The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1883-04-14
ALECk STEPHENS.


debates on the acquisition of Califor-
mia and New Mexiso as United States
Territories, and for having taken,
against the wishes of the majority OF
the Southern members, a most prom
nent part in opposition to such
acquisition, he was met with much
adverse criticism. Judge Cone, who
was at the time leading politi-
clan of Georgia, was particularly
severe in his comments upon Mr.,
Stephens action, and was reported
as having publicly denounced him as
n traitor to the South.
Hardly had Mr., Stephens reached
his home when these and similar re-
ports 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 trait
or, and advised in the true Southern
spirit, that he owed it to himself to
demand what is called satisfaction, ~
the fires of pugnacity in his nature,
which were always smoldering, Missed
up, and he declared that il Judge
Cone would admit having called him
a traitor to the South he would slap
his face" Not long after this he met
the Judge at numerously attended
Wing gathering, and going mp to him
quietly said
Judge Cone, have been :old that
you, for reasons of your own, have
denounced me as traitor to the
South, and l take this opportunity of
asking you if such reports are true?'
No, sir" was Cones reply, '"they
are not true?"
Il 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 Gone,
but in order that we may have no
further misunderstanding, through
the Misrepresentation of others,I
think it right to tell you that l have
said l 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 so for the time the
affair ended. twas 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 Little Aleck Stephens" In such
community no public man resting
under such = charge could hope either
for political preferment OF popular
respect. Gone, of course, knew this,
and very much heated and annoyed
by the comments which were being
made upon him, wrote TO Mr.. Steph-
ems demanding an immediate and
public retraction Of the threat. In
reply, Mr.. Stephens wrote that the
threat of slapping the Judges face
had been inside contingent upon the
truth OF reports regarding which he
(NIr. Gomez had pronounced to be
untrue, and that such being the case
there WIS no cause for olfenso or an
cry feeling on either side, Untor-
tunately, this letter wasnever received
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, disregarding that
gentleman's friendly greeting, said in
a very offensive tone:
"Mr. Stephens, demand that you
make an immediate retraction of your
threats regarding me"
Sick and weak though he was, Alex
ander IL. Stephens could allow no
one to speak 10 him in the fashion
described. Judge Cone was a
very giant in size and muscular de-
velopment, yet the frMl man whom
he addressed with aggravating polite
ness and without hesitating, replied
Pardon me, sir; have already writ
ten to you on that subject. | must
decline to discuss it further. "
Ami to take this as youranswer?"
asked Cone, excitedly.
1T is the only answer have to give
YOU, was the calm reply.
Then donomco you us mison-
bic little traitor" cried Cone, mad
with excitement. The words had
hardly left his lips when light cane,
welded by the quick hand OF the man
he had insulted, LETT its red scar
across his cheek.
Wild with pain and passion, with
ont Ettering word, lie drew dirk
knife and made ono furious thrust at
his weak little adversarys heart. In
stanty rs he did so, however, Steph-
ems seized stout umbrella which he
held in his left hand, inteposcd it ms
a defense and was able for a moment
to hold him at arms length. The
knife fell short OF lis mark. Once more
it was thrust ut Stephens, cutting a
deep cash in his arm, but reaching
no Vital point; eighteen times Il cut
deer into his breast, aims and body,
but still he did not tall. Then he
could hold out no longer. No com-
D