Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-12-11
FORREST AND A BULLY.
How the General Saved Himself
From Humiliation.

How the General Saved Himself
From Humiliation.
In the summer of 1868 the Tennessee
delegates to the national Democratic
convention which nominated Mr.. Sey-
mour for the presidency, met at Nash
vile and proceeded north in a body.
General Forrest was a delegate from
Memphis, and it was the first time he
had gone north since the war.
Sectional feelings were intense at
that period, but no one Of the party felt
any concern for the safety Of even
General Forrest.
The war had ended and there was no
occasion for alarm. Reaching Louis
vile, the Kentucky delegates Joined
the Tennesseeans, one Of whom was
General Basil Duke. General Duke
had not met General Forrest before,
but after making his acquaintance the
two sat opposite in the sleeper chat
ting pleasantly over the events of the
past.
While in Louisville General Forrest
telegraphed the ticket agent at Cincin-
nati asking him to reserve a section
for his use in the New York sleeper.
The operator, like everyone else at that
time, was familiar with the fame Of
Forrest, and gladly shared with his
friends at other stations the news
which would afford them an opportu-
nifty Of seeing the great cavalryman.
At one of these stations there lived a
man who had been for sometime ter
ror to his neighbors. He was known to
have killed several men, and everybody
at his home gave him the right Of way.
He was a man Of Herculean build
and wore a scowling expression. He
preferred war to peace. and sought ev-
cry opportunity to pick a quarrel.
This desperate fellow happened to hear
that Forrest would pass on the train
and went from place to place telling
those he met that he intended to take
the damned rebel from the train and
drag him through the street. Fully
1000 people collected at the little de-
pot to see him do it.
The big ruffiian grew more furious
as the crowd was augmented, and the
operator who gave out the news DEEM
ed 1t wise to notify General Forrest
and suggest that he remain where he
was and await the night train. The
conductor on a southbound train was
told to state the facts to the conductor
on the train bearing the delegates, and
say that a great mob had already as
sembled to witness the humiliation the
bully proposed to inf1ict, and to urge
General Forrest to turn back. These
facts were communicated to General
Duke, who felt much delicacy in rela-
ting the story to Forrest, but deemed it
his duty and, therefore, explained the
situation to him.
The train was near the station, and
whatever was decided on must be done
quickly. The conductor accompanied
General Duke and urged General For.
rest to get off; that he knew the man
to be very desperate.
General Duke simply stated what he
had been told and said: General For
rest we will stand by you" Forrest
thanked him; but said: 1.-THE man does
not know me, therefore, he cannot have
any quarrel with me. It Is all talk,
and I am going to remain In this car
The train slowed down for the sta
ton and the crowd surrounded the
platform. No one could tell what the
next few minutes would bring forward
AS soon as the train had stopped the
big bully burst open the door and
smashed the glass in the upper part Of
1t as a herald of his approach.
He strutted down the aisle, calling
for the damned rebel to stand up. Gen.
eral Forrest was eating an apple, and
the only person in the car without evi-
dences of excitement. The bad man
finally sized him up and made toward
him, cursing and charging.
General Forrest quick as a flash.
grasped him by the throat and had
thrown him headlong from the platform
of the car to the ground. The general
made the air blue for an instant, and
when the bully regained his feet he
was on a dead run. Forrest quickly
realized the righteousness Of the affair
and burst into a laugh.
The train soon pulled out, and the
crowd which had assembled to see the
damn rebel dragged through the street,
was waving hats and handkerchiefs
and giving cheers for Forrest.-New
Orleans Picayune.