The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-05
Almnst Death Wound.


returned from Washington to Georgia. He
was fresh from the great debates on the ac-
QUESTION of California and New Mexico as
United States Territories and for having
taken, against the wishes of a majority OF the
Southern members most prominent part in
opposition TO such acquisition, he was met
with much adverse criticism. Judge Cone,
who was at the time one of the leading poll
ticians of Georgia, was particularly severe in
his comments upon Mr.. Stephens action,
and was reported as having publicly de-
nounced him as q 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, in the true Southern
spirit that he owed it TO himself to demand
what is called satisfaction" the fires of pug
nacity in his nature, which are always
smoulderng, Missed up, and he declared that
ii Judge Gone 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 gath
ering, and going up to him quietly said:
Judge Cone, l have been told that you,
for reasons of your own, have denounced me
as traitor to the South. and take this OPP
portnnity of asking you if such reports are
true.
NO, sir" was Cones reply, "they are not
true'
II 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 be in any way offensive to you,
Judge Gone, but in order that we may have
no further misunderstanding through the
MISREPRESENTATION of others, | think it right
10 tell you that have said | would slap your
face if you admitted having used the language
attributed toyou."
Upon this, the Judge again disowned hav-
ing spoken diSrespectfully of Mr. Stephens,
and so for the time the affair ended. 1t was
the subject of discussion all over the State,
however, and the general verdict was that
Judge Cone, very powerful man. by the
way, had shown the white feather TO Lit
tie Aleck Stephens" In such community
no public man resting under such
a charge could hope either for po-
litical preferment or popular re-
spect. Cone, of course, knew this, and,
very much heated and annoyed by the COM
ments which were being made upon hlm,
wrote to Mr.. Stephens demanding an imme-
date and public retraction of the threat. In
reply, Mr.. Stephens wrote that the threat of
slappng the the Judges face had been made
contingent upon the truth of reports regard
ing which he Mr.. Gomez had pronounced to
be untrue, and that such being the case, there
could be no cnuse for offense or angry feeling
on either side Unfortunately this letter
was never received by Judge Gone. Three or
four days after it was written, however, he
met Mr.. Stephens on the piazza of a hotel in
Atlanta, and, disregardins that Gentieman's
friendly greeting, said in very offensive
tone:
''AIr Stephens, demand that you make an
immediate reuaction of your threats regard
ing me-"
sick and weak though he was Alexander
II. Stephens could allow no one TO speak to
him in the fashion described Judge Cone
was n very giant in size and muscular develop
ment vet the frail man whom he addressed
with aggravating polteness and without
hesitating moment, replied: Pardon me,
sir, have already written you on that sub
ject must decline to discuss it further"
Am to take this as your auswer?' asked
Cone, excitedly.
1T is the only answerI have to give you,"
was the calm reply.
Then | denounce YOU as a miserable little
traitor" cried Cone, mad with excitement.
The last words had hardly left his lips when
a light cane welded by the quick hand of the
man be had insulted left its red scar across
his cheek.
Wild with pain and passion, without utter
ing a word he drew akeen-pointed dirk-knife
and made one furious thrust at his weak lit
tie adversary's heart Instantly as he did so.
however Stephens, Selling a stout umbrella
which he held in his left hand, interposed it
as 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 Ste
phens cutting a 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 determined TO finish his
work. He threw all his great weight against
the umbrella which held him away from the
man he intended to kill. 1t broke; Stephens
half fainting, fell upon his back. The giant
Cone was at his throat in moment; his
head. by grip OF iron. was held against the
cruel floor; the keen and blood-dripping knife
was held aloft before him ready for the last
fatal thrust, but still the poor pale face of
the little hero was set and defant-his black
eyes still flashed undauntedly.
"Retract, or I'll cut your cursed throat"
Kissed Cone
Gut! I'll never retractl' gasped the al
most lifeless Stephens.
Like a flash the knife came down With
an almost superhuman effort the PROSTATE
man caught it in his right hand. 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 it free. With grasp almost
of death the horribly mangled and mutiated
hand still held it fast. In the struggle Ste
phens was once more dragged 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 men came
10 his relief. The mailman Cone was secured
and held fast
Then quickly the wounds which Mr. Ste
phens had received were examined. 1t was
found that one of them had penetrated to
HTlfl cf foo nj an mo f1f lafG haa
An intercostal artery had been cut The
doctors declared that he would surely die
Happily their predictions were not verified
His life was saved by the unremtting care OF