The Osceola times., 1883-04-14
ALECk STEPHENS.
Judge Cones Desperate Attempt to XIII
Him.

Judge Cone, who was at one time one
of the leading politicians Of Georgia, was
particularly severe in hiscomments upon
Mr.. Stephens action, and was reported
as having publicly denounced 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 friend after another informed him
that Cone had called him traitor, and ad-
vised, in the true Southern spirit, that
he owed it to himself to demand what is
called satisfaction" the fires of puenaci-
ty in his nature, which are always smoul-
dering, hissed 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 Whig
gathering, and going up 70 him quietly
said:
"Judge Cone, have been told that you
for reasons of your own, have denounced
me as traitor to the South, and l take
this opportunity ofasking you if such re-
ports are true?"
"No, 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, do not desire TO be in any way
offensive TO you, Judge Cone, but in order
that we may have no further misunder-
standing, through the Misrepresentation
of others, | think it right to tell you
have said would slap your face if you
admitted having used the language at
tributed to you"
Upon this the Judge again disowned
having spoken disrespectfully of Mr..
Stephens, and so for the time the affair
was ended. 1t was the subject for dis
cussion all over the State, however, and
the general verdict was that Judge Cone
"a very powerful man, by the way-had
shown the white feather to Little Aleck
stephens"
In such a community no public man
resting under such charge could hope
either for political preference 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.. Stephens demanding
an immediate and public retraction of
the threat.
In reply, Mr.. Stephens wrote that the
threat OF slapping the Judges face had
been made contingent upon the truth of
reports regarding which he (Mr. Gomez
had pronounced untrue, and that such
being the case there could be no cause
for ofTcnse or angry feeling on either side.
Unfortunately this letter was never re-
ceived by Judge Cone. Three or four
days after it was written, however, he
met Mr.. stephens on the piazza of a hotel
in Atlanta, and, disrerarding that gentle
mans friendly greeting, said, in very
offensive tone:
"Mr. Stephens, / demand that you
make an immediate retraction of your
threats regarding me-"
[ Sick and weak though he was, Alexan-
der Stephens could allow no one to speak
to him in the fashion described. Judge
Cone was very giant in size and mus
cular development, yet the frail man
whom he addressed, with aggravatng
polteness. and without hesitating mo-
ment, replied;
Pardon me, sir. have already writ
ten you on that subject; | must decline
to discuss it further"
"Am to take this as your answer"
asked Cone, excitedly.
ut is the only answer / have to give
, you," was the calm reply.
"Then | dcnounce you as miserable
little traitor" cried Cone, mad with ex-
element.
Tie last words had hardly left his lips
when light cane, welded by the quick
, hand of the man he had insulted left its
red mark across his cheek
Wild with pain ard passion, without
uttering word, he drew keen-pointed
dirk knife and made thrust at his little
adveisary's heart. instantly as he did
So however, Stephens, seizing stout
umbrella which he held in his left hand,
interposed it as a defense, and was able
for moment to hold him at arms length
The knife fell short of its mark. Once
more it was thrust at Stephens, cutting q
deep cash in his arm, but reaching no
vital point.
|, Eighteen times il cut deep into his
breast, arms and body, but still he did
hot fall. Then he could hold out no
longer. No courage, no spirit, however
firm and unyielding, could long with
stand such an attack. Cone was deter
mined to finish his work. He threw all
his great weight against the umbrella; it
broke, and stephens, half fa!nting, fell
upon his back The giant Cone was at
his throat in a moment; his head, by a
grio oi iron. was held against the floor;
the keen and blood-dripping knife was
held aloft for the last fatal thrust, but
still the poor pale face of the little hero
was set and defiant-his black eyes still
flashed undoubtedly.
"Retract, or I'll cut your id throatw
hissed Cone.
Cut III never retractw gasped the
almost lifeless Stephens.
Like a flash the knife came down.
With an almost superhuman effort the
PROSTATE man caught il in his right hand.
Clean through the muscles, tendons, and
bones il cut, and then stuck fast. With
q grasp almost If death the horribly
mangled and mutilated hand still held
il fast.
In the struggle Stephens was once more
dragged to his feet. The blood was rush.
ing in streams from his many wounds;
his hold upon the knife which sought
his bcayc heart relaxed; lac seemed TO be
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