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0 O L U M BUS.
J. K MARTIN, Editor. ~
A YEAR OR FAILURE.
Can We Ever Succeed with Cotton Alone?
Our Chattahoochee county correspon
dent makes a doleful report of the condi
tion of the cotton planters in his section,
and we doubt not that his statements as j
correctly describo the situation in the
“cotton belt” generally. The year has \
not been a profitable one to the planters,
and those of them who come out of it as
well off as when they entered it will be !
fortunate. Our correspondent attributes '
this condition of things to the exclusive
reliance upon cotton, even to the neglect j
of provisions that can easily be raised at
home. He has had practical experience
and demonstration, and knows whereof
he writes. From our standpoint, which
enables us to look over the whole field—
though of course not so closely or under
standingly as the planters themselves—we
have long since come to the same conclu
sion. We do not intend to argue the
question now, for we know that the argu
ment has been exhausted; but we wish to
call the attention of the planters to a com
parison which they will soon have the
opportunity of making, and which, we
have no doubt whatever, will verify by
actual results what has often been illus
trated by theory and argument.
The comparison to which we allude is
one that may be made between the condi
tions in which this year's farming will
leave the cotton planters of South and
of North Georgia, respectively. While
many of our South Georgia planters have,
as our correspondent states, failed to
plant sufficient com or raise their own
meat, but have devoted the most of their
labor to cotton, the farmers of upper
Georgia have first made sure of their
grain, provender and provisions, and then
bestowed their surplus labor on cotton.
We make the prediction here, that the
year’s farming operations will add greatly
to the means and independence of the
North Georgia farmers, and that so long
as they pursue the safe planting policy of
this year they will gain in wealth ond
prosperity until theirs becomes the richest
part of the State. It seems bound to
lead to this result, unless they too aban
don food crops for cotton planting, and
we do not think that they will do this for
years to come. How different such an
economy and its results will be from that
of our planters as stated by our corre
spondent and attested every year by
the heavy drafts upon the corn cribs and
smoke-houses of the West!
THE TANIC.
That thoro is a big panic at the North
about monotary matters and the solvency
of bauking concerns, is shown plainly by
our dispatches. The numerous failures
and suspensions roported, and the crowds
“in line” prossing up to the Bank doors,
in all the cities, tell but too plainly of the
popular apprehension that a bubble has
been pricked and may quickly burst. No
doubt the fight will bo over in a day or
two, and from amid the debris of insol
vent firms and broken Banks the public
will recognize the establishments still
able to stand the pressure.
What effect will the panic have on
business and the currency ? It may cur
tail credit and increase the stringency in
the money markets. The debtors of all
the insolvent or suspended institutions
will of course be called upon to make set
tlements; and those struggling to avoid
suspension will in like manner call in
their available means. Thus business
may temporarily be injuriously affected,
but the “reconstruction” of credits and
assets will place solvent establishments
on a firmer basis than before, and we may
hope that the agitated elements will settle
down the more solidly from their shal ing
up.
It is not probable that any suspension
which has yet occurred will affect busi
ness matters at the South. Our business
and financial men do not run so wildly
into speculation as the bulls and bears of
money and produce at tho North ; and as
our banks have cotton to back their oper
ations, they of course have as good a re
liance as safes full of gold and silver.
Ar regards the currency, the Govern
ment makes that a legal tender for all
debts except some due to itself, and thus
compels its acceptance. Tho law is arbi
trary, but it alone interposes a sufficient
breakwater to the rising tide. If, in a
time like this, men were allowed to de
mand specie or its equivalent, there is no
telling to what low figures the value of
the currency would fall. It is reasonable
to anticipate an advance in gold from
these suspensions and this panic, and the
advance will no doubt be graduated ac
cording to the duration of the panic.
There is one fact which the people of
the South should bear in mind, and we
regret that they have not now the facili
ties that would enable them to avail them
selves of its advantages. That fact is,
that th.y now hold, a staple production
whioh will command its vulue in sound
money Anywhero in Europe. With an
ample direct trade and established trans-
Atlantic commercial arrangements, they
could ride out this storm with safety, and
come out of it, not tho richest for a sea
son, but the most securely solvent section
of the Union. It is to be regretted that
they have not these facilities at this time,
but perhaps the financial and commercial
earthquakes now constantly shaking the
land may hurry them up m the work of
securing them.
Til ARK YOU.
We are not “given” to copying flatter
ing remarks concerning ourselves by our
exchanges, or correspondents. But inas
much as the compliment contained in
the subjoined paragraph from the Atlanta
Constitution is divided between two of
us, and its the Constitution is a paper that
“knows how it is itself” in the way of ju
dicious and enterprising journalism, we
hope that our readers will pardon the
seeming vanity that permits its appear
ance in our columns:
The Columbus Papers.—We have long
been wanting to say something about our
Columbus contemporaries, and we cannot
defer it fatther. There is no city of the
same size in the United States, we hon
estly believe, that can boast two dailies of
equal ability, beauty of arrangement,
amount of reading matter, enterprise and
spirit. The Constitution is proud of such
Georgia exchanges, and our sentiments
will doubtless be waimly approved by the
entire State press. Columbus can well
boast of her newspapers, and ought to
support them most liberally.
Our dispatches report that the Missis
sippi Democratic State Convention de
clared it inexpedient to nominate a party
candidate for Governor. We had seen it
stated, before this, that Senator Alcorn,
who is an independent Republican candi
date, publicly declared that if the Demo
crats made a nomination he would be
forced to withdraw from the contest in
favor of Ames. We can hardly believe
that he said "in favor of Ames,” after the
opinions he has expressed of that “bayo
net-foisted” demagogue. But we presume
that it was the apprehension of Alcorn’s
withdrawal that influenced many Demo
crats to oppose a party nomination.
Mrs. Jane G. Swisshelm, in a letter to
the New York Tribune , contradicts Gen.
Hartranft's late assertion that Mrs. Surratt
was not manacled during her imprison
ment. Mrs. Swisshelm states that she
sat sometimes within one foot of Mrs.
Surratt during her trial, and knows that
she had a heavy chain about her ankles—
so heavy that she could not lift a foot, but
slid along across the floor. But perhaps
the gallant Gen. Hartranft, looking to the
Latin derivation of the word, may restrict
“manacles” to fetters for the hands, and
thus sutain his assertion!
A BAD BUSINESS FOR IBE PLAN
TERS.
Letter from a Chattahoochee Cotton
Planter.
Chattahoochee County, Ga.,l
Sept. 10th, 1073. >
Ed. Sun: When those individuals,
whose business it is, or who make it their
business, to watch so closely the cotton
crop, summed up the number of bales for
this year to four millions, the cotton crop
was then in a flourishing condition in
this country and throughout the cotton
belt, judging from reports concerning
them through the papers. Now, if the
above estimate was correct then, it can
not be right now, from the fact there
have been so many disasters since.
We have caterpillars, boll worms, rust
and a drought, and this combination will
certainly lessen the number of bales. It
has unmistakably lessened the number
with us of Chattahoochee. And, Mr. Ed
itor, it is an absolute fact that our county
will not have money sufficient to buy
bacon, after the expenses of the present
year have been cancelled. We owe for
bacon and a great portion of corn used
this year; we owe dealers for guano
that has proven a failure; we owe for sew
ing machines and cooking stoves, and
numerous other things, all of which must
be paid out of the cotton crop, for it is
our only means; and will it not fall short
of meeting these expenses ? We buy
stoves of peddlers on time, paying ten
dollars more than we would have to pay
in Columbus, when we owe for the very
bacon and bread we are cooking on them.
We buy sewing machines on time, when
we owe for the dry goods being sewed on
said machines. I had forgotten these
lightning rod men, but we have them too;
and the people are buying on time light
ning rods for houses that have withstood
the storms, the thunder and lightning for
years, and are now almost ready to topple
down with old age. Surely nothing like
economy ever entered into our composi
tion. We are now verifying the words of
the Hon. Ben. Hill, and it will not take
much longer for the awful truth of his
words to dawn upon us, if we continue to
adopt the suicidal policy of raising all
cotton and nothing to eat.
It is urged by farmers that we cannot
raise hogs, because negroes steal them.
This is partly true; negroes will steal
them. But if we would pay, in propor
tion, the same attention to the raising of
hogs that we bestow on cotton, we could
make sufficient bacon for our use.
Cotton picking has become general with
us at this time.
Excuse me for trespassing thus long on
your valuable time.
Chattahoochee.
CONDITION OF THE GROWING
COTTON CROP.
Report of tlio New Orleans Cotton Ex
change.
New Orleans, September 17.—The
Cotton Exchange Committee on Informa
tion. and Statistics, under date of the loth
inst., made the following report, conden
sed from letters received from August
31st to September 12th.
In answer to our interrogatories sent
out during the month of August, Missis
sippi sends fifty-four answers from thirty
nine counties. The reports are very con
flicting in regard to the weather, some
complaining of too much and some of too
little rain. The caterpillars and boll
worm Lave nearly everywhere appeared,
and while they have done but little dam
age on some plantations, on others they
have cut short the prospects very consid
erably. Great fear is expressed that the
top crop will be entirely lost, especially
where the plant is backward. Com
plaints of rot and rust are likewise seri
ous. The yield will barely compare with
last year, and what with the uncertain
weather and further depredations from
the worms, the result will be materially
curtailed.
Iu Louisiana, from two parishes we re
ceived thirty answers, thirteen of which
report too much rain, and nine dry and
more favorable weather. The caterpillars,
which are reported in great numbers
throughout the State, having already done
considerable damage, and still continue
their devastations. Rot and rust have
also injured the crops to some extent, es
pecially in those parishes reporting rainy
weather. Picking has generally commen
ced. Only one parish—that of Union—
reports a greater yield than last year,while
the balance report a shorter crop.
From Texas fifty letters have been re
ceived from forty-eight counties. The
general character of tfie weather has been
favorable since last report, most com
plaints being from the counties bordering
on the Gulf. We have much complaint
of damage by army worms, and but little
from rot or rust.
From Tennessee thirty-one letters were
received from twenty-four counties. The
weather in thiH State was generally warm
and dry, and its effects are represented as
rather favorable. No worms, rust or rot
are complained of, the only cause of dis
satisfaction being the shedding on the
ground of bolls and forms, reducing the
prospects for the top crop. Picking has
commenced, and will be general about the
20th inst. The yield will be about equal
to that of last year. A majority of our
correspondents seem inclined to think fa
vorably of the yield, although our reports
are rather conflicting.
From North Oaroliua, we have fifty-two
letters from lorly counties. All but three
complain of excessive rain, causing tne
plant to shed badly. There is no com
plaint of worms, but considerable dam
age from rot and rust. Picking will be
general by the 2oth inst. With frost at
Uie usual time, the yield will be some
what less than last year.
From South Carolina, seventeen coun
ties send in twenty one letters. The
weather since our last report has been
exceedingly wet, and there are complaints
of universal shedding and rust having
injured the plant materially. Worms
are also reported iu most counties heard
from, but without doing much serious in
jury so far. Picking has generally begun,
and will be under full headway at the
date on which write. The probable
yield per acre, compared with last season,
frost occurring at the usual time, is va
riously estimated, but a majority of opin
ions indicate a material reduction of last
year’s figures.
From Georgia, eighty letters have been
received from sixty-one counties. The
weather has been peculiar iu this State.
Sou sections complain of drouth which
stopped the grow th of the plant and caus
ed a premature opening of bolls, while in
three districts excessive rains promoted
growth for weeks and caused the young
bolls to fall off, and at the same time fa
vored the increase on an average of the
worm. Rust seems also to be quite gen
eral, but no affirming results have fol
lowed. Picking has commenced every
where, and must be progressing rapidly,
the prospects for a full yield is not as
flattering as they were a month ago, and
with frost at the usual time, the product
per acre must fall somewhat below that of
last season.
In Florida, reports have been received
from only three counties. The army and
boll worms, as well as rust and rot, have
done some damage. Picking has gener
ally commenced, and with favorable
weather the yield is likely to exceed last
season.
DASTARDLY OUTRAGE IN ALA
BAMA.
Two Merchants Knocked in the Head
and Robbed by a Negro.
Special io the Sun by the Southern Line.]
Union Springs, Sept. 18.—Last night,
about 11 o’clock, just after the down pas
senger train from Columbus, Ga., to
Troy, Ala., had passed Lin wood, Ala., a
negro (name not known) walked into the
grocery kept by Capt. A. P. Love and
called for a bottle of whisky, pulling out
a twenty dollar hill. Love refused chang
ing it. The negro then handed him one
dollar. As Love turned around to change
it, he was knocked in the head by the ne
gro with a club, who then turned and
knocked down a negro boy who assisted
in the store. Then, hitting Love three
more licks, he robbed the store of a con
siderable amount of cash. The negro
then came up to Thomasville, Ala., and
knocked at the store of John Phelps, who
opened the door and was immediately
knocked in the head by the same negro,
aud the store robbed of a small amount
of cash. No goods were stolen. The
negro made good his escape. Both]fmen
are delirious aud in a very critical condi
tion, not expected to live.
A Singular Coincidence. —Within the
past six months three of the senior pro
prietors of the cotton warehouses in this
city, have died. The first, Major L. F.
Johnston, senior proprietor of the Plan
ters' warehouse, died in March; Capt. W.
B. Brannon, sole proprietor of the Alaba
ma warehouse, died in July; Mr. M. 11.
Streater, senior proprietor of the City
warehouse, died on yesterday. This is
not only a singular coincidence, but the
loss of three such men as these were is a
great public calamity, which would be
seriously felt in any community.—Eufau
la Times.
[Advertisement.]
TO THE__PrBLIC.
I hope I may be pardoned for giving
the public the following correct version
of the correspondence between Mr. Phil- ,
lips and myself. As the man who forces
upon the public his private quarrels pre
sumes them of sufficient importance to
interest them, I must relieve myself from
this misconstruction by saying that if the
correspondence, as published in the At- 1
lanta Herald, had been correct, I should
have permitted it to speak for itself.
With the great body of that correspond
ence I had nothing to do—much of it, in
truth, I never saw before. I desire simply
to say that after affording Mr. Phillips an
opportunity of sending me a peremptory
challenge, which his friend CoL Lay inti
mated he had for me, and in lieu of it
having received a note asking an explana
tion and retraction, I felt it due both to j
myself and Mr. Phillips to examine care
fully my statements. I did so, and the
result was communicated to him in a kind
and respectful note, which he has never '
seen, but refused, through Col. Lay, to j
receive.
The subsequent trip to Neal’s Landing
is fully explained by the correspondence
as well as Mr. Holland’s card.
J. F. Waddell.
No. 1.
Columbus, Ga., July 18th, 1873.
B. D. Lay, M. D., —Sir: Will you please
inform me of the nature of the communi
cation you have for me.
Respectfully, J. F. Waddell.
. No. 2.
Columbus, Ga.
Rankin House, Room 7, 5. p. m.
Major James F. Waddell—My Dear
Sir: The communication which I hold, I
have already had the honor to state to you
personally, is addressed to yourself, and
requires a personal delivery. You must
pardon me if I decline to make any state
ment concerning it, save to deliver it to
yourself.
I am, dear sir, very respectfully your
obedient servant, Benj. D. Lay.
No. 3.
Columbus, Ga., July 18th, 1873.
B. D. Lay, M. D.—Sir: As I am com
pelled to infer from your conversation of
to-day, in which you desired me to cross
the river for the purpose of receiving a
message with which you are charged, and
also from the tenor of your note of to-day,
that your message is a hostile one; and as
I am a citizen of Alabama, and cannot re
ceive such a communication in that State,
I have the pleasure to inform you that ;
your communication will be received here
in Columbus, at such time as it may suit :
your convenience to communicate the |
same. Very respectfully,
J. F. Waddell.
No. 4.
Columbus, July 18, 1873,
10 P. M. Room 7 Rankin House.
Major J. F. Waddell—My Dear Sir:
i Your communication of this date, by the
hands of Col. George W. Hooper, is this
moment received. I would suggest to
you that I can see no reason that would
make it more proper for me to deliver the
message I bear, here than in Alabama,
j If there should be a reason which would
make Georgia preferable to you, I sub
mit that the same thing would cause me
to prefer Alabama. However, I will, if
you please, deliver my message to yon
either at Chattanooga, Tennessee, or upon
| the east bank of the Savannah river, in
I front of the town of Augusta, Georgia, as
you may select.
I have had the honor to explain to Col.
George W. Hooper that I did not know
anything prevented your reception of the
message at the point I indicated first. If
you will be kind enough to state to me
upon what day and at what point you will
meet me, I shall take great pleasure in de
livering my message.
I am, dear sir, very respectfully your
obedient servant, Benj. D. Lay.
No. 5.
Rankin House,
Columbus, Ga., July 19th, 1873.
Col. B. D. Lay—Sir: It will suit my
convenience to receive any communica
tion to me with which you are charged, at
Neil’s Landing, in Florida, on the Chat
tahoochee river.
I am informed that boats leave here for
th at point on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Please be so kind as to indicate the time
at which it will best suit you to repair to
that place. Very respectfully,
J. F. Waddell.
No. 6.
Columbus, July 19th, 1873,
At Rankin House, Room No. 7, 2 p.m.
Major J. F. Waddell—Sir: I have the
honor to acknowledge your note of this
instant, handed me by Col. George W.
Hooper. In reply, I will say that Neil’s
Landing, in Florida, upon the Chattahoo
chee river, will suit me very well, and
also I would say that I will take the Tues
day’s boat.
I am sir, with profound respect, your
very obedient servant, Benj. D. Lay.
No. 7.
Neil’s Landing, Florida,
July 23d, 1873, 1. P. m.,
Major James F. Waddell—My Dear
Sir: You were kind enough to inform me
in Columbus, that you would receive a
communication, which I had for you, at
this place. I have the honor to inquire
at what time it will suit your pleasure to
receive that communication.
I am dear sir, very respectfully your
obedient servent, Benj. D. Lav.
No. 8.
Neil s Landing,
July 23d, 1873, 1:20 p. m.
Col. B. D. Lay.—Sir, In reply to your
note just handed to me by yourself,
I have the pleasure to state that I will
receive at any time when it may suit your
convenience, the comumnieatian which
you have for me.
lam very respectfully your obedient
servent, J. F. Waddell,.
No. 9.
Neal's Landing, Fla.
July 23d, 1873, 3. p.m.
Maj. James F. Waddell, —Sir, In the
Columbus “Sun” of June 25th over your
signature, appears an advertisement
which reflects mu„t cruelly upon the mem
ory of my deceased uncle. W hatever course
the press may have seen cause to pursue,
or anonymous writers may have chosen to
publish, I submit was witfiout either the
knowledge or desire of his family, either
immediate or remote.
The allegations yon make in that arti
cle are of an exceedingly painful charac
ter, and I am unwilling io believe that
you would wantonly insult the memory
of the dead, or gratuitously wound the
feelings of the living. Therefore I ad
dress you this letter expressing the hope
that you wiil disclaim all such intention,
and request that you will withdraw every
portion of that article which reflects dis
creitably upon the memory of my deceas
ed relative.
I amsir, very respectfully,
T. J. Phillips.
No. 10.
Neal’s Landing,
July 23d. 1873.
Sir, I have receved your note of this
date and will reply in tfie usual time.
I have the honor to be Ac.,
J. F. Waddell.
To Capt. T. J. Phillips.
Atlanta, Ga, Augugt 24, 1873.
Major James F. Waddell, Seal’s Station,
Russell county, Ala. :
My Dear Sir : I have just terminated
a correspondence with Col. Geo. W. Hoop
er. which, as it bears directly upon your
self, I feel it my duty to submit to you.
The letters, both on my part and his,
speak for themselves, and need no ex
planation.
You see, Major, that either intentional
ly or otherwise, you failed to properly ac
credit Col. Geo. W. Hooper to me in
writing. I consented to receive your
notes, however, at his hands because of
his high character and standing, only tak
ing the precaution to have each one prop
erly authenticated, as having been deliver
ed to me, from you, through the hands of
Col. Hooper ; together with the hour of
delivery, as, save in one note, you had
omitted to fix the hour of writing.
As Col. Hooper, you see now declines
to hold the position of your friend, only as
it may suit his convenience and taste, and
as I have centainly waited a reasonable
time for you to accredit someone to me :
I, therefore ask you, at once, to name
to me some friend, through whom the
future correspondence, in relation to the
affair between yourself and Capt. T. J.
Phillips, may be conducted.
As I have stated in my letter to Col. G.
W. Hooper, and for the reasons therein
recited,l shall expect to receive your writ
ten reply to the letter from Capt. Thos. J.
Phillips, addressed to yourself, and deliv
ered by me, to you, in person, at Neil's
Landing, in the State of Florida, at 3 p.
m., of July 23d, —at least by the morning
of the 3d of September.
In view of the manner in which I con
sider Col. Hooper has trifled with me, I
shall expect, Major, that your next mes
senger will be properly authenticated to
me in writting.
I shall await your pleasure, in this city,
at the National Hotel, unless some unfor
seen circumstance should arise.
Should I be at any time suddenly re
quired to move, I shall not fail to notify
you, both by letter and telegram, of my
exact whereabouts.
Meanwhile, I am Major, with profound
respect, your most obedient servant,
Benj. D. Lay.
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 7, 1873.
Col. Geo. W. Hooper, Opelika, Ala.:
My Dear Sir—Y’ou did me the honor to
ask leave to call upon me “unofficially” at
Neil’s Landing, in Florida, upon the eve
ning of the 23d day of July, at about 3:30
p. m.
You stated that your visit was an “un
official one.” I replied “that I was glad
to receive *you at any time and in any
manner.” You said you “would ask me
with a view to adjusting
matters to suit our personal convenience,
if the Bth of Augnst would suit me for an
answer to the note from Capt. T. J. Phil
lips, which I had just delivered to Major
James F. Waddell.”
A debate between you and myself fol
lowed, which referred to a “Board of
Honor” two points, viz :
First—How much time was allowed to
you, or whether time at all?
Second—Whether you should, in case
time was allowed, address us a note asking
for the time, or announcing to us the time
yon took.
The reply of the “board” was a note
from Major James F. Waddell addressed
to Capt. T. J. Phillips, and handed me by
a member of the board, Dr. E. F. Colzey.
That note simply announced that Major
Waddell would reply within the usual
time.
Now Colonel, this may mean any time
within forty-six (46) days from the (18th)
eighteenth day of July, when I addressed
my first note to Major Waddell. Or it
may refer to your unofficial proposition of
August Bth. Will you, my dear sir, in
view of my personal affairs, enlighten me
as to your time, so that I may have my
personal affairs in readiness. Otherwise,
I shall be compelled to hold myself in
constant readiness to move at a minute’s
warning from you, until the morning of
the 3d day of September, proximo. I
shall do the latter if you require it, but
for my personal sake, I would ask the
charity of some definite understanding.
I am, my dear Colonel, very respect
fully, your obedient servant.
Benj. D. Lay, M. D.
A correct copy of the original draft of
Col. Lay’s letter to Col. Geo. W. Hooper,
August 7th, 1873.
John F. Shecut.
Opelika, Ala., Aug. 9th, 1873.
Col. Benj. D. Lay—Dear Sir: Your
favor of 7th inst. to hand, contents noted.
I regret not being able at present to give
you definite information as to the inten
tions of the friend of Major Waddell.
If I find that I can do so, it will afford
me pleasure to comply with your request.
For fear of some future misconstruc
tion, I feel it my duty to say that my rec
ollection does not concur with yours as
to what took place between you and my
self at Neal’s Lauding. I would at pres
ent only call your attention to one point.
You seem, from some reason, to count
| time from 18th July, when, according to
j my recollection, the first and only note
ever received from Capt. Phillips by Ma
jor Waddell was dated July 23d, 1873, 3
p. m. While I have no idea that this date
will ever be material, I deem it proper to
refer to it in answer to your letter.
I remain, sir,
Very respectfully, yours,
[Signed] G. W. Hooper.
A correct copy of Col. Hooper’s reply to
Col. Lay’s first note.
John F. Shecut.
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 21st, 1873.
Col. Geo. W. Hooper, Opelika, Ala. —
My Dear Sir: I was absent when your
favor of the 11th (date of reception) came
to hand. lam sorry that “your memory”
of the occurrence at “Neal’s Landing”
differs from mine. lam quite sure that
“mine” serves me correctly. I shall re
gret it if the “different opinion” on your
part continues, though as you have failed
to mention it to me, I do not know in
what it consists. However, I have con
sulted my memory, and have referred my
note to you to Dr. Colzey, and I am quite
sure that the matter was as I have written
you.
Should you still, after considering the
matter, continue in your same opinion, I
fear we shall find our difference irrecon
cilable. In which case I can only say I
am entirely at your service, and humbly
await your pleasure.
I am sorry to tell you that I cannot per
mit a count of time to run from the 23d
day of July. You are well aware that I
commenced action on the 18th, and that
I notified Major Waddell on that day
that I had a “message for him;” and
as ail subsequent delay arose from the
action of your party, I cannot, in justice
to my friend, permit advantage to be
taken of it. There has been far too much
delay, and I regret to add too much pub
licity in this affair already. Therefore, I
am compelled to notify yon that my ac
tion will commence upon the morning of
the 3d of September "proximo,” unless I
shall hear from your party sooner.
I shall await your pleasure at tais point,
and should I lie compelled to move ear
lier, I will notify you both by letter and
telegram. Meanwhile, I am, Colonel,
Your very obedient servant,
Benj. D. Lay.
A correct copy of Col. Lay’s second note
to Cpl. Hooper.
John F. Shecut.
Opelika, Ala., August 22, 1873.
Col. B. D. Lay—Dear Sir : Your favor
of 21st inst. at hand. It would be very
absurd for me to be offended with you
because my recollection of an ‘"unofficial"
conversation between us does not happen
to concur with yours. Being perfectly
satisfied withmy own recollection I freely
acknowledge your right to an equal con
fidence in yours. I concur with you in
regrettiDg the “ publicity ,” which must,
however, have been stopped by your card
in the Herald.
As to your intimation of the course you
intend to pursue iu reference to Major
Waddell, and the views you present as to
his duty, I do not feel called upon to
make any response, not representing him,
as you are aware, in this matter. I pre
sume that on inspection the corres
pondence between yourself, Capt. Phillips
and Major Waddell will speak for itself.
I am, sir, very respectfully, yours, &c.,
Geo. W. Hooper.
Correct copy of Col. Hooper’s reply to
Col. Lay’s second note.
John F. Shecut.
Atlanta, Ga., August 23, 1873,
8 p. m., National Hotel.
Col. Geo. W. Hooper, Opelika, Ala.:
My Dear Sir : Your prompt favor of
the 22d inst., in reply to mine of the 21st,
is to hand.
YVhile I am gratified. Colonel, at your
promptness, you will forgive me if I say
ity in your reply. Let me deal with you
frankly :
I am not like yonrself, learned in the
law, and skilled to write words which con
vey a sound and that soothes the mind,
and lulls to hope—but at the period that
should bring fruition, breaks the word
of promise to the hope whilst keeping it
to the ear—and leaving dull despair and
shameful dishoner, to the waiting fool.
I am, Major, but a plain, blunt man,
unskilled in craft or wily tactics—a man
who says exactly what he means, and
means exactly what he says.
Forgive mo then, if I find your note
unsatisfactory—and believe me, in the
name of truth, when I point out to you,
wherein it is unsatisfactory.
In your letter of the 11th, you said, in
reply to my note of the 7th, “that your
memory of the occurences at Neal’s Land
ing. differed from mine.” Now, Major,
I had written to yon upon the 7th what
my memory was. If, therefore, your
memory differs from mine, and yon are
not in error, either I had willfully and
deliberately lied—or I must have been a
most egregious ass, to have written pri
vately to you, the chief party interested;
a thing or things, of which I was not sure.
This condition of things occnring to me,
I was greatly distressed. I at once sent
for Mr. John F. Shecut, and consulted
him. I also referred a copy, of my letter
to you, to Dr. E. F. Colzey. Iu addition,
I took all the papers in the case and look
ed them over; so that my mind should
come accurately to the point of our “un
official conversation.” I had by me a
copy of my letter to yon. I gravely an
nounce to you that I am unable, after all
this care, to find a single error in my
letter of the 7th
I therefore respectfully ask that you
will at once specify distinctly wherein
your memery of that occasion differs from
what I had written; as I assure you that
I cannot consent to remain under a charge
like that, though it be vaguely expressed,
and known only to you and myself.
Be kind enough therefore to answer me
at once upon this point.
You regret with me the publicity this
affair has obtained, and presume it was
stopped by my card in the Herald. I can
not permit you, even in your own mind,
to do my friends of the Herald so much in
justice. The Herald only printed my
card, and reprinted at the head of it, (and
as the cause of their action,) the card of
retraction of the “Columbus Sun”, from
which paper they had copied, and
this retraction of the “Sun,” I am sure
you know; eost me the pain of slapping
the face, and pulling the nose of Mr.
Jewett DeVotie ; who had been the author
of the published articles. Y T ou know, I
had promised to both your party and
mine, that I would compel such a retrac
tion, and you know I redeemed my word.
You say "as to yon • intentions of the
course you intend io pursue, in reference
to Maj. Waddell.” and the views you pre
sent as to his duty, I do not feel called up
on to make any response, not represent
ing him, as you are aware, in this matter.
I presume that an inspection of the cor
respondence between yourself, Capt.
Phillips and Maj. Waddell, will speak for
itself.
Well, Colonel, I have just consulted it,
and we will let it speak.
I find from it, that although you were
never officialy authenticated to one, as the
friend of Major Waddell; nevertheless,
you permitted yourself to bear every com
munication I received from him. I own
that you formally, (but verbally) told me,
that in view of your connection wirh him,
you could not proceed further in this case,
and that your connection ceased with the
delivery to me, of the Major’s note of
date, July 19th, 2 p. m. I was, therefore,
surprised, (but agreeably so, as I was glad
to find myself confronted by so courteous
a gentleman,) to find you on the boat
with Maj. Waddell; and more so, to find
you bearing to me the Major’s reply to my
note, which I personally delivered to him.
After the delivery by me, of Capt. Phil
lip’s message to Maj. Waddell, you came
in for that informal visit about which I
had the misfortune to find you differing
from me in memory. It is, therefore,
with trepidation that I remember, you
claimed, as a bar to instant proceedings,
that Maj. Waddell would like to have his
friends with him. When I expressed sur
prise, as you were there, and also Maj.
Wynn ; you then again reminded me of
your relationship. I remember, I said, I
did not think you were so close as to be
within the prohibited degree of kinship,
of the Code. I will not discuss this fur
ther with you, Colonel. Ido not feel that
the game is worth the candle. I will only
say to you plainly, as a plain man, that it
seems to me, that you have tnfiled with
me. As you must say distinctly, and in
writting, that you are not the friend of
Maj. Yvaddeil, in this matter, I shallot'
course, anoy you no further about it, but
at once address myself to Maj. Waddell,
and request him to authenticate some
friend to me, as I have been authen
ticated to him, with whom I may corres
pond.
I feel it my duty, to remit to him,
copies of our correspondence.
In conclusion, Colonel, I hope I shall
not be thought going too far when I say
to you, that I trust after your written dis
claimer, that all active interference iu this
matter, on your part, will at once cease,
unless you intend to fully assume the
responsibility of such action.
I remain Colonel,
Your very obedient servant.
Benj. D. Lay.
Correct copy of Col. Lay’s third note to
Col Hooper. John F. Shecut.
Columbus, Ga., Aug. 27th, 1873.
Col. B. D. Lay—Sir : I have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of your com
munication of the 24th inst., coverings
correspondence between Col. Hooper and
yourself, and advising me that you would
expect a reply, through some accredited
friend, to Capt. T. J. Phillips’ note of
July 23d by the 3d day of September
proximo. Pardon me for saying that I
regret the correspondence between Col.
Hooper and yourself as unnecessary and
improper. He was my duly accredited
agent to yon in the correspondence which
preceded tho note of your friend Phillips.
After that commenced, as you wiil see by
reference to it, I became the custodian of
my honor with a promise of reply to the
note of Captain Phillips at such time as
should suit my convenience, within the
usual time. Any suggestions in the inte
rim, such as your last note contains, you
will again pardon me for saying, I con
sider unkind to myself. When I am
ready, Colonel, I shall be very certain to
reply to Capt. Phillips’ note, aud iu the
meantime I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your ob’t serv’t,
J. F. Waddell.
Columbus, Ga., August 28,1873.
Col. B. D. Lay, Atlanta, Georgia—
Sir : I am the custodian of a communica
tion from Maj. James F. Waddell to Capt.
T. J. Phillips, which I shall be pleased to
deliver to you at Columbus, Georgia, or
in Alabama on the opposite side of the
river, if either of these points will suit
your convenience, or at any other place
you may name. My address is Columbus,
Georgia.
I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your
ob’t serv’t. J. T. Holland.
Columbus, Georgia.
Capt. T. J. Phillips—Sir: I regret the
delay which I have found necessary in
framing a reply to your note of the 23d of
July satisfactory to myself, may have
caused you inconvenience. Your com
plaint is that over my signature in the
Columbus Sun of June 25th, an advertise
ment contained cruel statements in re
gard to the character of your deceased
relative. The greater portion of that ar
ticle contains simply references to sworn
and recorded testimony in tho Hooper
trial, to which, I presume, your note
does not refer. I confine my reply,
therefore, to that portion which re
fers to his intercourse with Sally
Foster, and *he circumstances connec
ted with that transaction, embracing
his disconnection with the Methodist
Church. Permit me in the outset to state
that the article in question was written in
reply to an anonymous correspondent of
the Atlanta Herald, signing himself
“Opelika,” in defense of my client and
kinsman, who stands in jeopardy of his
hie, and against whom the foulest charges
had been preferred pending his trial.
The averments of that publication led me
to an examination of all the facts in the
case, and I was forced by it, reluctantly I
confess, to state circumstances connected
with your deceased relative which I would
.lot have done bat for the attacks of this
anonymous writer and to disabuse the
public mind of the prejudice sought to be
engendered by it. These facts were de
rived from the very Dest authority, and
their publication would never have been
made had not the character of my infor
mation justified it. Yon will remark,
also, that in the very letter of which you
complain I offer to correct any mistake
which I may have made as to facts. Hav
ing premised this much then, I cannot do
you the injustice to suppose that in your
request to me for the retraction of injuri
ous reflections, you desire that I should
retract anything which is true. lam un
willing to indulge any such violent pre
sumption against any man who I regard,
and with whom I correspond, as a gentle
man.
Proceeding, then, upon this hypothesis,
I have the honor to submit to your con
sideration the enclosed certificates, num
bered from one to —, from gentlemen of
the highest respectability, and also some
official records covering your ground of
complaint, the originals being subject to
your inspection at any time you may de
sire. I assure you that I regret the ne
cessity of calling your attention to these
facts, and would not do so if justice to
myself did not require it.
Additionally I will state that at the
time I was first approached by your
friend Col. Lay, at your instance, I was
engaged in ferreting out a discrepancy in
my charges to which my attention had
been called by the letter of a Mr. Harris,
which showed that Mr. Philips instead of
being dropped, as stated by me, from the
church, had withdrawn at his own request.
I cheerfully therefore make this correc
tion, and any other in which you may be
able to satisfy me that I have been misin
formed.
In conclusion, permit me to say tbat you
are correct in supposing, and that I did not
intend wantonly to assail the dead or
gratuitously to wound the living. My
discussion of the errors of the dead was
forced upon me in the defense of my cli
ent; to theliving I intended no wound
gratuitous or otherwise. I meant simply,
in the vindication of a cause to which I
owed the most solemn obligations, to re
fute the assailants of my client with
truth. Again trusting that Ido not mis
conceive the purport of your request, and
that this reply may be satisfactory to
you, I transmit the same to you by the
hands of my friend James T. Holland,
Esq., through whom any future communi
cations may be made to me.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient
servant, J. F. Waddell.
CERTIFICATE NO. 1.
Oath of Sallie F. Foster charging pa
rentage of her illegitimate child to Thos.
H. Phillips. Sworn to before W. H.
Hanson, J. P., 7th of October, 1871, Lee
county, Ala. Certified to by Stephen H.
Tucker, Clerk of Circuit Court of Lee
county.
July 10th, 1873.
Major Waddell —At your request I
cheerfully state what I know of the Phil
lips bastardy case. I was employed to
prosecute T. H. Phillips and was well ac
quainted with the facts, and had posses
sion of certain letters of his recommend
ing the taking the life of the infant and
advising the swearing the child to first
one and then another gentleman in the
town. When the case was settled to the
satisfaction of S. F. F , part of the
terms of said settlement were that said
letters were to be returned to Mr. Phillips,
which was done by me, except one or two
which still remain in possession of third
parties. I was on the Committee of the
M. E. Church to investigate his conduct
and do not recollect making any report.
Mr. Phillips, when the case was settled
and I returned him his letters, admitted
his criminal connection with the prosecu
trix, and that the letters had been written
by him except one which he said was writ
ten under his direction.
[Signed,] L. F. McCov.
A true copy.
J. F. Waddell.
CERTIFICATE NO. 3.
Certificate of J. J. Green, former part
ner of Thos. H. Phillips, states that T.
H. Phillips had frequently acknowledged
to him unlawful intimacies with Sallie F.
Foster, detailing circumstances.
CERTIFICATE NO. 4.
R. C. Hollifield certifies that two or
three months before the birth of the child
Thomas H. Phillips came and informed
me that Sallie F. Foster had charged said
Phillips with the paternity of the child,
and in that conversation Phillips confess
ed frequent criminal intimacy with Sallie
F. Foster, st; ,ng circumstances.
Mr. Phillip «'. • formed me that he
had advised s: -. oo,er, a few days be
fore said consL-.&'ion with me, to go over
to Columbus, tia., and remain there until
she was delivered, and that she could go
as on a visit without exciting suspicion—
and then return and no one would know
of the scandal.
He also told me that he had proposed
to furnish her comfortable rooms, a nurse
and physician, and to pay the entire ex
pense of her travail, Ac., and that she
had refused so to do, and threatened him
with a prosecution.
In conversation about the time of the
birth of said child, Phillips informed me
that he had tried to get Mrs. Foster to
swear the paternity of said child to John
W. deLoach, which she had also refused
to do. Said Phillips also informed me
that he had proposed to give said Foster
one hundred dollars if she would not con
nect his name with the case, which she
refused. I advisad said Phillips to with
draw from the Church about the time the
matter was growing public, and after
wards he informed me that he had con
sulted with J. H. Swearingen and Rev.
Josiah Barker in reference to same, and
that they had favored such policy. One
of the prominent reasons why he was ad
vised to withdraw "from the M. E. Church
was to prevent charges being preferred by
the Church, and consequent damage to
said Phillips in the trial of a bastardy
case. Mrs. Foster, after delivery, insti
tuted suit against T. H. Phillips for bas
tardy, which was settled by said Phillips
paying her a sum of money agreed by the
parties to said suit, which suit Gunn A
Hollifield were employed in the defense.
R. C. Hollifield.
I, Wm. H. Barnes, hereby certify that
Mr. Thomas H. Phillips, now deceased,
oarne to me some time during the fall of
the year 1871, and told me that he had
asked Mr. J. H. Swearingen to apply to
rhe Methodist Episcopal Church South, at
Opelika, for leave to withdraw from the
Church ; that a report had become public
that he, said Phillips, was intimate with
a Mrs. Sallie F. Foster, who was also said
to be a member of said church, and asked
me to assist said Swearingen in getting
the church to allow him to withdraw from
the church without a trial. Both said
Swearingen and myself were members of
said church, and are yet. Said Phillips
told me that he was not fit to remain in
the church, and that he was guilty of
criminal intimacy with said Foster- Said
Foster had just given birth to an illegiti
mate child. I had an interview with the
pastor of said church at the time, the
Rev. Josiah Barker; told him what said
Phillips had said to me, and advised him
that in my opinion it would be best for
the church to allow him to withdraw with
out a trial, as it would dissever his con
nection from the church, and save the
ohurch from the scandal of an indecent
public trial, and that said pastor fully
agreed with me in that opinion. And I
further state that said Phillips was after
wards allowed to withdraw and sever his
connection from said church without auv
trial—no charges ever having been pre
ferred by said church against him.
I also afterwards, a3 counsel, repre
sented said Phillips in bastardy case No.
240, in the Circuit Court of Lee, insti
tuted by said Foster against him as the
father of said child ; and that case was
settled by said Phillips on compromise by
my advice, on the payment by him of a
certain specified sum of money to said
Sallie F. Foster, the mother, and certain
other considerations from said Phillips,
which was required by her for said settle
ment.
[Signed] W. H. Barnes.
July 28, 181
A true c pv J. F. Waddell.
Opelika, Ala., Aug. 29th, 1873.
Jas. T. Holland, Eeq., Columbus, Ga.
—My Dear Sir: I return you the letter
and accompanying enclosures, which yon
have to-day presented me. They are ad
dressed to Capt. T. J. Phillips, of At
lanta, from Maj. J. F. Waddell, and I
understand intended to form a reply to
Capt. Phillips’ note of July 23d, delivered
by me to Maj. Waddell in person at
Neal’s Landing, and addressed to him. I
cannot consens to bear this letter to Capt.
T. J. Phillips, as I do not conceive that
it in any way touches the ground of his
complaint against you.
I, therefore, decline its delivery. Capt.
Phillips cannot, in my estimation, con
sent to any investigation of the memory ,
of the dead, whose faults, if they had
any, should be sacred. Their good deeds,
if any they have done, should live after
them. Be pleased to refer to the verbage
of the note of Capt. Phillips to which I
have referred. If you should desire it, I
will at any time write what will be satis
factory to Capt. Phillips.
I am, dear sir, with much respect, your
obedient servant, Benj. I). Lav.
Columbus, Ga., Aug. 30,1873, 4p. m.
Col. B. D. Lav —Dear Sir : Your note
of the 29th inst. is before me, in which
you say, “I cannot consent to bear this
letter to Capt. Phillips, as I do not con
ceive that it in any way touches the
ground of liis complaint,” and in which
you are pleased to refer me to the verbiage
of the note of Capt. Phillips.
I have, at your suggestion, examined
the note of Capt. Phillips (which I had
not seen until this moment) with earnest
solicitude, to ascertain whether or not ,
Major Waddell’s note of the 28th August
did touch the ground of his complaint,
and on that examination I have concluded
that it does touch the ground of complaint
mentioned in Capt. Phillips’ uote.
I am, Colonel, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. T. Holland.
Columbus Ga.,
Rankin House, Room 10,
Sept. Ist 1873, 4:45 p. M.
Jas. T. Holland Esq. —My dear sir,
Your favor of August 30, delivered to me
by your self about 3:30, p. m. is before
me. You quote my language and say
that I said; ‘T cannot consent to bear this
letter to Capt. Phillips, as Ido not con
ceive that it in an any way touches the
ground of his complaint.” In reply you
say that, “I have at your suggestion ex
amined the note of Capt Phillips with
earnest solicitude, to ascertain whether
or not Maj. Waddell’s note of2Sth August
did touch the ground of his complaint,
and on that examination, I have conclud
ed that it does touch the ground of com
plaint mentioned in Capt. Phillips note.
My Dear Sir, the issue you make with me
is a very peculiar and personal one. I
have taken the trouble to send for Capt.
Phillips, who has come to me and fully
sustains me in what I have done. I now
have the honor to notify Maj: Waddell
that his leter is unsatisfactory to Capt. 1
Phillips. As to the difference of opiniou
between yon and myself. I have the pleas
ure to say that Capt Phillips and myself
will leave this at B.a m. of to-morrow,
for the ground to which Maj. \\ addell
once invited us, and both Capt. Phillips,
and Maj. Waddell, as well as you and my
self, can continue our correspondence.
For the original matter I will say once
more that Maj. Waddell's reply is unsatis
factory to Capt Phillips, as well as to my
self, and hence should I not hear further
my action upon the 3d inst. will be the
same as if no reply had been made. My
friend, Capt. John C. Campbell, to whom
I beg to introduce to you, will hand you
this, and will bear me any reply you may
chose to make.
I am sir, your obodient servent.
Benj. D. Lav.
Columbus, Ga., Sept. Ist, 1873.
Col. Benj. D. Lav, Rankin House —
Dear Sir : Your note of yesterday was re
ceived by the hands of Capt. John C.
Campbell, and in which you say that the
issue I make with you is a very peculiar
and personal one. I cannot, however,
conceive that the issue between us is
either peculiar or personal. It certainly
was not designed so to be, upon the con
trary, I thought and still think, that Maj.
Waddell's letter of 28th ultimo, did touch
the ground of Capt. Phillips’ complaint in
his letter of 23d of July.
This then is the issue between us.
Capt. Phillips, it appears, sustains your
views. My own are unchanged. Now in I
this state of affairs, when gentlemen thus |
honestly differ, I suggest for your {consid- j
eration that the point be decided by gen
tlemen chosen, to whom the same shall be j
referred.
I am, sir, respectfully,
your ob’t serv’t.
J. T. Holland. ,
At Home, Sept. 2d, 1873.
Capt. Jno. C. Campbell —Dear Sir—l
regret that I am to-day confined to my
bed by a violent attack of sickness, which
compels me to transmit you my reply to
the note of Col. Lay of yesterday by the
hands of a gentleman who has kindly con
sented to bear it. Please hand the same
to Col. Lay. and oblige
Your ob’t serv’t,
J. T. Holland.
Columbus, Ga.,
Rankin House, Room No. 10.
September 2, 1873. 1:30 p. in.
Col. Jas. T. Holland —My Dear Sir :
Your reply of this instant, delivered “in
formally” to Capt. John C. Campbell, by
Dr. D. W. Johnson, lies before me. You
say “I cannot, however, conceive that the
issue is either peculiar or personal—it
certainly was not designed to be so.”
My Dear Sir, this would certainly be ail
that I could ask of you, if you had not, I
have no doubt, unthoughtedly added, a re
traction of the point of difference. Y’ou
do me the unltindness to say, “I thought
and still think that Major Waddell’s note
of the 28th ultimo did touch the ground
of Capt. Phillips’ complaint in his letter
of 23rd July. Capt. Phillips, it appears,
sustains your views; my own are un
changed. Now, in this state of affairs,
when gentlemen honestly differ, I suggest
for your consideration, that the point be
decided by gentlemen chosen, to whom
J the same may be referred.”
My Dear Sir, let me understand you
\ distinctly. I understand that you wish
to refer the point between you and my
self to a board of gentlemen. If
| so, I consent’. But if you mean with
regard to Capt. Philips and Major Wad
dell, I have to inform you that three times
I have submitted to Boards of Honor.
Once they (gentlemen proposing) conclu-
I ded that they could not act; that w’as the
I second one, and at Eufaula. The first
i and the last were here, and I regret to
say that Major Waddell quibbled in each
| case, and the Boards therefore failed. I
j regret to be so plain, but you leave me no
alternative. I make this assertion with
; all its responsibilities. I therefore re
| spectfuily decline to have any further de
; lay in Capt. Philips’ matter.
I am going to the point I indicated, at
4p. m., of this day. If I go and return
j without a satisfactory answer, I shall cer
-1 tainly act as I have four times before
I notified your party. With regard to
our personal differences, if that is
what you wish to refer, I can only say
I will refer it or not, as you please. If
that be the point, I name Dr. E. F. Col
zey, Col. A. R. Calhoun and Major John
F. Shecut, as my party; please notify me
of yours, and the time of meeting, which
I leave to you, provided it be after my
return from the trip upon which lam
j starting; or it may, if you like, take place
| upon the boat, as we journey.
I am, my dear sir, most truly your obe
j dient servant to command,
Benj. D. Lav, M. D.
N. B. This will be handed you by my
friend Capt Johu D. Campbell, who will
bear me your reply, if any.
Benj. I). Lav, M. D.
: As the friend of Major Waddell in this
matter, and in justice to myself, I deem
the subjoined statement necessary. After
my communication to Col. Lay of August
28th, I was informed that Col. Lay was in
Opelika, to which place I went and pro
posed to deliver him said reply. Col.
Lay, at first, requested witnesses, which
being assented to, he, after partially read
ing, declined to bear the reply at all.
Upon my return to Columbus, I tele
graphed Col. Lay to know where I could
deliver him my reply to his declination,
and was informed at Columbus. The
correspondence between Col. Lay and
myself then occurred in this place.
About seven or eight o’clock on the
evening of the first September, I in
formed Capt. Campbell, the friend of
Col. Lay, that owing to my physical con
dition, I could not send him a reply to
his note of 4:45 p. m. before 12 o’clock
on Tuesday, the 2d, to which he readily
assented. On the morning of the 2d I
was confined to my bed by a violent at
tack of sickness, and sint my reply for
Col. Lay to Captain Campbell, through a
friend, at the same time advising him of
my condition, and suggesting that Col.
Lay’s reply could be communicated
through the same channel. At twenty
minutes past three o’clock of the same
day Capt. Campbell came to my house
and delivered me the note of Col. Lay,
stating that his party would leave for Neal’s
Landing at 4 o’clock. My verbal reply to
Capt. Campbell was that I was not able to
go, as he saw, and that if I was, Major
Waddell should not go with my consent,
under the circumstances. This note I
conveyed to Major Waddell as soon as
possible—but not until after the depar
ture of the train upon which the Phillips
party left. My house is two and a half
miles from the railroad depot in Colum
bus.
On the 3d I received from Col. Lay a
dispatch dated Eufaula, notifying me that
his party would remain at Neal’s Landing
ninety-six hours. For the same reason
stated above, and also because I had never
been consulted as to Neal’s Landing or
any other point, I ignored that dispatch.
J. T. Holland.
From the Atlanta Constitution, 18th.
THE PHILLIPS-WADDELL AF
FAIR.
Some Unpublished Correspondence.
Opelika, Ala., Sept. 16, 1873.
Editors Constitution:
Gentlemen: I notice the publication
of a portion of a correspondence between
Col. Benj. D. Lay and myself. I think it
would be but justice to the public that
the whole of it should- be published. I
would be pleased to see in the columns
of your valuable journal the remainder of
that correspondence, which I herewith in
close.
Y'ours, very respectfully,
. Georoe W. Hooper.
Opelika, Ala, August 28th, 1873.
Colonel George W. Hooper present:
Mv Dear Sir —Will you pardon me if
I remind you that up to this moment my
letter of the 23d remains unanswered.
From the promise I made you in that let
ter to notify you both by letter and tele- 1
gram of any movement I should make
from Atlanta. I now respectfully inform
you that I shall remain at the Adams j
house in this place until 12 m., when I !
shall take the train for Columbus where I j
shall remain until the morning of 3d of
September. I shall reside at the Rankin
House while there and shall duly notify j
Major Waddell of my arrival there. >
Permit me, Colonel, to call yonr atten
tion again to my letter of the 23d inst.
And allow me to renew my request, that
you will state to me in writing exactly i
wherein your memory differs from mine.
Permit to observe that a charge so vague
as this is very painful to me and is one j
under which I cannot rest quietly—with ;
honor. It is one I think you should not j
make without full specifications and proof.
I have now asked you no less than three
times to specify the charge you have
made and you have not done so. Once
more then I beseech you, say distinctly
in what your memory differs from mine.
I wait your pleasure with profound respect.
Colonel, I am, your obedient servant,
Benj. D. Lav.
Opelika, Ala., August 29,1873.
Col. B. D. Lay :
Dear Sir-: Your favor of the 23d
reached me only to-day. About the same
time I received a note from you sent by
a messenger asking a reply to the same.
I stated to your messenger that I would
send you a reply by mail at my earliest
convenience.
First., theD, I have made no charge
against you, and a re-perusal of my notes
will show it.
Second, my memory differed from yours
and I mentioned that fact to you.
I am surprised that yon should, for a
moment, suppose that it was necessary to
sustain your honor that my memory
should concur with yours in every par
ticular. But to the‘point. You wish to
know wherein my memory differs. In
complying with your request, I find it
more convenient to state as nearly as I
can what I rember of our conversation,
and leave you to judge of the difference.
On the evening of 23d July, at 9:30 p.
m., I called on you, and upon your bow
ing most profoundly I stated that my call
was informal, and the following conver
sation ensued :
Col. Lay (with a low bow)—lt gives me
pleasure, sir, to see you at any time and
in any manner.
Hooper (with bow equally low) —Allow
me, sir, to express an equal pleasure in
seeing you.
Col. Lay (bow as before)—Will you do
me the honor, sir, to be seated ■
Hooper ( boiv as before) —I will do my
self the honor, of sitting as you request, j
H. (on taking seat)—Colonel, will you
permit me to inquire where you can be |
found on or about the. Bth day of August?
I take the liberty of inquiring because !
Major Waddell’s 'selected friend is not
here, and Ido not think that his reply
wiil be ready before that time.
Colonel Lay—Major Waddell has cer
tainly the right, under the code, to double
the time taken by Captain Phillips, but it
would suit my convenience better if Maj.
Waddell could reply before my return to
Atlanta. You are perhaps aware, Colonel,
that my principal, Captain Phillips, is a
wealthy man, and I know that Major
Waddell is also wealthy, but you and my
self are both poor, and it comes very hard
on us to have to make two trips here. It
is so expensive.
Hooper —I have no doubt that Major i
Warddell and his friend will do anything
that they can consistently with their own
convenience to avoid patting you to ex
pense or inconvenience, and I would sug
gest that if it is possible, that before we
part on our return, after Major Waddell
consults with his friend, that some ar
rangement may be made to suit the mu
tual convenience of all parties.
Col. Lay—Would you object,Colonel, to
indicating to me what weapon Major
Waddell will be likely to select, if the af
fair progresses to that point ?
Hooper—l am not at liberty to give
you the information you desire, and allow
me to suggest that it is the duty of sec
onds to exhaust every effort to prevent a
collision before selecting weapons, and is
it necessary, therefore, to calculate be
forehand that their efforts will be fruit
less ? But your experience is so much
more extended than mine, that I feel a
great delicacy in making any suggestion.
Colonel Lay (rising with profound
bow)—Yes, Col., I have been engaged in
forty-two affairs of honor as principal and
second, and I concur with you fully in
your suggestions. It is the duty of a sec
ond to prevent a resort to arms if possi
ble. I recollect in one of the first duels
I ever fought, I came very near losing my
life by having a fool for a second.
He allowed me to fight the best swords
man in Europe with a rapier. I, at
that time, was not so proficient as I
am now in the use of that weapon, and
considered my life as good as lost but
met my antagonist, and, after parrying a
few of his thrusts, was compelled to al
low him to pass his sword entirely
through my stomach, the point coming
out at my backbone. As I stood thus
transfixed, it occured to my mind to do an
act which I have never heard of being
equaled before or since, I with my left
hand, with remarkable presence of mind,
coolness and firmness, seized my adver
sary’s blade, holding it so firmly, that he
could neither turn it in me or puli it out,
and in that position, plunged my sword
entirely through my adversary’s left breast
up to the hilt, just one inch and a half
above his heart; and what is remarkable,
is, that we both recovered, and thereupon,
you removed a portion of your clothing
and pointed to the spot. Nothing was
said in this conversation that I recollect
abont a board of honor or any note from
Major Waddell. (Late in the evening we
had another conversation, which I do not
give, as your letter refers only to the one
at 3:30 P. M.)
Why you should have to consult Messrs.
Shecut or Colzy, or the correspondence,
to refresh your mind I am unable to con
ceive, for neither of the gentlemen were
present at the 3:30 conversation, and none
of the correspondence refers to it.
I only give my best recollection, and
while on many points it may be incorrect,
permit me to state that yours may not be
any more reliable than mine. Os course no
gentleman would intentionally state an un
truth but it is rare for men’s memories to
concur exactly. Take for instance, your
statement to me in your note, that you
had pulled the nose and slapped the faoe
of Mr. Jewett DeVotie. Now, I am sure
that Mr. DeYotie, who is a high-toned,
truthful man, has no recollection of suoli
an occurrence.
You surprise me by alluding in you let
ter, to the possibility of your being an
“egregious ass” and a “waiting fool.” I
am sure that no expression in either of
my notes could be construed as making
such a charge and if you so construe my
writing, I beg to assure you I had no
such intention.
You assure me of the pleasure you ex
perienced in my going on the boat. Al
low me, sir, in return, to assure you that
never have I experienced more pleasure
and enjoyment than ou that trip, for
which I am mainly indebted to yourself,
and I assure that I am not alone when I
state that your urbanity and courtesy was
unsurpassed. In fact, on this point, I
think the memory of all parties concur.
And now, Colonel, I assume the honor
of signing my name, with profound re
spect.
Your most obd’t servant,
Geo. W. Hooper.
Opelika, Ala., August 30th, 1873.
Col. Geo. IF. Hooper , Present "En
Ville My Dear Sir —Your most extra
ordinary letter of this a. m., in reply to
mine to you of August 23d inst., is to
band. Its contents are so strange and
voluminous that I cannot say they are as
yet carefully noted.
I will reply to you in due time.
I am, Colonel, most truly,
Your ob’t serv't,
Benj. D. Lay.
The Lay-Hooper Difficulty. —ln an
other column will be found some hereto
fore unpublished correspondence in the
Phillips-Waddell affair, which we give by
request. The following note we also
publish carefully, that no injustice may
be done:
Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 17, 1873.
Editors Constitution :
Gentlemen —My attention was this
morning attracted to an article in your
editorial column, headed “The Lay-
Hooper Difference,’’ in which you Bay
“We shall to-morrow give an unpublished
portion of tho recent Phillips-Waddell
correspondence, covering the matter of
difference between Colonel Lay and Colo
nel Hooper.”
I regret exceedingly the publication of
said correspondence, at present, as it is
obliged to be incomplete, the matter of
controversy not having been yet adjusted.
My friend, Col. Lay, is now in Opelika,
for the purpose of replying to Col. Hoop
er’s last note.
I deem it my duty during Col. Lay’s
absence, and presuming the correspon
dence has been furnished you by the oth
er party—to state that he (Col. Lay), sent
a note to Col. Hooper as soon as he could
be found (which was in Columbus), in
forming him that he should have a reply
to his (Hooper’s) note at his (Lay’s) con
venience, as matters of prior importance
commanded his attention at that time -
This note Col. Hooper declined to receive,
upon the plea that it was sent by friends,
and not through the post-office as his
(Hooper's) communication was.
As soon as my friend returns, yon shall
have a full and true statement of the mat
ter.
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
John F. Shecut.
ODD FELLOWS.
Baltimore, Sept. 18.—The Odd Fellows’
report made two years ago, upon the re
vision of ritual, amended and adopted.
Baltimore, Sept 18.—Grand Lodge
of Odd Fellows of the United States meet
next year at Atlanta.
ADVANCE IN NAILS.
Pittsburg, Sept. 18.—The Western
.Nail Association advanced prices 12ic.
per keg. 2
THE FINANCIAL PANIC.
BASKING ho vs e SUSPENSIONS
AT THE NORTH.
Its Effect Throughout the Country.
DOWNFALL OF STOCKS —BUN ON THE BANKS
—WALL STREET hPASMS.
New York. Sept. 18. —Jay Cooke A Cos
have announced their suspension, m con
sequence of large advances made to sus
tain their Philadelphia house and a heavy
drain upon their own deposit*.
Washington, Sept. IS.— The First Na
tional Bank, Henry D. Cooke, President,
has suspended.
Washington, Sept. 18. — There are as
surances that the Freedman’s Bank had
only SB,OOO in the First National Bank
and no balances with Jay Cooke, and the
Bank holds only $4,000 of Northern
Pacific bond as coiiateral for a small loan.
New York, Sept. 18.— There is great
excitement consequent upon Cooke’s fail
ure, and the question is “Who next i"
Business men attribute the failure to
operations in Northern Pacific Railroad.
It is feared the National Lite Insurance
Compauy will go under with Cooke. It is
said Cooke lost largely in gold. Members
of the firms say they are unable to make
any further statements, and that they ex
pect to resume business in a short time.
The London firm of Cooke responds
to his suspension by stating that all drafts
and letters of credit on them, issued
Jay Cooke A Cos., will be duly honored.
Jay Cooke A Cos. make the following
statement: The immediate cause of the
suspension of Jay Cooke & Cos. was the
large drawings upon them by their Phila
delphia house, and their own depositors,
during the last fortnight. Both houses
have suffered largely the drain upon their
deposits in consequence of an uneasy
feeling which has recently prevailed, and
which haw affected more or less all houses
closely identified with new railroad enter
prises. The Philadelphia house had pre
viously been weakened by large cash ad
vances to the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company, of which they were the finan
cial agents. The business of Jay Cooke
& Cos., and McCullough & Cos., Loudon,
is entirely distinct, and thathouse is per
fectly solvent, so tliqt it will meet its out
standing-debts and letters of credit with
out inconvenience to travelers, and have
a large cash surplus to apply to the Ameri
can house. The firm of Jay Cooke A
Cos. and its members have a large amount
of real and personal property upon which,
however, they cannot immediately realize.
They are confident depositors will be paid
in full.
New York, Sept. 18. —All reports about
the suspension of firms, excepting Jay
Cooke A Cos., Richard Schell, ami the
small firm of Robinson, Guidom A Cos.,
upon investigation, proved to be without
foundation. When these facts were made
known on the street, confidence was again
restored and at the close of business
stronger feelings prevailed. It is not
thought that any other firms of promi
nece will succumb.
Philadelphia, Sept. 18. —N. L. Clark,
banker, suspended.
New York, Sept. 19— The following
are the suspensions announced : Robin
son & Suydam, Richard Schell, Fisk A
Hatch, White, DefreitasA Ilathbone, Biers
A Edwards, and Eugene J. Jackson,
League.
Geo. Opkyke A Cos. have not suspend
ed.
MORE FAILURES AND EXCITEMENT.
The wildest excitement followed Fisk
A Hatch’s failure. Wall Street was in its
shirt sleeves and bare-headed. Stocks fell
10 per cent, and are still sinking.
Dehaveu A Cos., Philadelphia, have fail
ed.
ADDITIONAL NEW YORK FAILURES :
Chas. Reid A Cos., W. H. Warren,
Greenleaf, Norris A Cos., Geo. B. Alley,
Theo. Briddle and A. M. Kidder.
Fitch A Cos. suspended.
BUN ON THE BANKS.
Washington, Sept. 19. Dispatches
from all cities report long lines of depos
itors are crowding the bank doors. This
| city is no exception.
FALL OF STOCKS.
I New York, Sept. 19. — The Western
j Union Telegraph Company stock opened
|at 78, now 684. Like fluctuations in the
whole list.
PROTECTION FOR JAY COOKE.
Jay Cooke A Cos. have assurances from
their London house and correspondents
of other cities that their bills will be pro
tected.
THE WASHINGTON BANKS.
| Washington, Sept. 18. —There is quite
| a rush on the Washington City Savings
i Bank, and a slight demonstration on the
i Freedmen's Bank. Both give assurances
■ of their ability to meet all demands. The
| Freedmen’s Savings Bank report they had
this morning SBO,OOO, of which only $20,-
000 had been drawn. There are about
seventy-five persons in line at this bank.
1 No excitement about other banks.
PHILADELPHIA FAILURES.
Philadelphia, Sept. 19.—Suspended:
j H. H. Douglass, Bayard, J. H. Yerks,
j John L. Loyd and Gilbough, Bond A Cos.
All small, except Gilbongbi, which was
connected with Jay Cooke A Cos.
FISK AND HATCH’B SUSPENSION.
New York, Sept. 19.—Fisk A Hatch
say their suspension is temporary. Their
advances are upon the Chesapeake A Ohio
Railroad and Central Pacific. They ex
pect to resume as soon as the panic ceases.
The office of Fisk A Hatch is strongly
guarded by police.
GOVERNMENT AID SOUGHT.
A prominent Wall street banker says if
the movement now making to get the
Secretary of the Treasury to come to their
relief with ten millions should fail, there
will be a general suspension of banks and
others.
MEETING OF BANK PRESIDENTS.
A meeting of bank Presidents is now
being held at the Clearing House.
MORE SUSPENSIONS.
Yernam A Hoy suspended.
E. D. Randolph A Cos., bankers of the
' Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and W.
H. Conner, announced their suspension.
Jacob Little A Cos. have failed.
LATEST.
The police prevented any but members
to enter the Stock Exchange.
The Clearing House appointed a com
mittee of five to prepare a plan to relieve
the present difficulty at two o’clock.
Better feeling in Western Union, now
The rnn on the Union Trust Company
is subsiding.
More or less crowds are around every
paying teller’s desk in the city.
George B. Alley, whose suspension has
already been announced, is widely known
in connection with fast horses, having
raised Dexter; says his suspension is caus
ed by the general decline in stocks, and
principally VanderbiK stocks. His lia
bilities are not large and he expects to
resume soon.
Greenleaf, Norris A Cos., an old and
wealthy stock firm, and President Calhoun
of the Fourth National Bank, say, “We
have no reason to fear anything.”
President Tappane, of the Gallatin
National Bank, says he believes the better
banking institutions will weather the
storm.
Secretary Carlton, of the Union Trust
Company, says that Company is perfectly
solvent, and will meet all demands. It
is reported that the Company had $700,000
on deposit last niglit.
Mr. Fahn, of Jay Cooke A Cos., said in
an interview this evening, that the firm
hoped to pay all liabilities. Mr. Garland,
another member of the firm, says the
London house vill have a large surplus
after the payment of all debts, unless
there is a great shrinking in value of their
securities.
There is a rumor on the street that
the Government will come to the rescue
to-morrow by buying five million bonds.
The grain and provision markets are
all unsettled by the Wall street panic.
State and railroad bonds and city banks
shares have been practically neglected,
while dealing in railroad stocks is contin
ued on an enormous scale. This after
noon the principal transactions have been
in the Pacific Mail Company and Hudson,
Western Union, Rhode Island, Wabash,
St. Paul and Northwestern, Lake Shore
and Erie. Outside purchasers continue
in considerable numbers on a declining
market for investments, which aided in
straightening the market this evening.
Assistant Treasurer Hillhou.se says it is
in the power of the National Banks to
avert further disaster, and they will un
doubtedly do so.
government aid.
At a quarter past three o'clock this
evening the Post was informed that Sec
retary Richardson will offer to buy live
to ten millions of five-twenties to-morrow.
This will throw into the banks legal tender
notes for a large amount. The currency
balance in Treasury is nearly all continu
ed of legal tenders. With the panic thus
checked a calm with low rates for money
will follow.
RELIEF FOR SHREVEPORT.
Baltimore. Sept. 19. The Grand
Lodge of Odd Fellows sent four hundred
dollars to Shreveport.