National Republican., 1882-01-21
LANIER VS.. KING.
To the Editor ofTnr RnrunIreAx!

10 the Editor ofTHE REPUBLICAN;
Hearing that the contested case of Lanicr VI,
King, of the Fnh District Of Louisiana, would
probably come up next week, and that Mr.. King
would charge among other things that Major
Lanier was desperate, and had killed Federal
officer after the war and was driven from North
Carolina for numbering "a man, Sc, beg, as a
North Carolinian, 70 make statement In connec.
ton with these charges which will, think, satisfy
every one Of their absurdity. When the war broke
out Lanier was n lad Of but fifteen years and had
but recently entered the Unlvenity of North Caro-
lima, at Chapel Hill. In common with almost the
entire school he left his books and enlisted in the
confederate service. where he decidedly distln.
guished himself for galantry, Sc. After the sur
render Of Lee and Johnston he,
RETURNING TO IIIs HOME
in Nash County, North Carolina, at once com
menced to assist in gathering up what remained
of his estate. About this time there appeared in
his heighborhood number OF camp followers,
who, dressed in blue uniforms, began the most
outrageous persecution of the PROSTATE people.
With some other gentlemen he went to Raleigh,
N. c., then commanded by General Candy, and re-
queSted him TO give protection 10 their friends.
To their application Geueral Candy said Have
you no fighting men left?" An affirmative an.
swer being given, he said Then go back and
drive those people away" They returned, and
gathering together such old soldiers as were at
hand, went out In pursuit Of them, and in the
fight which took place when they met several per-
sons on
BOTH SIDES WE'RE KILLED
and twenty three OF the camp followers cap
tured. These men were'put in jail and duly de-
lvered 10 General Logan when he passed through
the town in tho Jail OF which they were confined.
Learning the circumstances of their capture, by
his order each of them was "bucked and gagged"
and placaTds placed ON their breasts, and they 80
stationed that the army passing could see why
they were thus punished. In thus protecting their
persons and homes, Major Laner and his friends
attacked none but brgGuds who took Federal
uniforms only as a disguise, Generals Candy and
Logan never found fault with what was done,
and II Ia passing strange that II II LETT for an eK
confederate at this late day to Try and use 1t as
Argument against tho admission of Major Lanier
20 the seat in Congress TO which he was hon
estly elected by tho citizens OF the Fth District OF
Louisiana. From Nashville County, Ianier, who
was then bnt nineteen, went 70 Hillsboro', Orange
County, North Carolina, to enter the law school OF
Judge RuIin, chief justice OF the State, and
unRvoidably was witness 70 a fight in which
person named "Dook Check" was one Of the
principals
BEING SUMMONED AS A WITNESS
before tho court, he gave evidence which greatly
exasperated Cheek wheneupon he (Chcek) made
violent threats against Laniers person, who heard
these threats, and, knowing that Cheek, when
drinking, was desperate man. went W LdNleI
and told him TO be prepared for trouble Amer
this Laner and a number OF persons were In front
Of a drug store talking, when Cheek discovered
him, and At once started toward him, drawing his
| knife al he came. Lanier promptly halted him
but, seeing that he was compelled TO protect his
| life, NJ once shot him down LRner had lost his
right hand in the army. Thinking Cheek NOR
| tally wounded, he was Adyisedby friends 70 leave
thus saving annoyance and expense Of law suit
! II is due 10 the unfortunate Cheek TO say that
50 SOON As HR RECOVERED
consciousness he at one asked for Lanier, and
| said he did not wifh him intenerred with, that he
| alone was to blame. Check Is Il well mRu to-day
and has never expressed desire TO have Laniel
arrested or otherwise annoyed. This is the mur'
| der he is charged with by Mr. King as hayinI
| caused him to leave the State. Lanier Is cousin
of Senator Ransom, and belongs 10 family Of tn,
highest Tespectability In North Carolina. lie Il
an amiable gentleman, but does not know IN,
] sensation OF fear II the Republican party hGC
more such men in the South land II looks now as 4
/ The time was not distant when they would hay,
theml all this cry about Intimidation woulC
| cease Nc.