Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-28
WHAT HURT HANNA.
The JOKE Played on Bayiess W. Hanna by
Governor Willard and senator Voorhees,.

The JOKE Played on Bayiess W. Hanna by
Governor Willard and senator Voorhees,.
Washington Republican,
For years it has been known that there
was bad blood between Dan. VOORHEES, and
Bayless W. Hanna, but the cause OF it has
always been misunderstood. A great
many persons have ascribed II 10 political
jealousy. while another class have been
equally certain that IL came from each en-
wing the good looks or oratOrcal powers
OF the other. But all Of these cOuiectures
are wide Of the mark, and the Times feels
bound TO give TO the world this lOng-con-
cealed secret.
When John Brown raided liarpcr's Ferry
Dan. VOORHEES, and BayleSs Hanna were
law partners. aud Ashbel i. willard was
Governor OF Indiana. They were all Demo-
Gratis and friends. Governor Wizards bro.
tber-in-law, boy Of twenty, named Cook,
was one Of Browns raiders, and was cap
tured by the State Of virginia. The Cover
nor was notified OF the capture OF Cook,
and determined TO make respectable legal
defence for him. He employed VOORHEES, Il
Hanna, who were 10 proceed a: once 10
Charleston. Va. Voorhees,. being at Indi-
annapolis, started east with Willard on the
first train, and Hanna was telegraphed
10 follow. The Governor and VOORHEES,
reached llarper's Ferry, and at once
mounted the stage for Cha rleSton. A few
hours later the train bearing Colonel Hanna
arrived. but too late for The Stage, and the
great orator found that he would have some
three hours to wait. Now, Bayiess is al
WAYS Democrat, and. though he was en-
ployed TO defend an AboliliOnist, he was
ready to gather in material for his speeches
| in the next campaign in fact, he was de-
termined TO make some striking features
! out of the very case be was engaged in. So
! he started out and soon succeeded in pur-
I chasing one of the desperate pixies which
! the Brown party had carried; and then he
scooped in copy Of "Helper's Impending
| Crisis" work only to be found IN the
bands OF anii-sayery people.
Shortly after the stage came In, and Colo
mel Hanna went up 10 90 out TO Charles
ton. BY this time Suspicion had pointed
| TO the stragotic Democrat a. member OF
the Brown party, and the officials finally
decided TO call him TO account. He was
yeiy gracious, and informed the gentlemen
who he was; but the long HAIR, the pike,
and the book seemed 10 contradict the
statement.
After consultation between the otllcills
Mr.. Hanna was informed that he would
have TO 20 to Charleston under arrest. and
il Mr.. VOORHEES, and Governor willard
identified Kim it would be all right. With
smiles Mr.. Hanna told them 1t would be
all right. and that he would willingly ac-
cept the conditions.
when the stage reached Charleston Mr..
Hanna learned that VOORHEES, and Willard
had gone 10 the country 10 dine with Hon.
Charles j. Faulkner. The officers refused
TO go ont III the country. but finally allowed
Mr. Hanna 10 hire man TO take 4 mole out
10 his friends. When the messenger pre-
senicd the note. II at once occurred to
VOORHEES, 10 play joke on Hanna, so he
wrote on the back Of it that he did not
know any such person as Bayless W..
IIannq, and eXpreS Sed surprise that the
note had been sent TO him. The mes
senger returned. and the indignant OFF,
GERS. feeling that they had been triled
with. at once locked Colonel Hanna up
with the Brown party. About . O'clock
the next morning VOORHEES, and Willard
returned to town and were horriied TO
learn that Hanna was Ia jail, bu, they DE-.
teTmined TO carry out the joke and went
over to the Jail. As they approached the
jail-door Baylcss greeted taem with pitt.
Iiil appeal: "Say, boys. Id IL, this
Joke has gone too far already: get me out
Of here Both Willard and VOORHEES, look
ed astonisbed, and declared that they hsd
never land eyes on Bsyless before, and re-
turned u their hotel. Bay less set up an un-
earthly howl. ana showcrcd all sorts OF
maledictions upon the devoted heads Of
Willard and VOORHEES, Until the inmites
took refuge in their cells, deelarln: that
Hanna was a madman The uproir al
tracted the sheriff and aroused all the
people in the immeditte neighborho lt.
unfit Willard and VOORHEES, concluded they
had all the fun they desired, and sent for
The sheriff, explained the matter, and Bay
less was released. VOORHEES, tried /, ex-
plain the joke. but the eursing that Hanna
gave him Is said 10 be- still ecboing through
the Virginia hills. From that time 10 the
present that night IN a Virginia Jail has
iankl'd in the bosom Of Bayless lima. and
has kept alive the ilre OF his hat fer the
Tall Sycamore.