The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-05
JUDGE RHEA IS
NOT AFRAID.
Makes Caustic Reply to Gen.
Charles Thurman's Gard
AGAINST Him.
fsnec,al 10 Tho Times-Dispatch.)

BRISTOL. VA. August 4.-As the result
Of the sensational attack made upon ex
Congressman Rhea, of the Ninth virginia
District, by General Charles Thurman. or
Berryville, In connection With the pend
ing suit OF Mrs. Thurman for divorce the
ex-Congressman has replied as folloWs,
his reply having been addressed to the
clarke Courier of Berryvile, in which his
interview in connection with tho Thur
man divorce case was recently published:
Bristol, Va, August !, 1903.
Editor Clarke Courier: <,>
have seen and read the Generals %
otherwise known as big Coy Naught IN
Berryville) remarkable man1fes1o, ana l
would take no notice Of 1t, but think
~ duo him that he should publicly have
certain information. He complains bit
terly that had grievously insulted him
and then 'sneaked away at midnight.
before no had time to get satisfaction Tor
his insult. Your paper was published at
10 o'clock noon, on wednesday, July 18Th,
md I remained in Berryville until the
train left at 8 o'clock the next morning
for Bristol, so he had nearly t"entv-lour
hours to get satisfaction for my terrible
insult.
But I am charitable enough to excuse
him FOR this delay upon the ground that
Ito aid not come to the conclusion that ne
had been ins1llted, and that his b!ood-
thirsty anger did not arise until after
left there.
It is a long ride and am very. busy
now, but still would return immealatelS
IL I did not feel assured that ms an 1s'a
" ould keep, certainly for month or Two
during which time I expect to be IN VIM
chester TO argue a motion In the case IN
1vh,ch he is defendant and of which ne
will have due and proper notice, and l
will be delighted on this occasion to give
him the opportunity of seeing me, nut
would prefer that he would not wait again
for nearly twenty-four hours TO 40 So as
II might be very inconvenient for me to
he detained II he cannot walt, would
be glad to see him in Bristol, and know
that Mrs. Thurman's friends would give
him a very warm reception. II 1t IS not
convenient for him to be at either Win
chester or Bristol, will say to him that
later on I expect to be In BerryVllle, per-
hans on several occasions and on any
one OF which he will have ample oppor-
tunity to see me. but trust he VIII try
and make up his mind earlier than he
did on the last trip, and at all events
before I am gone. On each occasion
have been In Berryville tried very marc
IN see him, and although each tlme l
requested that ! might be given the ex-
ouisite pleasure to look upon him, yet II
was denied mo. -,
have always though.' ana no" ms
vulgar TRADE conyinces me, that Drs,
Blaclsford and Walker made great mis-
take that they did not place MIN IN the
cell where he could SEQ tho light OF
heaven only through iron bars, and had
sent his lovely wife back to the nome
which had been adorned and beautheo
with her money and by her ceaseless care
and toll. I trust It may nevcr be so, DIV
q would not be n strange piece OF poetic
Justice il his conduct and his conscience
drove him to that condition that some da,
no would be carried up the beautiful Val
lev OF Virginia in the direction OF staun
| ton. but not the happ!est drive OF his Ire
as no promised Mrs. Thurman hers woult
be when they left their beautiful nome OF
| that fateful morning,
Very respectfully,
| fs,oned, WAI. II. RHEA.