University of South Carolina Libraries
-*? ? ,? ? - ? t TWO'DOLLARS PER ANNUM, y GOD Js^NT) O?fe COUNTRY. ALWAYS IN ADVAN CE Y?LfJME 11. SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 10, 1877. NUMBER yd THE ERRATIC "WRIGHT. i . . . \ . Ant Interview lvltH Hi? litill Dozcd Black Justice. mfc He Did and Wby Ho Didn't? Tho ' Flight from Columbia?Whipper on Guard. Oh Saturday the vigilant Columbia correspondent of the Journal of Com ntert? " telegraphed the following information : "Mystery as to whereabouts of Er ratic Wright solved at last. This morning he left here per buggy, in company with Whipper, and went to Hopins', at which place lie took the train going towards Charleston. He stopped nt Branchville, but whether he resumetl his advance upon Charles ton' or "wont towards A ugusta is not Known. It is not thought probable that lie \vill go to Augusta and stop *tt the'Plan tor's Hotel." iiujiTiicci a jynor.. -'As: soon as the news reached the. city,' a ? reporter for the Journal <>f ^oinmrrcr. was sent iii quest of the er ratib 'Judge.' He seen in the ?afternoon coming out of the depot of the South Carolina Railroad in comp any with Whipper. The pair were speodily put in a close carriage and | driven away. The carriage, however, traveled faster t! tin the reporter, and the'Justice and quasi Judge could not be* tracked. Yesterday the reporter Tailed nt the former residence of W'lrippcr, ami inquired for '?the ?Judge." lie was informed by the lady of the house, Mrs. Rollins, that *'Judge" Whipper diu nut reside, thure. Altera pleasant conversation, the in formation was elicited thai. Whipper bud probably gone t > iJeitufurt, and that' when he was in the city, lie usu all icsi led at No. l.'j M?iitnL'n'1 street. At ' No. 13 Motiti.gneslrcet Whipper vsis found at home. Me looked\v'e'ary Mi<l faiigucd, hul consented to receive 1 lie reporter, who at oueuentered into bt's business. an'ixikiiyikm- v.itii Tin-: kkkpkk. j Reporter?Judge Wright caine down from Columbia with you last night? Whipper (with a smile)?Well? ;ye's. ? Reporter?Can T see him ? Whipper (with a double smile) ? "Well, I don't know, but if you will call back in an hour I will he able to (let you know positively. So at the end of an hour the repor ter-relumed, but Whipper was not. in. Repeated calls were innde with the fame result. But perseverance must ?succeed, and in this instance porsever nnce succeeded even in finding the er ratic Judge. When the twilight had ?deepened into darkness ami the street Ininp? which ought to have boon lit, ?were not lighted, Whipper was found; ?and Wupper was in a gracious hum-n ?or. He stated that he hud seen Judge Wright, and that die hull-dozed jus tice had no objection to ?ceing a ro jrojler* So Whipper put on his bat, seized his slick, and started gut on the hunt with the reporter. It was a long tramp through many miserable streets ami "dark lanes. During the hunt, Whipper stated that the Judge would leave for Washington on the evening train, and in the course of tlio conver cation- ex pressed the opinion that Mr, Chamberlain was Governor, and that be aud; Mr. Packard would he rccog nized by President Hayes. After many windings and turnings, Wright's nsylnm was reached. It proved tobe the residence of the Rev. E/'J:'Adams, a colored preacher, who lives in Amtierst street. A ring at the door boll brought two dogs and a col orcd woman to the door, and the re porter was ushered into a sitting room, where he found tho erratic jun tice enjoying spiritual consolation at the hands of the pam>u. lie looked punny but greeted his interviewer with a smile and a cordial shake of the hand. Some little time was con snmed in looking around mid taking the bearings, the parson meantime bin ploying himself in lighting a kerosene lamp.?;? Wright then invited the ro porter into the parloi ami the light 4*. . ."' was accordingly carried to that apart meat. The Judge seemed to be very shaky and was evidently unwilling to allow himself to he trusted alone with a reporter. So ho remarked on entering the parlor : "I suppose you have no objections to Whippier being present?" No objection* having been offered, Whippcr, who was near tho entrance of tho door, was invited to come in. And so tho keeper entered. tub intkhvikw. Judge Wright talks with a lisp. His appcrance and his spaech gave clear indications of the bender that hp has been on. In simple plain uuvarn ishecl English he was on the verge of delirium tremens. Ho spoke slowly and as deliberately as possible, and several times during the interview had to be prompted .by bis keeper. Ho consented to be interviewed upoll the condition that his statements shook! be published entire without any thing being added to or taken from them. These preliminaries having been ar ranged the inierview h=?gan, the Judge and the reporter sitting at lhatuhl e and the keeper, Whippcr, sitting on a chair a little to one .side. ilfcportcr?Well, Judgo, where arc you going? Wright?(Stammering)?that's a difficult question to answer. Probably from bere to Washington. Reporter?What arc you going to Washington for? Wright?Well, you sec, Milliter Juthtiee Willard, of the Thuprcnic pourti suggested to me on the 27th ? no, the 2!st, of February ? that I bad better go to Washington and spend about three weeks. He timid I could take the brief and papers with me, and write my opinions thorn nud boot miinieatc with him by mail. ( A Io g pause). On Wednesday we met again, und adjourned until Friday ? lo'inc j sec?Friday ? no. 1 don't remember I the rial e. I At this point Whipp t interrupted, and with llie nssistai ce of the repor lor refreshed the Judge's memory as to dates. Whereupon the Judge con tinned Iiis somewhat confused state incut. '1 be day before the signing of the order ? hj'iue see?the 20 Ii, AI ither Just it Ii Willard suggested to ma t!ie propriety of going to Washington or to Florida: II? thought Florida would be the host because the Chief Justice would be able to go there shortly, and he would like to have me there lo consult. After the court ad journed be said I might leave that night. I asked him what about the court. lie said I needn't attend cmrt, as ho would adjourn it from day to day until I returned. I con eluded that I would take his advice and go to Washington, and I didn't attend court on Friday. Reporter?But why did you sign the order for the release of T:lda Nor ris, winch was a recognition of IIa nip ton as Governor ? Wright?I signed the order. You sec the case closed on Friday night previous, and th?. court adjourned from Friday till Monday. Mith?r Willard .sent for me on Saturday to come to the consultation room. lie asked inc that there should be a de cision at once. I replied that I hadn't given a thought to tho case yet. Wo met on Monday and he ngaiu asked for a decision. 1 differed with him slating that two days in a habeas cor pus case were equivalent toa convic tion (the Judge's own words.) On the 27tli he presented an order lo he signed. 1 said I was hot prepared lo sign an ordor, General Conner was in the room at ti c time; he never loses his temper; but Justice Willard docs. I said to Willard you must wait until Saturday, and by that time I can put my views upon paper. Gen eral Cornier arose from his seat and said in very solemn tones : "There have been two govern incuts in this State running along sido hy sido, without bloodshed. The people, have been restrained so far, but I fear they connot he restrained- much longer un less this matter is settled.'' He then went out. Willard then nrose in a passion, and said : "I havedono all I could nud if bloodshed come? I shall be clear." He started to go out, and when lio got to the door, T said : ?? Wait a mom out," and I then said that I would promise to sign an order to discharge the prisoner, provided he would not file the order untile Satur day morning, and that would givo mo time to prepare an opinion, lie con sented to this, and I signed tho order for the discharge of tho prisoner. On Thursday I got my opinion done and sent it by the clerk of the Court to Judgo Willard, saying to him that I had-come to a different conclusion' from what the order expressed, and asking hint to send my opinion hack I (the Judge's words again) that I j might cancel it: Whippcr?You m2an tho order, not "opinion. Wright?Yes, of course I mean the order. It was not sent, I ordered Mr. Boozer to tile the cancellation. It- porter?Do 3*011 think that the cancellation revokes the order? Wright?Of course. This is no new practice. Tli'n order w;?s not out of the possession of the court. Tili: SA1.AKY OKAu. Reporter?Well, Judge, what did you sign tho original order for ? An ominous silence and an ex change of glancos between the Juge his keeper. Reporter?How about the drawing of your salary from tho Hampton treasury ? Wright (quickly)?I deny it. When General Hnmptan was first inaugurated, he sent a letter, stating t hat he was ready to pay the salaries of the judges. General Hagood sent me a letter, and I called at his oHieo and staled to him that I would not re reive ii c u 1 a i-y ft?V>m oilliur *g?VV*crn incut. Afterwards I had a consulta tion with the Chic I Justice and with Willard, and the view that we arriv ed at was, that if an order was drawn upon the Comptroller General and Treasurer, it could he disposed of and that it wouldn't he deciding who was Comptroller General or Treasurer; so 1 concluded to take, the money. 1 followed their advice and drew an order for one month's salary, took it to the bank and bad it placed to my credit. 1 drew two such orders and the hanks received them. A V I-It Y Till? STATEMENT. Reporter?What have you to say about that reported interview with Governor Hampton ? Wright?Well, you see I was in formed by several persons, white and colored, that there was a scheme on foot lo assassinate me (this with a glance at I bo keeper), and I was also told that General Hampton possessed valuable information that he would iinpar*. if I called. I slated that I feared if I called, I might bo miscon strued. (Here there was a brief pause.) During the recess I went up and called on General Hampton. I stated to him that I had been inform ed that I was to be assassinated. lie said "fear no danger; you will be pro tected." I said "no matter how this case is decided 1 will have to leave Columbia.'' I thou mentioned a rum or that I had been bribed to sell my decuion in bis hi vor for 8100,0l?0. He answered that I knew that that was false. Reporlor?Didn't you tell Gover nor Hampton that you knew he bad been elected ? W'igbt?I disrememher exactly the words; but I said something about the election. I said there "was no doubt that he bad received the largest number of votes, but nothing about tho legal points involved. Here the judge slopped, and the subject deeming to be disagreeable the I reporter determined to change the conversation. Tilt: FLIGHT IMtOM COl.UMJUA . Reporter ? How long are you going to stay in Washington? This was a poser?it was evidently not provided for, and it rcquirod time for 'deliberation and ridloctiou. Final ly ho answered, I don't know how long I shall stay there; but I don't think I shall stay as long as Willard desires?or suggested. The conversation next tu mod upm the mysterious llight from Colum'iia, via. Hopkins'. Rcporter^SVIiy did you and Mr. Whippcr lejivc Columbia in such a roundabout way? Wright?It whs reported to me on the best Hiithority (and the speech was delivered like a school boy's re citation") thai:'there was a plan on foot to keep ni'^from going to Washing ton. ' ' Reporter|SWliat kind of plan? Wright-T-(hesitaling)-?-1 didn't hear dire otlyfe ; Whippec,?You knew that all the trains wero guarded ! Wrigh t?'Yes, the trains were all guarded, anil' a. utiiiihor of persons were seen about my room during the night to prov'ent'my lcavihg; Accord ing to my t'advice I kept in doors. When I went out in the morning I found that there were men outside; who whistled, as if giving signals. Ar rangemcnts^had been made for mc to go to Charleston night before last, just, before we reached the depot the train had loll/; l/onml North. That's the iva?oh"^\vo weht to Hopkins' to take the train. " This explanation was not very clear, I but it wn.S t_JlO best that could be oh ! mined from^tho . .bull-dozed Justice with the .assistance of Whipper. A IijiOAI. Ol'INI.OX. THo Reporter next asked' tlio! Jiis lice whetbe'r*''die' thought that his rc cantation . amounted to anything in law. .y ,-? i Wright?Vvjhiuk I can revoke my decision. Courts have the power to change or alter their opinions. Tim order had 'nd^ herfi. hied. \Y hippcr-^Teil him (the Reporter) i\,?h i,?nuuO *f?'Tl?e rfTrf'?;V>7st?r..ljad.??ot. been filed; that, the clerk of the Supreme Court told you so? Wright?Ye?, lie told m : s >. At this point the interview termi iiaicd, as the Judge wasiiboiit to start f:n tliat jaunt to W.Vshingion. Ho said, in parting, that In; would like to have said something ab ml nis repprtCf; intoxication, bitt he didn't feel well enough,and didn't have time just now. Considering this a delicate questioni in view of the apparently delicate- con lition of the Judge's health, tho reporter refrained from pursuing the inquiry, and was usher ed to the door, while the Judge was remanded to the custody of the par son, who escorted him to the depot? if ho went to Washington?which is not at all certain. Wright is evidently in an imbecile state of mind, and during his stay here was under the Consta it espion age of Whipper and Adams. Whether ho will be sent It) Boatfibrt or Wash ington, or whether he will be hurried away to the sunny clime of the land of (lowers is not known. Whipper stated that he would leave for Wash ington on the 9:15 train last evening, but it is not probable that the keep ers of tho poor Judge'will let his whereabouts be known. That myster ious "plan ol assassination," of which the Judge did hoi. "hear directly,',' seems to have demoralized him en tirely. ON THE WAR PATH. A sTvjage Panther llrcak* IS is I hirst. Consternation Amumr Spectators?A i fierce Struggle With An I'.xciled Wild llcast?bra cry of the Keeper?final Capture of the Panther. An exciting episode occurred at iho Winter quarters of Howes' Great London Circus and Sungor'sJSnglish Menagerie yesterday morning. As was stated in the Vhroniclt ami Senth nil, sonic time siuoc, the animals in the menagerie are fed once over} day on raw beef. This event has daily attracted largo crowds of our citizens, curious to witness tho inter esting spectacle. Yesterday the feed ing took place about II o'clock, and as usual thoro woroa number of people present?principally ladies and child ren. The beef was distributed to tho ani mals by Air. Julius Ihirton, the assis tant keeper. In going the rounds Mr* Barton finally reached tho cage containing the line, beautiful but treacherous looking Texas panthers Apparently ravenous with hunger, these fierce creatures jumped wildly from side to side of the cage, which shook fearfully under the ticmendous hounds. Placing the tray {villi (he meat on the ground in front of the cage, Mr. Barton stuch his pieh-fork into a large pieco of meat, and pushed it between two of the bars. One of the panthers Instantly Gha^ticd I Tho beef with teeth and claws, and pulled with all his might upon it. The pieco was rather larger than usual, or if got crosswise the bars. The panther pulled hard, growling ficrco'y tho while, and tho meat gradually squeezed into the cage. But the tre mendous strain had boon too much for one of the bars. Dr. j. !K, Washington, who was among the j spectators, saw the bar suddenly give way, start from its socket at the bot J loin on the cage, and bend.inwards in such a manner that the panther could force its way out. In a moment he called to the keeper, who was bend iug down for tho purpose of picking up another piece of meat to give to one ol' the other panthers, "D?ok out, Barton, that panther is:about to get out." Barton; however, who was busily engaged; did-not hear him, and in ah instant almost the panlhcr had forced its way out, jumped on the ground beside the keeper and GiiASi'ep a Piece of Meat. A wild scene of terror and con. fusion immediately ensued. Women and children screamed nud ran in every direction, strong men turned palo,lOml (he animals in.the. cage, looked SirnTw?i$Ej?&?t.: ? A.3 soon as the panther touched the ground Mr. Barton realized tho sitiia tion, and with admirable presence of mind and a cool bravery possessed by few, threw liimsclf.upon the back of the. animal, put bis bands around its throat and endeavored lo choke it into subjection. But tho ferocious beast having now tasted liberty and ? beul, was not to bo. so easily sub du cd. Turning over it engaged in a fierce tussle with Mr.] Barton. By a liberal use of teeth and claws it finally compolled the keeper to release it, and it then started tor tho opposite side of the shed. Mr. Bartop, who had sprung to his feet, followed quick ly and grasped the animal by the tail before it bad proceeded many steps. Tho panther^ surprised hy this novel method of attack, dashed through tho shrinking crowd of people in the in closure, scattering them right and left. Mr. Button held on manfully to the beast's caudal appendage, not w ithstanding its struggles to got loose, until it ran under a wagon, when he was compolled to let go. Almost im mediately, howi ver, tho animal came out again, ami was once more taokled by Mr, Barton. A second time the panther rushed thiough the crowd, making no attempt to molest anyone, being too closely pressed by Mr. Bar ton, who chiiig to its tail with a firm giip. This lime the panlhcr ran out into the yard next to ELJis street, in rear of thJ shed where the cages aro kept, dragging Mr. Barton over the ground after it. The in w furious beast proceeded rapidly to the end of the yard, and Tried to Cm.mii a Tk'ee Close to the brick wall. In this at tempt, however, it was foiled hy Mr. Barton, who held on tonaciously to its tail. By this time Mr, Gco. Arsteing still', the keeper of the elephants, an d Mr. Priseo, the chief keeper of the animals, who had been endeavoring to cnplurc the truant, managed to get a rope around its neck and thus choke it into subjection. It was then dragged to the cage, wiiich was quick ly made Secure after the panther's es cape, and preparations mado to re store it to its old home. The other four pnnthcrs, after persistent cllbrts by tho attendant'', in the way of heat ing and punching, were made to go into the -end of the cage farthest from the door. They were then barricaded at that end hy placing hoards through tho bars. This done tho door was opened and the captured panther thrust into the cage. Aftar it was p a in it resisted lor sonic lime all < l!'jrti to remove the ropes which bound if, and it was not until it was choked nearly to death that this could be ac complished. It was then found that the panther was almost lifeless, and prompt measures had to bo resorted to in order to restore it. Copious drenching* of cold water a<id hard rubbing finally "brought it around" all right, and the animal once more paced its cage a wiser if not a better panther. When the panther first sprang from its cage one of the others attempted to follow it, and succeeded it getting its head and shoulders through tho opening, but the prompt action of the, attendants, who belabored it over the head, forced it back. The fact that the raw meat was within Us grasp when it first reachc 1 the ground in all probability preven ted the panther from seizing a child from among the number who were in tho crowd of spectators. As it was everybody except Mr. Barton escaped with nothing mote serious than a bad scare. Mr. Barton was somewhat bruised in his encounter with the ani mal. He certainly displayed remark able presence of miud, coolness and bravery throughout the whole affair. ?Chronicle and fo-ntinct. His A(;n.?'-Oh, you say this gentleman was about fifty-five," said. Canning to a pert young woman in the witness box, "and I suppose now you consider yourself to be a pretty good iudge of people's age, eh ? Ah, just so. Well, now, how old should you-, take me to be?" "Judging by your appearance, sir," replied tlie Witness, "T should tako you to. bo about sixty; by your questions I should suppose you were about six teen." Parties desiring guano delivered on or before 1st April can make arrangements langem eats with nie liy calling in early. Peruvian Guano 5,1 impor ters hands is net cash, and 1 shall Jill tirst all luts engaged on stich terms. I am rc eeiving same by said vessel from New York. Pl10.sx3l1.aLe and Acid. at lowest prices. Sngai'f?, Coffee, Tobacco Family Flour, Plows, * Steel &c; always on hand Early Rose, G oodrich and Peerless Seed Potatoes al.-o ISctl 1$tint Proof Oat.S. J. L Hamilton Kussell Street next to Cornelian's. 1U11 L 1 ovcrnment will be recognized at JC Washington before long. This cheering news induced me to pur chase one of the finest lot of HORSES AND MULES ever brought iuto this Market. And as times will grow better under tho People's Governor, I have put my prices down, and can now accommo date the public upon the most rea sonable terms- No matter what stylo of Horse or Molen wanted I vouch I can fill the bill. Call on mo at my stables at .Slater's Hotel, E. R SLATER. The Copartnership heretofore existing between the undersigned under the firm name of T. Kohn & Brother is this day diiHolved by mutual coiisont. The business will he continued by Tlierdore Kohn in his own name, and for his own account, and bo therefore, alone, w ill sign the late firm name in liquidation. TIIKORPOUK KOHN, HENRY KOHN. Orungehurg, December 12th 1S7G. dee 1(J 8m A CARD. Pr. J. G. WAN NAM A.K Kit is hi post \e*don of tho Itcccipta and Prescription Books of the late Or. K, J. Olivoros. All p*ist?us desiring to get any of the above ?i v'paiations or Renewal of Prescriptions! run do so by calling on Dr. WANNAMAKr.lt, At his Drug Store. ang 21?3m ?