The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1883-05-17
ALECK STEPHENS.
Judge Cones Desperate Attempt to
Kill Him.

Judge Cone, who was at on,
time one of the leading politicians
of Georgia, was particularly severe
, in his comments upon Mr.. Stephen''
, 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 re-
ports were conveyed to him.
At first he did not credit them
but as one friend after another in
formed 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
pugnacity in his nature, which are
always smouldering, Kissed up, and
he declared that if 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 at
tended wing gathering, and going
up to him quietly said:
Judge Cone, 1 have been told
that you for reasons of your own
have denounced me as a traitor to
the south, and 1 take this oppor-
tunity of asking you if such reports
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 con
tinued: "Of couse, 1 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 misrepresen-
tation of others, L think it right to
tell you 1 have said [ would slap
your face if you admitted having
used the language attributed to
you"
Upon this the judge again dis
owned having spoken disrespectful-
ly of Mr.. Stephens, and so for the
time the affair was ended. 1t was
the subject for discussion 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 community no public
man resting under such a charge
could hope either for political pref
erence or popular respect. Cone,
of course, knew this, and very much
heated and annoyed by the com
ments which were being made upon
him, wrote to Mr.. Stephens de
handing an immediate and public
retraction of the threat.
In reply, Mr.. Stephens wrote
that the threat of slappling the
Judges face had been made cOntin
gent upon the truth Of reports re
oarding which he (Mr. Gomez had
pronounced untrue, and that such
being the case there could be no
cause for offense or angry feeling on
either side. Unfortunately this let
ter was never received by Judge
Cone. Three or four days after it
was written, however, he met Mr..
Stephens on the piazza of hotel
in Atlanta, and disregarding that
gentleman's friendly greeting, said,
in 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 Stephens could allow no
one to speak to HIM in the fashion
described. Judge Cone was very
giant in size and muscular develop
ment, yet the frail man whom he
addressed, with aggravating po-
likeness, and without hesitatiug d
moment, replied:
Pardon me, sir, 1 have already
written you on that subject; L must
decline to discuss it further"
cam l to take this as your an
swer?7 asked Cone, excitedly.
cit is the only answer l have to
give you," was the calm reply.
"Then 1 denounce you as mis-
cradle little traitor" cried Cone,
mad with excitement.
The last word had hardly left his
lips when a light cane, welded by
the quick hand of the man he had
insulted left its red mark across his
cheek.
Wild with pain and passio NJ
without uttering a word, he drew a
keen-pointed dirk knife and made a
thrust at his little adversary's heart.
Instantly as he did so, however,
Stephens, Selling stout umbrella
which he held in his left hand, in
terposed it as a defense, and was
able for a moment to hold him at
arms length. The knife fell short
of 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 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 at
tack. Cone was determined to fin
ish his work. He threw all his
great weight against the umbrella;
It broke, and 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 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-hls black eyes
still flashed undauntedly.
"Retract, or I'll cut your ID
throatI' Kissed Cone.
Gut! I'll never retract" gasped
, the almost hfeless Stephens.
Like a flash the knife came down
With an almost superhuman effort
the PROSTATE man caught it in his
tight hand. Clean through the