The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-12-29
STATEMENT OF -NR. BROOKS.
In Regard to the Gaming OF the Hon.
Charles Summer in 1856.

speech in which he reflected injurious
ly upon the State Of South Carolina,
and was particularly offensive to Sen
ator Butler, who is my relative. pre-
ferred to see the published speech, and
saw it for the first time on Wednes-
day morning.
The Objectionable passages are to be
found On the fifth, twenty-ninth and
thirtieth pages of Mr.. Summers
speech, which I have marked with a
pen, and are as follows: But before
entering upon the argument, &c.
AS soon as I had read the speech I
felt it my duty to infict some return
for the insult to my State and relative.
On Wednesday 7 took a seat in the
capitol grounds expecting Mr.. Sum-
ner to pass. While going down the
lower steps Of the capitol met MIR.
Edmundson, Of Virginia, who is my
personal friend, and asked him to
walk with me to the seat. then in
formed him that it was my purpose to
see Mr.. Sumner and that as he might
he accompanied by several of his
friends, I desired him to remain with
me as a witness and for nothing else.
I also enjoined upon him on no ac-
count to interfere. Mr.. Sumner did
not pass by while we were SO seated,
though We remained until half-past II
o'clock. My colleague, Mr.. Keitt,
ioined us few moments before we re-
turned to the house, and so did Sena-
tor Johnson, Of Arkansas. Neither one
of them were informed of my purpose
during that day. During the night OF
Wednesday, and about 10 o'clock, in
formed my colleague, Mr.. Keitt, and
Mr.. Orr, Of my purpose. The next
morning at II o'clock I took my posi-
ton in the Porter's Lodge to intercept
Mr.. Sumner. T again waited until half
past IL 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
T went to the house together. Mr.
Keitt went that morning to Baltimore
Being twice disappointed, deter
mined to keep my eye on Mr.: Sumner,
and knowing that the senate would
adjourn at an early hour, went to
the senate and stood without the bar
until it did adjourn. Mr.. Sumner con-
tinued within the hall, though he did
not all the time retain his seat He
had upon his desk a large number OF
speecl es, and was, when not inter
rupted, employed in franking with
them. Several ladies continued in the
hall, some on the floor and some in
the gallery.
waited until the last lady left, and
then approached Mr.. Sumner in front
and said: ''Mr. Summer, have read
your last speech with care and as
much impartfality as is possible under
the circumstances, and I feel 1t my
duty to say that you have libeled my
State and slandered my kinsman, who
is aged and absent and I have come
to punish you for it, And I uttered
the word punish Mr.. Sumner offered
to rise, and when about half erect I
struck him slight blow with the
smaller end of my cane. He then
arose fully erect and endeavored to
make battle; 1 was then compelled to
strike him harder than had intended.
About the fifth blow he ceased to re-
sist and I moderated my blows. I
continued to strike Mr.. Sumner until
he fell, when ceased. I did not strike
Mr. Sumner 2IEGr lie Hdu id1lSu. l. Ac
cane used by me was an ordinary
walking stick, made Of gutta percha
and hollow. I used it because it was
light and elastic, and because fan
cied it would not break.
The cane had been presented to me
by a friend full three months past.
It had thin gold head and was not
loaded or even heavy. Mr.. Sumner
was never struck with the larger end
of the cane. When Mr.. Crittenden took
hold of me, and said something like
'don't kill him." I replied that I had
no wish to injure him severely, but
only to fog him.
I went to the senate alone, asked
no one to go or to be with me. In
deed, no one knew of my purpose to
assail Mr.. Sumner in the senate, nor
would I have done so had it not be-