The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-01

Col. d. Worthingtou. of Wilson. was
visitor at the capitol yesterday. He. is
veteran legislator, having been a
member of the House in 1881 and 1883.
the latter time being speaker pro tenn.
He was again here in 1885 when he was
chairman Of the judiciary committee.
but resigned on being appointed solic-
itor for the Third judicial district.
Talking of the Confederates he gave an
interesting bit of his experience
with Gen. b. II. Butler, known famil-
iarly as Beast" Butler In August 1854
Worthington. then aiiad of Il. was in
command of a number of scouts. among
them his brother, operating between
the James and Chckahominy Rivers.
His force, twelve all told. were attack
ed by Wildes negro brigade, and every
man killed except Worthington, who.
though shot at so repeatedly as to have
his clothing all riddled, escaped death.
He was collared and dragged off by the
negroes and confined in the prison at
Old Point being shackled and guarded
by negroes. Later on he was sent for
by Beast" Butler, whose Headquarters
We're at Bermuda Hundreds. The trip
by water was made on Buffers dispatch
boat, the Greyhound" and on this
boat also went Mrs. Butler. When
young Worthington was taken by his
negro guard before Butler he was offer
ed the choice of either taking the oath
of allegiance and then going north or
being shot. The gallant lad in gray de-
clined to take the oath. saying: IL went
to prison as Confederate soldier. and
living or dead / will come out as one. -
Orders were given for him to be shot.
and but for the personal appeal of Mrs.
Butler who had learned Of Worthing-
ton while she was on the Greyhound. =
the sentence would have been carried
into execution. AS ii was he was held
as hostage till the war closed. AS he
finished this personal Renaissance. the
colonel. With Il laugh ana chuckle, said:
Il really believe that | was the only
Confederate whom the Beast" con
demned to be shot.
Representative White of Halifax, re-
turned yesterday from a visit to his
home at Hobgood and TO Greenville
where he went to attend the marriage of
his wifc's sister, Miss Flossie Humber
to Mr.. Harry Wcdmore, of New Haven
~O'h'' WIN NU0 SOlCIUulHSu Ahui SldN
morning.
The new Election Law. as drawn by
the sub committee is now complete and
viii today or tomorrow be reported to the
full committee. and on Monday night it
viii be submitted to the Democratic
caucus. 1t will he introduced in the House
and enacted into law as soon as the
caucus adopts it.
Senator Webb stated yesterday that he
believed this bill would save the State
considerable money.
Senator Aycock yesterday introduced a
Dill Ito pay indebtedness and provide
necessary improvements at the state
Normal and Industrial College, and 1t
was referred to the Committee on Ap-
preparations. The bill provides
Section /. That for the purpose OF pay
ing OF the Indebtedness of the state
Normal and Industrial College, caused by
the recent cpidemic of typhoid fever ana
the consequent temporary suspension OF
the college. and to provide Tor inc cree
ton e Practice and Observation schooi
building, to provide additional dorm'tory
and recitation room, better library equip-