The Dawson journal., 1883-03-29
VOL. 18ANO. 5.

of course, knew this, md, very much
heated and annoyed by the comments
which were being made upon him
wrote to Mr.. Stephens demanding al
immediate and public retlaction o
the threat. In reply, Mr.. Stephens
wrote that the threat of slapping the
Judges face had been made contin
gent upon the truth of reports re
garding which he (Mr. Gomez hal
pronounced to be untrue, and that
such being the case, there could be
no cause for offense or angry feeling
on either side. Unfortunately, this
letter was never received by Judge
Cone. Three or four days after il
was written, however, he met Mr.
Stephens on the piazza of hotel in
Atlanta, and disregarding that gen
tleinan's friendly greeting. said in a
very offensive tone.
''Mr Stephens, 1 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 i'll the fashion
described. Judge Cone was very
giant in size and muscular develop
ment, yet the frail man whom he ad
dressed. with aggravating politeness
and without hesitating a moment,
replied: pardon me, sir, / have al
ready written Won on that subject
l must decline 10 discuss it further. 7"
Gam | to take this your answer 2"
asked Gene, excitedly.
''It is the only answer 1 have to
give you,' was the calm reply.
"Then I denounce you as miSer-
able little traitor" cried Gone, mad
with excitement. The last words
had hardly left his lips when light
cane welded by the quick hand Of
the man he had insulted left its rel
scar across his cheek.
Wild with pain an passion, with
out uttering word he drew keen
pointed dirk knife and made one tL-
rio is thrust at his weak little adver-
ga Us heart. Instantly as he did 50,
however, Stephens, seizing stout
umbrella which ne 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
o its mark. Once more it was thrust
at Stephens, cutting a deep cash in
his arm, but reaching no vital point.
Eighteen times it cut deep into his
breas-, arms and body, but still he
did not f,.ll Thsl hs could hold
out no longer. No courage, no spirit,
however firm aud 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 had determined TO
kill. 1t broke Stephens, half faint
ing, 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
he little hero was set aud defiant
his black eyes still flashed undaunt-
edly.
"Retract, or I'll cut your carsed
hroatl" Kissed Cone.
"Cut, I'll never retracl ~ gasped
the almost lifeless Stephens.
Like flash the knife came down.
With an almost superluman effort
the prostrate man caught it in his
right hand. Clean through the mus
cles, tendons, and bones of the hand
it cut, then stuck fast and reached
no vital part. With desperate
strength Cone tried To wrench II free
With grasp almost of death the
horribly mangled aud mutilatec
hand still held it fast. In the strug
gle Stephens was once more dragged
to bis feet the blood was rushing il
streams from his many wounds hi
hold upon the knife which sought hi
brave heart began to relax he wa
dying. But even when he believe,
the next moment would be his last
strong men came to his relief. Th
mailman Cone was secured and he'll
asst.
Then quickly the wounds whic
Mr.. Stephens had received were e1
amined 1t was found that one {
them had penetrated to Within 81,
taenth of nm inch of the heart 4