Colonel James Lusk had been a prominent, conspicuous and influential representative of the Southern aristocracy of ante-bellum days.

He enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community in which he lived,--especially of the colored people.

He, like thousands of others of his class, had identified himself with the Republican party.

There was in that community a Republican club of which Sam Henry, a well-known colored man, was president.

When it was rumored,--and before it could be verified,--that Colonel Lusk had decided to cast his fortunes with the Republican party Henry appointed a committee of three to call on him and extend to him a cordial invitation to appear before the club at its next meeting and deliver an address.