment; bis head, by grip of iron, was held
against the cruel floor; the keen and blood-drip-
ping knife was held aloft before him ready for
OF the little hero was set and def1ant-his black
eyes still flashed undauntedly,
"Retract or I'll cut your cursed throatH
"Cut! I'll never retract" gasped the almost
| lifeless Stephens
Like flash the knife came down. With an
almost supcrhuman effort the PROSTATE man
caught 1t In his right hand F.! Clean through the
muscles tendons, and bones OF the hand It cut
then stuck fast and reached no vital part. With
desperate strength Cone tried to wrench 1t free.
WIN q grasp almost or death. the horribly
mangled and mutilated hand still held it fast
| In the struggle Stephens was once more drag
ged to his feet; the blood was rushing in streams
from his many wounds; his hold upon the knife
which sought his brave heart began to relax; he
was dying. But even when he believed the
next moment would be his last, strong mqn
came to his relief. The mailman Cone was Sc
cured and held fast.
Then quickly the wounds which Mr. Stephens
had received were examined. 1t was found
that one OF them had penetrated to within a
sixteenth of an inch OF his heart. An inter-
costal artery had been cut. The doctors de-
clared that he would surely die. Happily their
predictions were not verified. His life was
saved by the unremitting care of surgeon his
have it, happened to be in Atlanta at the time
When he recovered, with magnanimity of
which few men are capable even OF understand
Ing, he refused to prosecute Cone, and that per-
son, instead of getting his deserts in the dark
cell OF state prison, was fined 81 ,OO0 and with
his ''honor indicated" was allowed to go free
To this day Mr.. stephens speaks Of him In terms
OF consideration and forgiveness. Not long ago.
referring to the terrible struggle 1 have at
tempted to describe, and showing me the great
hole in his mangled hand, he sa1d with quiet
and far away look In his deep, dark eyes: 'Poor
Cone! I'm sure he'd be sorry II he knew what
trouble have to write with these stiff fingers
of mine"
beauty.
FOrney,s P1O1j'ess Saws. ssCo,nnariSon betUaen