Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-08
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUNERAL,

close of the meeting, which will be at 2
o'clock, the procession will start to the
cemetery.
The death of Governor Stephens revives
the thrilling story of his encounter with
Judge Cone, which came so near costing
him his life.
During Mr.. Stephens Congressional SER
vice, ard pending the campaign of 1913,
he returned from Washington to Georgia.
He was fresh from the great debates on the
acquisition of California aud New Mexico
as U. s. Territories, and for having taken,
against the wishes of 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 lead
ing politicians OF Georgia, was particularly
severe in his comments upon Mr.. Stephens
action, and was reported as having public
ly 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 kind friend after another
informed him that Cone had called him
traitor and advised, in the true Southern
spirit, that he owed 1t to himself to de-
nand what is called satisfaction" The
fires of pugnacity in his nature which were
always smoldering, hissed up, and he de-
clared that if Judge Cone would admit hav-
ing called him traitor to the South he
woull
"Slap His Face"
Not long after this he met the Judge at
numerously attended Whig gathering, and
going up to him quietly said:
Judge Cone, / have been told that you,
fer reasons of your own, have denounced
me as traitor to the South, and take this
opportunity of asking you if such reports
are true"
mo, 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 misunderstanding
through the Misrepresentation OF Others, l
think it right to tell you that | have
said would slap your face if you admit
ted 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. 1t was the subject Of discussion all
over the State, however, and the general
verdict was that Judge Cone, a very pow
erful man, by the way, had shown the
white feather to Little Aleck Stephen s."
In such community no public man rest
ing under such charge could hope either
for political preferment or popular re-
spect. Cone, of course, knew this, and
very much
Heated and Annoyed
by the comments which were being made
upon him, wrote to Mr.. Stephens, demand.
ing an immediate and public retractiOn Of
the threat. In reply, Mr.. Stephens wrote
that the threat of slapping the Judge face
had been made contingent upon the truth
of reports regarding which he (Mr. Gomez
had 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 it was written, however, he
met Mr.. Stevens on the piazza OF hotel in
Atlanta, and disregarding that gentleman's $
friendly greeting, said in very offensive
tone:
"Mr. Stephens, demand that you make
an immediate retraction Of your threats re-
garding me-"
though he was, Alexander H. Stephens
could allow no one to speak in the fash.
ion described, Judge Cone was giant in
size and muscular development, yet the
frail man whom he addressed, with aggra.
waiting pollteness, and without hesitating
moment, replied: Pardon me, sir, | have
already written you on that subject; |
must decline to discuss it further"
Am to take this as your answer
asked Cone, excitedly.
1T is the only answer / have to give
you," was the calm reply.
Then I denounce you as miserable
little traitor" cried Cone, mad with excite
ment. The last words had hardly left his
lips when light cane welded by the quick
hand OF the man he had insultcd left its red
scar across his cheek.
Wild with pain and passion, without
uttering a word, he drew keen.pointed
dirk knife and made one furious thrust at
his weak little adversary's heart. Instantly
stout umbrella which he held in his left
hand, interposed it as defense, and was
able for moment to hold him at arms
length.
short OF its mark. Once more 1t was thrust
at Stephens, cutting 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 not fall. Then he could
hold out no longer. No courage. no
spirit, however firm and unyielding,
could for long Withstand such
an attack. Cone was determined to finish
his work. He threw all his great weight
against the umbrella which held MIN away
from the man he intended TO kill. ltbroke;
Stephens, half fainting, fell upon his back.
The giant Cone was at his throat in mo.
ment; his, head. by q grip ofiron, was held
against the cruel floor. the keen and blood
dTippipg 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 un'
danntedly,
"Retract, or I'll cut your cursed throat
hisse6 Cone. :,
Cut! I'll never retract!" gssped the al
most lifeless Stephens.
Like a iash 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
of the hand it cut, then stuck last ant
reached no vital part. With desperate
strent th Cone tried to wrench it free
With q grasp almost Of death the horribly
mangled and mutilated hand still held i
fast. In the struggle Stephens was ono
more dragged on his feet; the
Bleed Was Ru,hing
in streams from his many wounds; hi
hold upon the knife which sought hi
brave heart began 10 relax; he was dying
But even when he believed the next mo
ment would be his last, strong men cam
to his relief. The mad man Gone was 81
cured and held fast.
Then quickly the wounds which Ml
Stephens had received were examined. j
was found that one Of them hsd PEN
trated to within sixteenth of an inch
his heart. An intercostal artery had bee
cut. TIE doctors declared that he woul
surely die. Happily their predictions wer
not verified. His life was saved bY To
unremittibg care Of Q surgeon, his devole