The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-06-13
Mobile, April %, 1902.
STATEMENT OF MR.. BROOKS.


on the 9th and 10th of May, Mr..
Sumner of Massachusetts delivered a
speech in which be reflected injurl-
ously upon the State of South Caro-
lima and was particularly offensive
to Senator Butler, who is my rela-
tive. 1 preferred to see the pub
llshed speech and saw it for the first
time on Wednesday morning.
The Objectionable passages are to
be found on the 9th, 29th and Both
pages of Mr.. Summers speech, which
have marked with a pen and are
as follows: But before entering
upon the argument, &c.
AS soon as I had read the speech
l felt it my duty to infict some re-
turn for the insult to my State and
relative. On Wednesday | took a
seat in the capitol grounds expecting
MIR. Sumner to pass. While gong
down the lower steps of the capitol
| met Mr.. Edmundson of Virginia,
who is my personal friend, and asked
him TO walk with me to the seat. |
then informed him that it was my
purpose to see Mr.. Sumner and that
as he might be accompanied by sew
eral of his friends I desired him to
remain with me as witness and for
nothing else. I also enjoined upon
him on no account to intefere. Mr..
Sumner did not pass by while we
were so seated though we remained
until half past II o'clock. My col.
league, Mr.. Keitt, joined US few
moments before we returned to the
house and so did Senator johnson of
Arkansas. Neither one of them
were informed of my purpose during
the dau,~ During the night of Wednes
day 'and about 10 o'clock | informed
my colleague, Mr.. Keitt, and Mr..
Orr of my purpose. The next morn.
ing at II o'clock I took my position
in the porter's lodge to incercept Mr..
Sumner. l again waited until half
past II o'clock-the hour at which
both houses of congress meet. While
in the porter's lodge Mr.. Edmundson
on his way to the capitol saw me and
came IN of his own accord. He and
I went to the house together. Mr..
Keitt went that morning to Balti
more.
Being twice disappointed, l de
termined to keep my eye on Mr..
Sumner, and knowing that the SEN
ate would adjourn at an early hour,
went to the senate and stood with
out the bar until it did adjourn. Mr..
Sumner continued within the hall
though he did not all the time re-
tain his seat. He had upon his desk
a number of copies of his speech and
was, when not interrupted, employed
in franking them. Several ladies
continued in the hall, some on the
floor and some in the gallery.
I waited until the last lady left
and then approached Mr.. Sumner in
front and said: "Mr. Sumner | have
read your last speech with care and
as much impartiality as is possible
under the circumstances, and | feel
it my duty to say that you have
libeled my State and slandered my
kinsman who is aged and absent,
and | have come to punish you for
it," As I uttered the word punish
Mr.. Sumner offered to rise, and
when about half erect | struck him a
SLIGHT blow with the smaller end OF
INV cane. He then arose fully erect
and endeavored to make battle.
was then compelled to strike him
harder than intended. About the fifth
blow he ceased to resist and | moder
ated by blows. continued to strike
Mr.. Sumner until be fell, when
ceased. did not strike Mr. Sum
ner after be had fallen The caue
used by me was an ordinary walk
ing stick made of gutta percha ane
! hollow, | used it because it was light