The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, February 02, 1886, Image 1
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VOL. 2. ABBEVILLE, S. C., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1886. NO. 22.
'"Immoral Revelry."
(News and Covirior.)
Atlanta, Ga , January 20.?The trial
of the llev. J. C?. Armstrong, which
begins here to-morrow, will be of more
than usual interest. The charges against
Mr. Armstrong are "humoral revelry''
and "conduct unbecoming to a minister
of the gospel."
THK PltKAt'Hlilt's HISTORY.
Some years ago there appeared in
Wheeling, W. Va., a man who said he
- bad been educated in St. Louis by a rich
uncle, who wanted him to become a
^ ' Presbyterian minister. This did not
suit him, and he became an Episcopalian.
When he came to Wheeling he
preached several times on trial, and was
finally secured as pastor of the lOpisco...i
r>? ?i, xr? ....... 1,
|JUt VJIIUI^II mvi nv n ar> ?\nu w u Ui)
the ltev. James G. Armstrong. In appearance
he was a remarkable man, and
at this time?early in U?GG?he possessed
a manner that many ofj his congregation
thought was entirely too theatrical.
TAKEN FOR JOUX WILKES BOOTH.
A newspaperman in Wheeling named
Mann conceived the idea at that time
that Armstrong was none other than the
culebrated Wilkes Booth,, who was reported
to have died the year previously,
The witnesses who declared they saw
Booth's death, Mr. Mann believed were
deceived. The ltev. Mr. Armstrong
was just about Booth's age. lie had
long, glossy hair of raven hue that fell
^ over tos neck. His head was of the
same shape as Booth's; he limped, and
had a scar on the back of his neck, and
Mr. Mann came to the conclusion that if
Mr. Armstrong was not Booth it was the
most remarkable of coincidences. In
18G6 Mr. Armsrong married. Ilis wife
wusaladyof great culm re and refinement,
and a lovely daughter, Miriam.
was born to thoin.
A SCENE IN" ItlCHMOSn.
Mr. Armstrong left Wheeling and
vr*%nt to Richmond to acccpt the pastor-!
ate of the aristocratic "Monumental*!
Church" in that city. Here his striking
resemblance to Booih was commented
on, for Booth's face was a familiar one
. in Richmond. One day while Mr. Armstrong
was at home a gentleman came to1
the rectory and was ushered into tlie j
library. In a manner pregnant with
importance and secresy he asked Mr.
Armstrong to grant hitn a private interview.
The request was complied with,
and the stranger at once said :
-"You are Wilkes Rontli the assassin?
I knew you the moment 1 saw you. You
need not deny it, for you cannot deceive |
u?e. 1 am a friend and will not betray]
your secret. I was in thorough sympathy
with the Lost Causo." J
Mr Armstrong was very much disconcerted
by the man's excited manner, and
he endeavored to explain that the resemblance
was only the results of the visitor's
imagination. Rut the more lie explained
the more the man declared he
was Booth, until finally Mr. Armstrong
had t.o summon the police to get rid of
his unpleasant visitor.
1'UEACIirXO JN ATI.AXTA.
When the Rev. R. C. Foute left At
Innta Mr. Armstrong catnc on to this
city and took charge of St. Philip's
Church on Washington street, one of
the high-toned avenues of Atlanta. His
fame had preceded him and he became
at once a social lion, and was welcomed
into the most exclusive circles*. His
wife and daughter were highly accomplished
and Miss Miriam soon became a
great society favorite
8HAOOWKD IN CINCINNATI.
Last September Mr. Armstrong left
Atlanta to take a trip North. He spent
some weeks away from home and returned
by way of Cincinnati. While
he was in that city he was met by Mr.
Mann, of Wheeling, who instantly recognized
Mr. Armstrong. Mann was
employed as a reporter for one of the
Cincinnati afternoon papers, and noticing
something peculiar in Mr. Armstrong's
manner he camo to the conclusion
that the clergyman was slightly intoxicated.
and that he had started out
"to paint the town red." As thisi prom
iscd a racy sensation Mann followed the
tho clergyman, and in the' papers next
morning was a full account of the reverend
gentleinan'frwanderings, giving the
names of seven or eight houses of illi
fame ho had visited during the evening
I together with other details, which will
appear probably at tho trial. Copies of
I the paper reached Atlanta, and the city
r i?,/~ waa thrown into a tumult of excitement.
Copies of the journal containing the
t
scandalous story sold nt fabulous prices,
ami people flocked lo the various news
stands to buy. It was the sensation of
the hour. The vestry of St. Philip's
held a meeting and a committee was appointed
to go at once to Cincinnati and
inquire into the matter. This was done
and the special committee filed a report
exonerating Mr. Armstrong from all
blame ; but the clergyman demanded a
trial before the llishop. and his request
was acceded to.
TIIYIX? TO SAVE A LOST WOMAN*.
The story Mr. Armstrong tells is quite
as remarkable as any part of this whole
remarkable case. His defence, it is understood,
will be that he had been to
dinner with a friend, and while there
had taken a glass or two of wine, as was
his usual custom. After dinner he had
learned that the daughter of a very dear
friend, who lives in Canada, was then
stopping at a house of ill-fame in Cincinnati,
and he determined to seek her
out and try if he could not induce her to
return to a life of rectitude and virtue.
To this end he hired a carnage and visited
several bagnios of reputation, but
not uniil he had gone to eight or nine
.li.l fi.wl *1... 1.S 1- 4 r
I uiu Iiu mm LIIU uujvtl Ul IMS Ssl'UrUIl. .AItcr
a long talk with her ho succeeded in
showing her the sinfulness and error of
her ways, and made her promise to leave
the place forever. lie claims to have
given the girl money and to have sent
her back to her friends in Canada where
she is now living. Dr. Armstrong, when
requested to give tho girl's name, declined
positively, on the ground that she
was now living a pure life, that no one
knew of her past, and that if he were to
divulge her name it might lead to her return
to a life of shame. He would rather,
he said, suffer himself than that the
daughter of his dearest friend should be
brought to sin again, after her repentance.
THK COITHT OK TIIK CHURCH.
Bishop Beckwith, of Georgia, and
Mr. Armstrong arranged the detaftff tof
the trial which begins to-inorrow before
a Court of five clergymen and deacons.
The principal prosecutor will be Mr.
Zed Harrison, clerk of the Supreme
Court of Georgia, who is a deacon of
St. Philip's and who is believed to feel
a strong personal dislike to the clergyman
who is to he tried. Public opinion
outside tho church, at least, is decidedly
with the defendant, and the expressions
of belief in Mr. Armstrong's purity
come from men who are looking upon
uie jinaner uisimeresieuiy. in tin*
church opinion is very much divided
and the opposing factions nre about
equal in point of nuuihers. 'J'he trial
will last several days and a ho?<t of witnesses
will be examined, the most important
of whom will be the reporter,
Mann. Mr. Armstrong's action in declining
to have the young woman in the
case summoned to appear before the
ecclesiastical tribunal has put many of
the best people in the city on his side,
as the action was one of decided heroism.
AHMSTHOXCf AXI> 111S FA Mil. Y.
M?\ Armstrong's family do not seem
to regard the trial as calculated in any
way to impair the clorgyman's reputation.
Mrs. Armstrong remains in Florida,
where she has been visitinc frionda
since Cc:ober. Miss Mi iam is in Atlanta
with her father. Mr. Armstrong
is bright and cheerful, mul thinks that
he will We fully vindicated.
In connection with the approaching
trial there has heenscino little comment
created by the fact that Miss Armstrong
has been a leader at most of the grand
balls and gcrmnns given here this winter,
while her father has been contributing
a series of articles on Shakespeare
to one of the Atlanta newspapers. This
has scandalized some of the ehurch
people, who think the whole family
should have gone into sackcloth and
ashes the moment the trouble became
public, There are a few who insist that
Mr. Armstrong really is Booth, and some
who laugh at the i'loa. Most people,
however, simply shake their heads and
say they will let matters shape themselves
more fully beforo they render
any opinion.
Unless some unforeseen proceeding
occurs the trial will begin at 0 o'clock
to-morrow merning at the chapel connected
with St. Philip's Church.
Mr. Jos. L. Keitt went oat hunting
.1 ??i- ?i > --
vuu unjr nwi, wuvii anu kiiicci /iy partridges.
He is no doubt one of the
best shots in the country, in fact 73
partridges a day is not bad businew.?
Newberry Herald-Nvw*.
The Trial.
Ati.anta, Ga., .Inn. 27.?The ecclesiastical
court to try I)r. Armstrong lias
j boen in session and yesterday this morning
up to 11 o'clock, 'vhen it adjourodn
until 3:30 this afternoon for conference
and consultation. The members of the
court are not lawyers, and while very
broad latitude is allowed under the
rules in the admission of evidence, .yet
the courf, while an ecclesiastical one.
j desires to coniform to the rules of evi}
dence as far as possible. There have
been two very protracted and animated
contests over the admission of evidence,
which have puzzled the court very
much. The counsel on each side have
argued the points with fullness and
ability, anil with a citation of numerous
auuionues, nnu the arguments
and authorities were so evenly
balanced that a decision one unpracticed
in the law was very difficult. The
court has been very desirous to do
right.
AN UMl'IltK 8UOOESTED.
One of the points was submitted to
an eminent and learned member of the
judic'nry, who informed the court what
was the rule of law. The second point,
as warmly contested, the court felt some
delicacy in submitting to the same
authority. It was almost certain that
the legal contests would arise all
during the trial, and it was deemed better
to have the court select a legal urnpire
who would bo acceptable to both
sides, and so the body adjourned to
confer upon such a selection. Col. W.
Hammond, of Thomasville, was mentioned,
and it was agreed that he would
he an excellent umpire, but it would
take thirty-six hours to get him here,
and the delay was undesirable. Some
lawyer was selected for this dutv, and
the investigation will proceed. The
trial is being conducted with vigor and
coolness by both^ the prosecutor and
defenccyJU'? . m . VUa
proceedure is allowed to be a witness,
and has been on the stand telling his
own account of the matter.
WHEHEON THK MATTEIt HINGES.
The evidence ottered has been main1y
affidavits produced by the prosecution.
Mr. Munn, of the Cincinnati
Post, is here to testify. He wrote up
the account for that paper, and bore
heavily on l>r. Armstrong. The affidavit
of the proprietor of Hunt's hotel,
where the Doctor stopped in Cincinnati,
has been rand. As far as can bo learned.
the matter hinges upon Dr. Armstrong's
explanation of what is open to
the construction of being injudicious
conduct. The defence claims that an
indiscreet thing was done with a good
motive ; that actions bearing a questionable
aspect were inspired by a generous
purpose, creditable to his heart.
Your readers will see how couiplicatod
a question the trial becomes, and how
much margin there is for division of
views.
an augusta man for umpirk.
Latkr.?It is understood that a wellknown
lawyer of Augusta has been telegraphed
for to act as legal guide to the
Reverend Judges. A strong effort will
be made to impeach the character of
Mr. Mann, the Cincinnati editor who
poached on Dr. Armstrong. It is asserted
by Dr. Armstrong's friends that
Mann passed under two names in his
life time, though on the other side Mr.
Mann's friends give a plausible explanation
of that fact.?Axtyutfa Chronicle.
Salisbury's Downfall.
(Augusta Chronicle.)
Salisbury's government has been
short-lived. On the first trial of strength
in the House of Commons yesterday the
Tories were worsted, and the House was
_.1: 1 f-.V! rni . ?
n'ljuuriiuu 111 uumuBion. j ne division was
on a motion to amend the reply to the
Queen's address, three hundred and
twenty-nine votes being enst for and
three hundred and fifty against the
government. The resignation of the
Ministry will probably be announced
to-morrow, and the next movo in the
complication* is eagerly watched by all
Europe. Tho London Daily JVetcM
-1 i. i? -
uuu* nut Kceni disposed to exult over
the Liberal triumph. It Hays that the
Conservatives pursued the best policy.
The Standard predicts that the next
Cabinet will be shorter lived than the
present. It says the outlook is gloomy.
Either England and Iroland will be torn
apart, or there will be a succession of
short-lived governments, weakening the
English executive at home and abroad'
Mr. Carlisle Criticised.
No incident of the session in the
House has caused so much discussion
among members and in the newspapers
as the displacement of Governor Curtin
from the Chairmanship of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs. The opinion
seems to prevail 011 all sides that by his
action in this matter Speaker Carlisle
has shown remarkable weakness of
character, and that Mr. Bayard has added
another to the long list of his blunders
as Secretary of State.
in the organization of the last Congress,
after a bitter contest for the
Speakership, in which Mr. Curtin had
been Mr. Randall's right hand man,
Speaker Carlisle made Governor Curtin
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. The appointment was received
with great favor in the House and was
recognised as one eminently fit to be
made. The work of the committee was
well done, aed many matters, such as
the French Spoliations bill, the Chinese
Indemnity fund, which had been pending
for many years, finally settled. The
committee was a strong one, and no bill
reported bv it failed to command the
support of a majority of the House.
At this session Mr. Carlisle received
the unanimous support of the Democratic
members in caucus. It was announced
as his intention to reappoint
such chairmen of his former committees
as had been re-elected. It became
known, however, that an effort was being
made to displace Governor Curtin
from his chairmanship and to give it to
Mr. Belmont. Mr. Belmont and his
friends were ueceasing in their efforts to
impress Secretary Bayard. Mr. Curtin
was ^quietly spending his holidays at
home in Bellcfonte, Pa., when the committees
were announced. Afr. Belmont's
name headed the list of members of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Curtin
being placed first on the moribund
J^iUliiuittce of lfcM^uqg. and.-Currency-.
There was groat indignation in the house
Afti?r n fine dnvt! Hulnv Mr P.' ~
? t vy??v??i. Ml
quiet dignity, declined his chairmanship.
The reason for his declination was of a
personal character. He is a veteran
politician and believes in that discipline
which requires a member of a party to
perform the service to which he is assigned
; but in this case, at an advanced
age of life, with no spccial familiarity
with the duties of the position, and
with a self depreciation rare among
Congressmen, he was unwilling to take
up anew study, and diftidtmt of his
ability to perform with credit the duties
of chairmanship of the committee.
The criticism on Speaker Carlisle is
directed to two points ; that he should
have allowed the Secretary of State to
bulldoze him into deposing Gov. Curtin
which he was very unwilling to do ; and
second, that he should have been so
wanting in courtesy as to fail to notify
Mr. Curtin in advance of his intended
action. Although the contrary story
has been circulated, it is a fact that the
Speaker did not inform Gov. Curtin of
his intention to make, him Chairman of
the Committee on Hanking and Currency,
and that at no time, either before
the announcement of committees, or after
it, did Mr. Curtin say he would
serve.
There has been a great deal of speculation
as to the motives by which Mr.
Bayard was inspired. Whatever the
motive, the fact apparently stands out
in bold relief, that the .Secretary of
State inteposed the full power of h!s
great position to force the Speaker, who
was most reluctant to yield, to depose
one of the leading members of the
House from a position he had honored,
which he desirod and to which by c6urtesy
and precedent, he was entitled.
In the corrupt days of the British
Parliament, when the government was
in trouble and needed a majority in the
Houso of Commons, it was common
practice to purchase votes of members
by promife of official positions. Thus
the independence, of the legislative and
executive branches became a myth ; if a
member of the executive branch of the
gofernment of our country can force
the Speaker to yield to his wish or ea>
price, then a qtestion much greator than
tuo uoai^Miiiuiiv ui mijr uiiu mail lU llljr
one place comes up. It in a grave question.
Let ur hope the independence of
the legialatfve and executive branches
will ever be maintained, and thri? the
> action of Mr. Bayard will call attention
' to an ovil to be averted in the future.
Mr. Belnmnt, who Rucceedii Mr. Curtin
in the Foreign Affairs Committee, is,
V >
,as is well known, the son of Augi
Bolmont, tho banker. Me is a slij
mnn, always well attired. and occup
n seat to the extreme right of 1
Speaker. lie has been in Congress t
terms, and, although his friends say
possesses much ability, he has failed
disclose it. He is ,ry quiet, associa
with no one in the llonse, and alwt
looks as if he were weary and disgust
with the paltry subjects discus>
there. In the summer he plays polo
Newport, lie is one of the %-gihl
youth" of New York without their f
habits ; ft profound statesman, porha
who keeps , his wisdom to himself,
perhaps ft New York man of fashi
out of his element. In his new po
tion hf will be required to show whai
in him. He does not resemble his
ther, the successful money-getter,
has, however, none of that qualit}' 1
father possesses in common with ma
of his race. He is a colorless person
Governor Curtin is one of the mi
eminent men in the country. Called
early life to high official position,
has for forty years been one of the lei
ing men of Pennsylvania. Tall, bar
some, of imposing presence, he is gift
with a vigorous intellect, genuine el
quence and a personal magnetism tl
attracts the friendship of all who km
him. He has been an omnivorous ret
er, and his official positions ha
brqught him into association with t
most intellectual men of both con
nents. He is now nearly seventy yei
old. and has served as superintend*
of Public Instruction, Secretary
State, Governor of Pennsylvania
Iwo terms. Minister to Russia, meml
of tho Constitutional Convention of 1
native State, and for the past four yoj
as a member of Congress.
His treatment by Mr. Carlisle if
strange commentary on the vicissitut
of politics, and leaves a feeling in I
party yvili take time .
Throughout the wholo period Mr. C
tin has behaved with dignity, and 1
received tho sympathy of the membc
with whom he js very popular.
All of which I respectfully subn
without comment.?J. U. K., in Auy\
in ahronicle.
The Confederate Seal.
(Frudcricktfburg, Va., News.)
When the Southern Confederacy v
about to collayse?after Richmond 1
been evacuated?as the vanguard of I
army was about leaving the city?a r
was made upon tho Government bui
ings. The Confederate archives, wh
were afterward sold to,the United Sta
Government, had been taken away, r
nearl}' everything of value had b<
either carried oil* or destroyed. C
John T. Pickett, who had charge of
remaining forces, found the great s
in the capitol building, and not wish
it to fall into the hands of the enei
put it into his pocket.
After the close of the war Col. Pick
went to Mexico, taking the seal with 1
where he remained for some years, s
amassed considerable property. 1
turning to this country in 1872 he stt
in Washington City, and commenced '
practice of law, where the writer I
came acquainted with him, and lean
this bit ef the history of the seal. "
saw the seal in the possession of C
Pickett on more than one occasion^
in 1873 Col. Pickett conceived 1
I 4. : *i_;~ ?i_._i.i_ *
juua ui turning mis vniunuiu iri-asi
into a blessing to the widows i
orphans of the Confederate Slat
Accordingly ho had quite a number
fac similes of the S(ial mad?, some
gold and some in silver, nicely mouni
and put in a handsome cnse. The g<
ones were sold at 47 and the silver 01
at $5. The proceeds of the sales w
placed in the hands of a large tirm
Washington, to be distributed nine
the widows and orphans of the I
Confederacy. He also wrote a lit
book, giving a history of the "Gr
Seal of the Confederate Mates," as w
as of Great Britian and other countri
(and which we had the pleasure
printing: and binding; for him,) the p
coeds of the Rales of which were put
the same channel.
From this book wo learn that the 8
was received in Kichmond just bef
the Confederate Government was fon
to leave that city. The seal, which *
solid silver, with ivory handle, was
graved by Mr. Joseph 8. Wyon, cY
engraver of her Majesty's, soals Lond
'England, and, with its fixtures, c
. ?122' 10s. Only some three or four i
pressions were ever made with the s
after its arrival In Richmond.
ust Menntor Hampton's Eulogy.
;ht Senator Hampton was tho second
ics speaker in the Senate to-day on the
he death of Vice-President Hendricks,
wo When death, lie said, laid its inexorable
he hand on Thomas A. Hendricks, Viceto
President of the United States, we had
tea a new and faithful illustration of tho
iys truth of the old adage that death lores
ted a shining mark. Hendricks was best
;ed loved wherever he was best known.
Crowred with almost every civic honor
led which a grateful people could bestow,
ust blessed by domestic happiness as ptr
ps. feet as it was beaut.ful, he did, indeed,
or otFer a shining mark to the insatiate
ion archer. When one of tho great actors
?i- in the political arena fell all animosties,
t is Senator Hampton said, were buried with
f'*- him. In the awful presence of death
He friends and foes alike strove to do justice,
his Kccognizing this fact* why could we
ny uot bclieyc that men might be honest
and conscientious in their beliefs even
Dst when they differ with us ? Scenes
in around the deathbed, Senator Hampton
he said proved the brotherhood of manid
kind and showed that one touch of naid
ture made the whole world kin. This
ed thought made deep impression on the
lo- speaker's mind, and that impression was
indellibly fixed by ^the extraordinary
?w spectacle at the funeral of Gen. Grant,
id- We all remember the imposing and
tve touching ceremonies on that mournful
he and touching occasion, and certainly no
iti- one who witnessed them could ever forirs
get them. But the feature that struck
?nt me as most significant, most impressive,
was the fact that among those who
Pa* * * *
,v" uor?3 tDe body of the great captain of
)cr the Union armies to the grave were
Confederate soldiers, who, a few brief
[irs years ago were his mortal enemies.
Democrats and Republicans?men who
' a wore the blue and men who wore the *
les grey?met at his tomb to pay the last
^ie tribute of respect to his memory. Hero
;ttk--*o-day, while" honoring otortfefves by
ur" doing honor to the memory of our late
188 Vice-President. If, then, our political
!rs? and personal animosities ceased at the
grave, should we not be tolerant and
charitable in the judgments we pass on
our contemporaries, even though they
are political opponents ? All of us,
sooner or later, must claim from the
living the tender recognition which we
bestow on the dead, for hearts
vas '
1Q(j "?like muffled drums are heating
Funeral marches to the grave."
the
aj(j Senator Hampton spoke very warmly
of the political and private virtues of
ich the dead Vice-President,
tOS SENATOR RANSOM'S SPEECH.
ind Senator Ransom belied it almost irapossible
at this time to n.easure the
Jol. worth of a great charater like that of
the late Vice-President. We were yet
e!*l too near his grave to write history,
'"g He had lived forty-three years con?y?
spicuously before the public gaze, and
had always proved himself the earnest,
:fctt faithful champion of the people's rights.
>i|n He had proved himself a lover of his
ind whole country and its liberties. The
K0- Southern States in this emergency felt
a deep, sincere and overflowing symlh?
patliy and sorrow of their Northern
^?" sisters. "Thank Almighty God," said
l?d Senator Ransom, "that the everlasting
W? covenant of our Union is established
in the hearts of all onr people, and that
through the clouds of this sorrow we
the can behold the peace that is to never be
ur? broken."
ind
est Kennedy and Yeumans.
* ?
of [Special Dispatch to the News and Courier.]
in "Warhinotox, January 26.?Repreted
sentutive Homphill accompanied by
old Gen. J. 1). Kennedy to-day had a
nes pleasant interview with the President
ere relative to appointing Gen. Kennedy
at consul general at Shanghai, China. The
>ng President as usual was non-committal,
ate although he did not discourage tbe apLtle
plicant. On the contrary he remarked
eat that Gen. Kennedy appeared to bo the
'ell best endorsed man for the place, and
ies, Representative Hemphill feels quite
ot confident or Uen. Kennedy's early apro
pointinent. All of the South Carolina
in delegation have, it is said, endorsed
' him.
v.
eal The Judiciary Committe of the Senore
ate has discovered some pretext upon
cod which to base an objection to the convas
ftrnmtion of District Attorney Youen
mans. All that can be learned on the
lief subject is that ho is in trouble. This
ot)> Committee under the leadership of
im- Sonator Edmunds, has determined to
leal make as mucn trouble tor the Adminis*
I trution as possible. it. m. u
' m
A ; : . ... lii .'i