The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-02
AN EX-REBEL REBUKED.
Congressman Henderson Choked for GIori-
ing in Union Soldiers Sufferings.

IONA, Mich, Jan. ALLAN B. Morse, Asso-
ciate Justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan,
has just returned to his home in this city from
Washington where he was given reception by
an old comrade in arms, now a member of the
House of Representatives. A brief note of this
reception appeared in the telegraphic dispatches
at the time, but the fact that anything unusual
had occurred was not made known until to-day.
Judge Morse, in narratine the affair to an inti-
mate friend, enioined secrecy, because. as the
Judge saya, the episode was finally smoothsd
over, and publicity would only tend to excite
further feeling. The story told by Judge Morse
is considered SO interesting that the friend to
whom it was originally related told it
other FRIEND and it did not take long for all the
facts to leak out.
There present at the reception in Wash
ington besides Judge Morse, Congressman Hem
de-son, of North Carolina and John B. Tarsney.
of st. Louis. Mr.. Tarsney is brother of
Thomas e. Tarsney. the Democratic Congress-
man from the Eighth district of Michigan, but
is himself Republican. Judge Morse is
Democrat. but has gallant record as a soldier
IN the Union army, aud was wounded in the
service. Congressman Henderson is fiery
Southern Democrat. After the cloth had been
cleared and the wine had flowed freely for some
time speech making was in order, and many
patriotic sentiments were expressed by members
of the party.
Congressman Henderson thsn arose to a call.
and gave utterance to expressions which caused
members of the company. Mr.. Henderson, Judge
Morse says, told the guests that he gloried in
the fact that he had been rebel, as all those
were called who had fought for Southern free
dom. From this ne went on until he bad worked
himself up to state OF great excitement and
finally said:
I am glad to say represent district-the
district of Salisbury-where So 900 Union soldiers
rotted within the city limits"
He went to say he Rloried in the part he
took during the war, and was proceeding further
when DIR. Tarsney made rush for the speaker,
and clutehed him by the throat.
You scoundrel" shouted Tarsney, II a
Union soldier. and, if else here will re-
sent your insults. 1 will. 1 bet you a
skulxine coward during the war, but now when
danger is past. you vaunt your courage at our
expense Take back what you said about the
Union soldiers murdered in your prison pen or
I'll choke the life out of you"
The guests interfe:red and separated the two
men. Tarsney had good grip on Henderson's
throat. and the latter sank to the floor halt in
sensible. Later he apologized to the party,
and through the efforts of mutual friends the
sensational outbreak was quieted Judge Morse
told his friend that he thought b1oodshed would
surely follow for few minutes after Henderson
had spoken.
Henderson's reference was to the prison pen
at Salisbury, where thousands of Union soldiers
captured by the confederates were confined, and
where they suffered horrible crueities until
they were released by the march of Sherman's
army mp the coast in April. 1865 The Sails
hurry prison was nearly as infamous as those
of Andersonville, Belle Island, aud the Libby
JAIL