Marion Monitor

Oct. 7, 1880

LOCAL NOTES

“CHITTY VS. NORRIS.”

Extract From the Argument of Hon. A.D. DUFF and J.W. HARTWELL, Counsel for the “Co. of Williamson” in the Circuit and Appellate Courts.

            In order to better understand the main features of the case of NORRIS against the county, which was an injunction to restrain the county from collecting the judgment at law against him and his bondsmen, we here present a few extracts from the argument of Judge A.D. DUFF upon the trial of the cause:

            “We will now call attention to another feature of the evidence of this witness, J.B. EDRINGTON. Does is sustain the charge in the ___? Does EDRINGTON swear that NORRIS did not return from Wiley’s with the deposits he went after? Not a word on that subject. Does he swear that CHITTY left the office before NORRIS returned. Not a word of the sort. Does he swear that he remained there till NORRIS returned? Not a word to that effect; but NORRIS went out after the money, and was to take the receipt when all was paid. His recollection is that no receipt was given at that time. His best recollection is that this payment was on the Special County Revenue. What is the recollection or memory of such a witness worth in regard to minute details who, according to this bill, had forgotten the transaction in gross for years.

            But John R. LITTLE, whose character and memory stand unblemished says receipts were always given; Remembers this settlement and says a receipt was given.

            It will be found from the calendar that Saturday was the 24^th of July, 1875, CAMPBELL swears he let NORRIS have the order be paid on this occasion between the 23d and 25^th of July, as he determines from the entries in his books. It will be seen from the Records in evidence that NORRIS has a credit of about $2,200 on the 24^th of July, 1875, the very day of the transaction; and on Saturday following (the 31^st  of July) he has another credit, as per receipt of that day, of $2,000. Now suppose, for arguments sake, that there had been a failure to obtain a receipt on the 24^th, for the pretended cause mentioned, the parties meet again on the next Saturday and another payment of $2,000 is made-could it be possible for NORRIS not to call to mind the transaction of the Saturday before; ordinary men wo’d have remembered such mistakes if there had been but five dollars involved much less $3000.

            Again from aught that appears this $2000 may have been the sum arranged on the Saturday before, is there is any truth in the statement of the failure to take receipt on that day as claimed in ___.

            We can but regard the attempt to bolster up this preposterous claim by evidence of the comparative pecuniary condition of NORRIS and CHITTY as almost too trivilous to notice. But even in this the force of evidence, all of which was offered by the complainants, is against them. From the crude mass of evidence on that branch of the case the following facts seem to stand out prominently:

            First: That for 20 or more years CHITTY has been known as a hard working industrious farmer, beginning the world it may with no other capitol that an honest heart and a strong and willing arm and an untarnished character.

            Second:  That he has always been a prudent and good manager, and a successful manager of and dealer in stock.

            Third: That at the time he was elected treasurer of Williamson County he owned a homestead, a bay stallion, fine bull and had plenty of other good stock on his farm.

            Fourth: (And as we might expect of such a man) at the end of his two terms as treasurer, in 1877, he probably had more stock about him that he had in 1873 when first elected.

*Jumps to eight for some reason*

            Eighth: That while NORRIS was not dissipated or of a speculative turn of mind yet of this cloud of witnesses introduced on his side no one tells us that he was a prudent good manager, or that he has ever been successful in any business or thing whatever.

            Ninth: That when the CRAIN boys, who were his relatives, were arrested as part of what was termed the “Vendetta” of Williamson county, he furnished them help, buying each of them a suit of clothes, &c.

            Tenth: (And as might naturally be expected) he died landless and a poorer man than he was when elected to office.

            And here we call attention to the fact that the collector’s default is not in regard to the common county revenue which was collected in county orders but on the “special county revenue,” as it was called, which was levied, as the county clerk tells us in his evidence, for the payment of interest and support of paupers and collected in money-the very kind of funds we would expect a careless collector to fall behind with.

            Again, some insinuations are thrown out in the argument of appellants as to the apparent profits of the office of CHITTY while county treasurer. But edged tools are dangerous things to toy with by either men or children. And now how stands the case with NORRIS on this subject according to the position of appellants in this case?

            On the first Monday in December 1875, NORRIS is inducted to the office of Sheriff of Williamson County, upon a salary, as the evidence showed of $1500 per year. He is a very poor man with no other means of support but this office; a large and expensive family on hand, which at a moderate calculation, could not be supported, together with himself for less than, say, $800 per year.  And by the end of the first year, December 1875, we find he has supported this family, and paid in excess of what was due to the county about $1100, loaned CAMPBELL $500, while GOODALL & CAMPBELL owe him on taxes for 1875 over $1000, HUNDLEY & HOLLAND over $300. He has also paid out money for his friends, known as the Vendetta, in jail, for clothing, &c, say $300, thus aggregating about $1000 from a salary of $1500; besides keeping an assistant collector, EDRINGTON, during the year.

            Now does it not appear that a man who could duplicate his salary thus would have made some reputation among his friends as a success in some line of business?

            But this insatiable thirst for this kind of evidence is not yet content, but sweeps on and takes in  on its course all CHITTY’s deputy assessors for the four years he was treasurer, with their fat emoluments of $2.50 per day in county orders. But in this hectic rage for investigation by Appelants of everybody and everybody’s deputies, why they left out the most interesting characters in this drama we are a little curious to know-We mean the “assistant collector” for NORRIS during this memorable year 1875. But silent as their general evidence is upon this subject it does however incidentally appear that while NORRIS may have died almost a pauper, as appellants argue, yet his friends have the consolation of knowing his “assistant collector” is a merchant price (on a small scale, of course,) in distant and romantic New Burnside. But how many other poor, penniless boys, who were glad to play deputy collector for this over confiding and unfortunate sheriff, are also flourishing  in some remote and rural village like a green bay tree, Appellants have not seen fit to inform us.

Marion Monitor

October 14, 1880

LOCAL NEWS

Death of A.B. HENDRICKSON

            Last Saturday night, the 9^th inst. While the Republicans were having a meeting at Crab Orchard, seven miles east of Marion, Mr. Andrew B. HENDRICKSON was brutally stabbed and killed by one Thomas HILLIARD, who lives in the neighborhood. The particulars were about as follows-

            Two young men, named William SLANKARD and Robert PARKS, jr., were engaged in a fist fight; surrounded by a dense crowd of men. Mr.  HENDRICKSON wanted to stop the fight and preserve the peace, and began forcing his way through the crowd, shouting to those standing near to part those men and stop the fight. While pushing men to the right and left to get into where they were fighting he shoved Thomas HILLIARD, who was an accomplice, back to one side. HILLIARD had his knife drawn and said to Mr. HENDRICKSON: “G—d d—d you, you can’t run over a boy,” and struck him with his knife, piercing the lower lobe of his heart. He died almost instantly. HENDRICKSON was also cut in three other places, one in the back of the head and neck, and twice in the back. It is thought that two men were cutting on him at the same time: but it has not been definitely ascertained who the other was.

            In the terrible excitement HILLIARD made his escape.

            Mr. HENDRICKSON was an engineer at Mann & Edward’s brick mill in Marion, was 43 years old and a man who was well liked by all who knew him. He leaves a host of friends, and a wife and six children to mourn his loss. He served in the late war as a member of Co. C, 31^st Ills. Vols. Was a peaceable man and an ardent Republican.

Judges of Election for 1880.

            Below we publish a correct list of the Judges of Election in the different precinct. These men are the direct guardians of the ballot box. They are given plenary powers on Election Day to preserve order and keep peace at the polls. It is their duty to see that every man who offers to vote and is legally entitled to vote be protected in that right. That his vote be counted and returned just as he cast it. They must use their best endeavor to prevent fraud and illegal voting. A man who came within the State lines on the 3d day of November, 1879, Is a legal voter, provided he has lived within the borders of the county for 90 days, and within the precinct 30 days next preceding the election, and is above the age of 21 years. An alien born must be naturalized before he can vote.

            The Judges will meet next Tuesday week, the 26^th, at the usual voting places and correct the Registry. The ticket will be very lengty this year and they should take especial pains to get first class penmen for clerks:

            Western-A.P. REEVES, John ELLETT, Julius HALL.

            Eight Mile-Giles NELSON, R.M. HINCHCLIFF, Wm. HINDMAN.

            Grassy-Jacob RENDLEMAN, Harvy LITTLE, G.J. BAKER.

            Carterville-Wm. H. PHILLIPS, R.H.H. HAMPTON, W.E. SIZEMORE.

            Herrin’s Prairie-D.R. HARRISON, J.W. BLAIR, C.C. STOTLAR.

            Bainbridge- C. GOULD, C.W. SPILLER, Thomas COX.

            Southern-F. HAWKINS, C.H. DEAN, M.M. CHAMNESS.

            Lake Creek-S.A. HARRISON, T.R. DAVIS, W.H. GRANT.

            Marion-W.T. LEWIS, Geo. W. COX, Hartwell HENDRICKSON.

            Union-Jas. W. BROWN, D.M. LEWIS, E.G. CREEL.

            Northern-George RAY, George W. ROBERTS, M.F. STEWART.

            Crab Orchard-T.L. CAMPBELL, J.W. ERWIN, C.A. FURLONG.

            Rock Creek-S.T. BURNETT, L.C. FULLER, H.M. PARKS.

            Saline-W.H. RIDGEWAY, W.J. HALL, Levi FERRELL.

THE SOUTHERN STYLE.

A SAMPLE OF IT IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY POLITICS.

A.B. HENDRICKSON Killed at a Republican Meeting by a Democratic Rough.

A Wanton, Cruel and Brutal Murder Concocted an Carried Out by Murderous Democrats.

            As the election draws near and the foul mouthed Democratic orators and backwoods politicians assure the Democratic hosts that victory is sure to perch upon the Democratic banner; that the thieving Republicans are habitually mean. And Billy BARR went so far in his speech at the Court house as to say that he believed they would all go to hell. He jestingly put it in a figurative sense, but it was evident from the tone of his speech that it was his honest conviction. While Judge DUFF made no bones and split no hairs in his belief as to what the Republican party was composed of. According to his version of the composition of the Republican Party  the Banditti of New Orleans would be a credit to them. And the local politicians of this county (with a few honorable exceptions,) have made it a specialty to hold up the characters of the Republicans before the gaze of the public in the most hideous terrible terms. Instead of attacking the principles and doctrines of the part, they make a personal charge upon the individuals composing the party, thus making their politics personal on the strictest Southern style. They are sowing to the ___ and very soon such doctrine will cause the people of Williamson county to reap of the whirlwind.

            The killing of A.B. HENDRICKSON is the first fruit of the harvest, and is an earnest of what is sure to follow should the Democrats be successful in the coming election. Very soon we will have the doctrine established here that a Republican has no rights which a Democrat is bound to respect.

            We have complained to the Democratic managers frequently that Democrats were in the habit of going to Republican meetings and trying to break them up. But they nor their organ, the Press, have had the courage to come out and openly condemn such outrageous and uncivilized conduct.

            The facts connected with the killing of Mr. HENDRICKSON, briefly, are these:

            It has been published a week beforehand that there would be a Republican meeting at Crab Orchard last Saturday night. The meeting started off with fair prospects of success, there being over 300 persons present. There were a few of the better class Democrats present, but they seemed to entirely ignore their rough brethren who came there for a difficulty. The principal actors were Thomas HILLIARD, Robert PARKS, jr., and Val RICH. HILLIARD and PARKS are about 20 years old, RICH is about 25. They are all desperate characters and Democrats of the Southern school.

            The first interruption was caused by Val RICH and Tom HILLIARD taking a position in front of Mr. Milo ERWIN, who was making a speech, disputing his word, calling him a d—d liar, &c. They were persuaded to desist by Mr. FURLONG and some other Republicans, and they retired a short distance from the speakers stand. HILLIARD then sought a difficulty with a young Mr. MOTSINGER, Rich encouraging him by telling him to go for hi and he would stand by him-none of the d—d Republicans should touch him. Mr. John S. NORMAN took Val RICH and persuaded him to leave the ground with him. At the same time J.W. PEEBLES and Will H. CAMPBELL got HILLIARD to stop. At this juncture Robert PARKS, Jr. came upon the scene. He wanted to whip Bill SLANKARD, a Republican and HILLIARD wanted to whip MOTSINGER, also a Republican. He (PARKS) finds HILLIARD talking to John W. PEEBLES some distance from the crowd, and tells him that there is a republican he wants to whip and that he is prepared to defend himself. HILLIARD was a little inclined to listen to Mr. PEEBLES, but finally gave way to the more bloodthirsty position of PARKS.

            It seem that Mr. Milo BURNETT, who claims to be a Republican, also had a spite at Wm. SLANKARD, and when he learned that Robert PARKS wanted to get a hold on him, he (BURNETT) took sides with PARKS at once, and also with HILLIARD.

            Unfortunately about this time PEEBLES was called to the stand to make a speech, which caused him to leave HILLIARD, thinking there would be no further trouble. They had been quarreling around over the ground trying to fight for more then an hour, but thro’ the efforts of Mr. PEEBLES, W.H. CAMPBELL and other Republicans the collision was kept off. With in a few moments after PEEBLES took the stand Robert PARKS, who this time was being backed and encouraged, as it is said, by Milo BURNETT, forced his way through the crowd to William SLANKARD, and kicked him. BURNETT began by clearing the crowd and call “hands off;” “no man touch them.” SLANKARD, Republican, and PARKS, Democrat, clinched and were fighting a fist fight within a few feet of the speaker’s stand; the crowd was very thick around them.

            Mr. A.B. HENDRICKSON, who had gone out with the crowd from Marion, saw what was going on and began to make his way thro the crowd, shouting to part those men and stop that fight. HENDRICKSON ________ man, weighing over 200 pounds. He made his way through the crowd in a hurry, pushing men to the right and left. Of course he paid no attention to who he was pushing, his main object was to get in and part the men who were fighting; and in doing so he caught this Thomas HILLIARD and pushed him back. HILLIARD remarked to him, “you are pushing a boy, if you know it” and instantly plunged his knife into his heart. Whether HENDRICKSON touched BURNETT or not we do not know, but from the cuts HENDRICKSON received in the back and neck it is believed that more than one man did the cutting. HENDRICKSON died within a few minutes.

            It seems the whole attention was directed to the fist fight between SLANKARD and PARKS, and while HDNERICKSON was cut in several places, no one seemed to notice him until he fell. HILLIARD made his escape.

            The foregoing are substantially the facts connected with the fuss and fighting that occurred. Milo BURNETT claims, or did claim, to be a Republican; but it will be noticed that he did not come upon the scene of disturbance until young PARKS seeks the difficulty with Bill SLANKARD with whom BURNETT is mad. Still he did no wrong in encouraging and difficulty. He had but little respect for the good name and reputation of the Republican Party in attempting to raise a difficulty at that time.

            There can be no doubt but that Val RICH, Thomas HILLIARD and Robert Parks, jr. went there for the express purpose of having a row and breaking up the meeting. HILLIARD and PARKS were bent on blood; and they did not care whose blood they shed so it was black Republican’s. They began their disturbance by RICH and HILLIARD disturbing ERWIN while speaking. Next by HILLIARD playing a fiddle near the speaker’s stand and RICH dancing, and occasionally shouting for HANCOCK and other familiar names; making their boasts that they came there for a row and intended to have one of break up the meeting. That they did not propose to be run off; they had the tools to defend themselves; all such conduct at a Republican meeting. Certainly the worst style of Southern Politics could not go further.

            It cannot be shown, it never will be shown that any Republican ever sought a difficulty with either of them. On the contrary, their Republican friends and acquaintances in that neighborhood plead with them and begged them fore more than an hour to behave themselves and not get up any disturbance; but of no avail.  Forbearance has ceased to be a virtue. The better class of both parties must take hold of the matter. These political disturbers must be summarily dealt with.

            The whole scheme is to intimidate Republicans and keep them away from political meetings, and thereby cause them to lose interest in the election and not go to the polls, and let the Democrats have a walk over. We do no believe the “Mississippi plan” has yet reached Williamson County. We hope it has not. 

WAS DUNCAN A PARTNER?

EVIDENCE OF A GIGANTIC SPECULATION.

Over $1,300.00 Invested in Delinquent Lands By One of Duncan’s Assistants. –A Very Singular Affair.

            The Sheriff’s office is worth only about $1,200 per year: DUNCAN is a man who was never known to embark in any enterprise unless there was considerable money attached to it. $1200 is but a small consideration for a man of DUNCAN’s turn to receive for the vast responsibility he assumes in the office of Sheriff. But he is learning the soft places. He knows better how to work the wires than he did one year ago, or two years ago. We may feel assured that there is a big speck over and above the salary attached to the office or Mr. DUNCAN would not be working so hard and spending the vast amount of money he is spending for reelection unless there was something more than the more naked salary for pay. It is estimated that DUNCAN will spend at least one year’s salary in present canvass.  He has been there and knows what he is doing. No man will work and ride and spend money as he is doing in this canvass without seeing ahead where he is coming out whole. He is very sharp and watches the corners pretty close and if he wants to drive a sharp bargain he generally manages to get some one to act as catspaw to pull out the chestnuts (money).

            Truth is the natural state of things and truth is established by testimony of parties who know the facts about which they testify. Now we have a little transaction that we want to lay before the people, and the witness is a Democrat of some notoriety, Mr. Charles H. DENISON, who lives here in Marion.

            When Mr. DUNCAN was first renominated DENISON openly avowed that he would not support him, but would do all he could to defeat him in the election. This elicited considerable comment. Those prominent in political circles wanted to know what was the matter. It was an open secret, and DENISON talked publicly that he felt satisfied that DUNCAN and John R. LITTLE had formed a copartnership to buy and speculate in delinquent lands last year 1879. Charley did not say anything about it, being as DUNCAN was a Democrat, but when they began to tramp on his toes he told them very plainly not to fling their fire that way. Charley is harmoni­­­_ed now, and will not make any statement for publication, but notes were taken of his statements before he became harmonized, and the facts are as follows:

            In the summer of 1879 Mr. DENISON bought the N ½ NW sec. 1,-9-2, 80 acres, upon which there were taxes due for several years, amounting to $75.44. When the land was offered on the regular call it was forfeited to the State about June 24, 1879. DUNCAN  nor any one around the Sheriff’s office knew that Charley owned the land. About Aug. 8, 1879, DUNCAN and Charley had a business transaction by which DUNCAN was to pay Charley some costs, amounting to near $75.00. They had a conversation on the east side of the square, and Charley told DUNCAN that he would be up in a day or two to settle some taxes on the land he had bo’t lying up north of town and he could settle the costs in on taxes. DUNCAN wanted to know what section it was in. Charley pretended not to know. DUNCAN then wanted to know who name it was assessed in. Charley said he thought Moses STILLEY’s. This was after supper perhaps about sundown. Aug. 8, 1879, they parted. DUNCAN going in the direction of the Sheriff’s office. The next morning Charly went up to the Sheriff’s office and found DUNCAN and John R. LITTLE both in the office. Charley told DUNCAN that he came to settle off the tax on the land. DUNCAN remarked that he had sole that piece of land to LITTLE. DENSION asked him when he sold it to him. DUNCAN said since we were talking about it. DENISON then turned to LITTLE and asked him why he bought his land. LITTLE remarked that he bought it to make money out of. DENISON then asked DUNCAN if LITTLE had paid him the money, and also if he had delivered him the certificate of purchase. DUNCAN said no. DENISON then remarked to both of them: “I have been satisfied that you and John LITTLE were in copartnership in buying and selling delinquent lands for sometime, now I know it.” These remarks were made in the presence of both Mr. DUNCAN and LITTLE and neither of them denied it. DENISON then left the office. In a day or two DENISON went back to the Sheriff’s office and asked DUNCAN if he had received the money and delivered the certificate of purchase of his land to LITTLE. DUNCAN told him he had not. DENISON then counted out the money, the correct amount due, and made a tender to Mr. DUNCAN, telling him that there was no sale until the money was paid, and that he wanted a receipt. At his DUNCAN became excited. DENISON insisted on having a tax receipt, telling him that he did not come there for a fuss, he was a law abiding citizen, and wanted to pay his taxes. Some hot words passed. LITTLE was present at this interview DENISON again accused them of being partners in the transaction and neither ______ dignant and left the office telling them when they made any money out of buying his land they could put it in their pipe and smoke it.

            This was in August 1879. DUNCAN was renominated in May 1880. He soon learned Charley DENISON was against him but he thought he could pull through without him, and was disposed to treat the matter sneeringly. But he soon found out that the “old boss” had some influence with the Democratic party yet. A caucus of the heads of messes was called and it was decided that the “old boss” must be harmonized. He was awaited upon and it was learned that he was willing to pay the exact amount of taxes he had tendered to DUNCAN over one year before, and no more. There was over $50.00 interest accrued, besides $13.10 taxes they had paid for 1879. But DENISON had paid the taxes too, [This being one of the pieces mentioned last week as having been paid on twice.] Making in all over $65 in taxes and interest yet the certificate of purchase was surrendered to DENISON for the exact amount of the original tax $75.44 and he did not pay a cent of interest and he has the certificate in his possession today. We do not say that either DUNCAN or LITTLE gave the certificate to DENISON, but we say it was done through the manipulations of the Democratic town ring. What do you democrats out in the country whose land has been sold, and you have to pay a heavy per cent to redeem it think of this transaction? Think of it! Here is a man a Democrat, who land was sold for taxes; he got mad at the Sheriff about it and after it accumulated 75 per cent they allow him to redeem it without paying one cent.

            But the main question is if the foregoing statements are true, were DUNCAN and LITTLE partners? If they were, then DUNCAN is not a fit man to be Sheriff, and the people sho’d vote against him.

            John R. LITTLE is a poor but honest man; he has no surplus money as is well known in this community, yet we find that he invested over $1300.00 in lands last year.

            We expect LITTLE and DUNCAN both to deny that they were partners, but it will be in order for them to explain away DENISON’s testimony before the great tribunal of the people. This land was forfeited to the State two weeks before. No one but DUNCAN knew it was DENISON’s land. DENISON was a good Democrat and is yet. Why did he want John LITTLE to take the collector’s book and make it as sold to him on the same evening DENISON had the conversation with him about it? If it was an honest sale how does it happen that DENISON gets his certificate of purchase without paying one cent of interest? Why did  not one or the other of them deny the partnership when DENISON charge it upon them on two different occasions?

            There are all important questions for the people to answer at the ballot box.

City Council Proceedings

Oct. 11, 1880

            Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

            Report of A.M. PACE, city treasurer, for the month ending Oct. 11, 1880, showing a balance in the treasury for current fund of $341.90, and a balance in the treasury for street funds of $817.00 was presented, approved and ordered filed.

            On motion of Thomas DAVIS the following claims were allowed

L.A. GODDARD, service as mayor…..$6.00

C.M. EDWARDS service as Alderman…..1.00

C.M. KERN service as Alderman…..3.00

J.M. CAMPBELL service as Alderman…..3.00

T.J. GOODALL service as Alderman…..2.00

Thomas DAVIS service as Alderman…..3.00

J.L. CALVERT service as Alderman…..3.00

J.J. HENDRICKSON service as Marshal…..25.00

J.R. LITTLE service as clerk…..12.50

Bainbridge & Goddard blankets for calaboose…..11.60

S.S. IRELAND work on sidewalk…..18.37

Green HOBBS work on sidewalk…..9.00

M.W. BARHAM(?) work on sidewalk…..16.87

A.J. PERKINS jail fees Green Pain…..3.40

V.A. SCURLOCK work on sidewalk…..3.00

S.S. GRIGGS lumber for sidewalk…..150.15

Davis & Reed Hauling…..6.60

In Memoriam

Hall Of Marion Lodge 1944 K of H

Oct. 5, 1880

            Whereas, On the 14^th day of September, 1880, it pleased the Supreme Dictator of the universe in His wisdom to send the messenger of death to visit the sanctum  of our Lodge, and take away from our midst and fellowship Brother B. GALLAHGER, of Marion Lodge No. 1944, Knights of Honor, and

            Whereas, We deeply regret out loss and feel that death has broken the social and internal(?) tie in the Lodge  where he loved so much to meet his friends and brothers:

            Resolved, That in his death the Knights of Honor have lost a true and faithful member, society a social and honorable man, and his wife and children a good and faithful husband and kind father.

            Resolved that a copy of these resolutions be furnished by the Reporter to his family, and to the Marion Monitor and Egyptian Press with the request they publish the same. A.N. LODGE, R.L. MCKLAN, J.H. DUNCAN committee.

Marion Monitor

October 21, 1880

LOCAL NEWS

SAVING “CLERK HIRE”

MORE EVIDENCE

Showing that the Sheriff’s Office Under DUNCAN’s Administration has been Turned Into a Delinquent Land and County Order Broker’s Shop.

Read, Ponder  and Reflect.

            Mr. DUNCAN took charge of the Sheriff’s office the first Monday in December, 1878. He got possession of the collector’s book in January, 1879. He at first thought he would not need much clerical help, and about March 1, 1879 he employed J.W. SAMUELS to help him collect the taxes. Mr. SAMUELS is a good fellow, but he is not considered a first class clerk; he is too slow. During the months of March and April, 1879, DUNCAN saw that he would have to get more help. He wanted to keep up a good appearance before the public. He desired to make a showing of economy in the office, and clerk hire was an important item. It would never do for him to be out more for Clerk hire that CAPLINGER was. It wo’d seem that he was beginning to find out that holding an office and doing all the work was not what he though it was. In the Egyptian Press, under date of May 1^st, 1879, in answering some accusation made against him in the Monitor, he writes over his own signature: “I have never asked for an office, and never expect to in the future, as I can do just as well or better in any other branch of business.”

            He had then been in the Sheriff’s office five months. John R. LITTLE had been assisting him collect the taxes for about two months. He has changed his notion since then. Let us see what is the cause of this sudden and marvelous change of mind. He boldly puts himself on record May 1^st, 1878, that he never expects to run for office in the future. It will not do to say that the people wanted him to run, because there is no power in this country to force a man to run for office. The Democrats gave Mr. W.W. CLEMENS a fair and square nomination for County Judge in 1877-he slapped them square in the face, and declined to make the race. It is often the case that men decline running for a public office. But let us follow this subject up and see if we cannot put a few plain, indisputable facts together that will explain this longing desire for office that has come over Mr. DUNCAN since the first five months of his official career.

            In the same number of the Egyptian Press, May 1^st, 1879, in the same article, over his own signature, Mr. DUNCAN makes his announcement: “I can say to the people that I have my arrangements made so as not to expend over $650 or $700 for deputy and clerk hire, making a difference of $427 in this one item.” Bow what arrangements had he made by which he could save this extra clerk hire? He pays J.C. JACKSON, his deputy, nearly that much.

            In the Egyptian Press, dated July 15, 1880, [DUNCAN’s signature is not to the article, but there can be no doubt that he wrote it] we are informed that John R. LITTLE has never been a clerk of deputy for DUNCAN at all, or to put it in his own words:

            “As to LITTLE we will inform the Monitor that he has not been in the employ of DUNCAN at all.”

            John R. LITTLE has not in all the past been in DUNCANS employ! We put the question to the tax payers of Williamson county, individually and collectively. How many of you have seen John R. LITTLE in the Sheriff’s office assisting DUNCAN in collecting taxes? Yea, how many of you have tax receipts with DUNCAN’s name signed by LITTLE? Now we are bro’t face to face with a state of facts which are incompatible with human experience and human nature. “There is something rotten in Denmark.” LITTLE could not afford to stay in the Sheriff’s office and work for nothing. Yet he was “not in the employ of DUNCAN at all,” which simply means that DUNCAN was not paying him any agreed salary as “clerk hire” DUNCAN is a man of considerable money; LITTLE is a man whose means are somewhat limited, but we find that over the summer of 1879 he invested over $1300.00 in delinquent lands, and that every piece except one has been redeemed. It might not be improper to say in this connection that it was rumored about town considerably during the land sales of 1879 that LITTLE and DUNCAN had a common interest, but they were not completely exposed until they bought a piece of land in which Charley DENISON had an interest. [The facts in this case were fully set forth in last week’s Monitor, and we will not again state them here] Charley thought the sale was not complete until the money paid and the certificate of purchase delivered. DUNCAN refused to give him a tax receipt, and DENISON openly charged them both in the presence of each other, in being in copartnership.

            This he done twice, and neither of them denied it.

This was in August, 1879. The land speculation from that time on became an open secret, and of course had to be abandoned; but count 25, 50 or 75 per cent on $1300.00, besides county order speculations, you find one half or two thirds the amount will be pretty fair wages, and a good profit on the investment for about 4 months work. We now come to the

            COUNTY ORDER SPECULATION

            The Legislature passed an act that went into force July 1, 1879, prohibiting County Boards from issuing more that 75 per cent of the rate levied for county purposes. The levy for 1880 was made at the September session of the Board, 1879. Under this law all county orders issued are redeemed sometime during the year. We find Mr. LITTLE assisting Mr. DUNCAN in collection the taxes during the spring and summer of 1880. At the land sales we still find him investing more money in delinquent lands, in the first of LITTLE & GOODALL. (This may be for a blind.) He is a good clerk and is very handy about this office: knows about who will redeem their lands and who will not.

During the month of March last we find him investing extensively in county orders.

            From W.H. EUBANKS he buys $390 at 90 cents; from A.D. DUFF he buys $100 at 80 or 85 cents; from G.W. LEWIS, keeper of the poor house, he buys $356 at 85 cents; and how many more we cannot tell, making at total $846 all in large orders from $300 to $25. These orders were bought by J.R. LITTLE during the month of March and they were paid by DUNCAN to Joe RAINEY, the Co. treasurer, on the settlement made April 13, 1880.

            We do not say that DUNCAN collected the cash from the tax payers on their county taxes, and then paid it to LITTLE for these orders, but he paid RAINEY $3112.88 in orders of the levy of 1879, and $467.73 in orders of the back tax fund, and $634.33 in orders of the road and bridge fund-total $4214.93, and only $74.67 in money. See report on file in Col Clks office. We have not taken the pains to go around over the county to find men who paid their taxes between March 10 and April 10 but we know several who paid during that time, and could not get county orders and had to pay cash. It is self evident fact that every tax payer knows that he never took those large orders in on taxes.

            All his subsequent settlements proves conclusively that he took in more cash on the County taxes then he paid over to the treasurer at the April settlement. We give the facts as they occurred, and people can draw their own conclusions. This is some of the conduct that DUNCAN is parading before the people as a great saving to the tax payers in the item of “clerk hire.” LITTLE has worked in the office faithfully assisting DUNCAN collect the taxes, which can be proven by over 1000 tax payers, and DUNCAN will not deny it. LITTLE has made out tax receipts for him. In the face of all this, the Press of July 15, 1880, says: “As to LITTLE, we will inform the Monitor that he has not been in the employ of DUNCAN at all.”

            In view of the foregoing facts it is very easy to see why DUNCAN changed his mind, and concluded to run again for office. The Sheriff’s office has been used as aspeculative institution many times. It is time now for the people to put a stop on it. They have the opportunity to do so now with their votes.

DUNCAN’S DEFIANCE

He Notifies The People That He Will Pay Over the Double Tax Fund At The End of a Lawsuit.

            Last week J.H. DUNCAN comes out in an article in the Press, over his own signature, and confesses to the double collections that we charged him with. He endeavors to excuse himself for not paying over this money by a little buncombe panderings, by trying to make the impression that the payments were make through mistake, and that he felt it his duty to pay it back to the parties when they call on him.  We positively assert that such are not the facts.

            Isaac T. BOWERS and Charles H. DENISON are two of the persons who have paid these double payments. Both of them knew at the time they paid that F.M. GOODALL and John R. LITTLE held certificates for the same land on which they paid. But they did not believe the sheriff’s sale was regular and legal, and paid the taxes to save their right in the title prior to passing the sheriff’s deed. Does anyone suppose that such men as Isaac T. BOWERS, F.M. GOODALL, John R. LITTLE or C.H. DENISON did not thoroughly understand what they were doing when they paid the extra tax on the land they claimed?

            But DUNCAN’s conduct in these two cases was a little singular. F.M. GOODALL held the certificate of purchase of BOWERS’ land; he and BOWERS fixed up the redemption between themselves, and DUNCA paid BOWERS the tax money back. With DENISON the case was different: LITTLE held the certificate and got the surplus tax money back.

            But it is always the case: when you find an officer who disregards the plain letter of the law that he is sworn to execute and support, there is not telling what he will do. We are totally at sea.

            But the strangest declaration in DUNCAN”s article is as follows: “If I am wrong, the facts shall be easily proven. I have myself put them on record, and when the COURTS DEMAND it I will pay it.”

            This is virtually saying that he will pay a certain fund that accumulates in his hands at the end of a lawsuit. Is this the kind of man the people want for Sheriff! The Statute provides for the receiving and paying over of this fund in the same chapter that provides for receiving the paying over the school fund, the State and County fund, and all revenue that comes into the hands of a collector. If he defies the law in reference to paying over the double tax fund, why may he not defy it in paying over the school fund or the county fund? One is just as binding as the other.

            DUNCAN is somewhat noted for taking the law into his own hands. Here we have his emphatic and defiant declaration that he will pay over a fund provided by the plain letter of the statute, “when the Courts demand it.”

            Coming from such a man as Mr. DUNCAN this is rather a serious declaration. He is a man of nerve and determination, and he has plenty of money to make his positions troublesome in the Courts or out. Here we have it from his won mouth, over his own signature, that he will throttle the law, and pay over “when the Courts demand it.”

“Forewarned is Forearmed.” The remedy is at the polls.

CHITTY vs. NORRIS Re-examined.

            Weelyum W. KLEMINGS, the Kaintucky importation and Dimycratic candidate for State’s Attorney, comes boldly to the rescue of Mr. DUNCAN and Mr. CONNELL in the Egyptian Press last week in the CHITTY NORRIS matter.

            Now, Weelyum, you had better look out! You are sitting on a political magazine which is likely to go off at any time. Your election is not a foregone conclusion. If you knew the plans that are being laid to swap you off you would not be so handy with your irony and sarcasm.

            But after all, Weelyum can’t help it. He is in that crowd, and of course he will have to do their bidding, just like he will have to do should he happen to be elected. His Southern malice toward Northern Yankees fits him very well for a disciple of Williamson county Democracy.

            We will notice one point that he makes in his one sided article. He says: “But the real question is, not that the Courts decided erroneously upon the evidence before them, but it is because the evidence of N.E. NORRIS was kept from the ears of the courts that would have decided differently if it had been before them.”

            Now, we stated in our former article that CHITTY’s deposition was taken; also WISE and BIRDWELL’s. NORRIS had notice; came into the room once or twice, but did not cross examine. Suppose that NORRIS’ deposition had been taken: He was the complainant in the case; his testimony would have been offset by CHITTY’s. He would have had to make out his case by a clear weight of evidence hence he would have had to produce evidence from some other source.

            As the case was pending over 18 months, we infer that he communicated all of his defense counsel.

            CHITTY”s depositions were suppressed on the hearing; no advantage could be taken of that, and the weight of the evidence was the same as though NORRIS had been living.

            And any backwoods’ Justice of the Peace knows enough to decide that.

SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD!

            For the arrest and conviction of Thomas HILLARD, who murdered Mr. A.B. HENDRICKSON, at Crab Orchard, Williamson County Ill., Saturday night Oct. 9, 1880, five hundred dollars has been offered, and as has been his custom we are confident the Governor will pay $200.00  more, making the reward seven hundred dollars. The description of HILLIARD as given by the Sheriff is as follows:

            Description-He is about 20 years old; 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high; hair long and dark; weight 130 to 140 pounds; thumb and fingers on left hand disfigured by pistol shot done sometime since; face powder burnt.

            Papers wherever this article may go are requested to copy. By the united effort the guilty will be brought to punishment.

Mr. Wm. GUTHRIE of Greensburg, Ind., is visiting his daughter and family (Mrs. STARK) in this county. We find him quite an intelligent gentleman and a stalwart Republican. Of course he is prod of the great victory won at the polls last week and says GARFIELD’s majority will be 20,000 in Indiana.

Mr. A.W. AVERILL, of Lake Creek, was in the Monitor office Tuesday last. He is canvassing for “A Fools Errand,” a book fill of useful and interesting material. The author has an experience which qualifies him for the work at hand.

Rev. WALKER, last Chaplain of the Southern Ill. Penitentiary, also Chaplain of the 60^th Ill. Vo. during the war, was among his friends in Marion, Monday last. He is in good health and as solid for the Union as he was during the Atlanta campaign and all other struggles for the country thro which he passed.

W.C. ALLEN, Sheriff of Johnson County was in Mario last Saturday ins each of horse thieve. Mr. BRUMMIT living north and near Vienna had two horses stolen Friday night. The Sheriff could hear nothing of his men nor horses in this direction.

W. P. GOODALL writes from hot Springs, that he is improving so far as rheumatism is concerned but he has had one chill. We, in common with his many friends are anxious for his speedy recovery.

Mr. W.E. HEARN of Corinth, is testing the healing virtues of the Florida atmosphere.

Rev. SCAWTHON was called to Metropolis last Monday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Thomas, wife of Hon. John R. THOMAS.

Last week Rev. SCAWTHON went to Metropolis to officiate in the marriage of the County Clerk Mr. SHOEMAKER.

Mrs. Dr. BANDY attended the District Sunday School Convention at Du Quoin last week.

The first quarterly meeting the M.E. Church Marion ____ occurred at Perry’s last Sund.

Bro. THROGMORTON of the Banner, was in Marion last week in fine trim for his work.

Marion Monitor

Oct. 28, 1880

LOCAL NEWS.

Mr. W. P. GOODALL will return from hot Springs next week.

Elder C.E. CLINE has sold his Carbondale property and goes northward.

Lizzie BANDY, aged eighteen months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. BANDY, died last Tuesday night.  The parents in their sad hours of sorrow have the sympathy of a large number of friends. The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is the only light in the dark hours of death. 

Dr. BUNDY will preach at the Christian church on next Sunday and Sunday night will preach to the children of Marion: and thus redeem his promise made to them last Sunday that the illness of his family disappointed. He hopes all his little friends, the children will be present.

OUR CANDIDATES.

            John W. PEEBLES.

The Republican candidate for States Attorney, was born and reared in Crab Orchard precinct. He is 28 years old, and has considerable natural and legal ability. He is a young attorney of promise ____ of sterling integrity. He will make the people a good, honest and faithful prosecuting attorney.

            Martin M. MCDONALD

Candidate for Circuit Clerk, is 33 years old, is a practical man of liberal views, and education. Industrious, honest and painstaking, possessing those patient, perceptive qualities which would fit him for Circuit Clerk and keeper of the public records. In the office he would be obliging in showing the records of the office, and imparting such information as the people would desire.

            George W. CHITTY

Republican candidate for Sheriff is a native of this county. He is well known by our people. He served during the war in Co. E. 31^st Ill. Vols. He made a noble, honorable record as a soldier. He is a resident of Southern Precinct, a farmer by occupation, and a man universally liked by all his neighbors, and those who know him. He has been raised among the laboring people and is thoroughly identified with their wants and interest. His education and training fit him for the important office to which he aspires. His honesty and integrity will prompt him to discharge the duties of the office faithfully, with equal justice to all the people, and not in the interest of speculative rings and cliques, or a favored few.

            John C. DOWELL

Candidate for Coroner is a farmer, a resident of Eight Mile Precinct. He is a man of large experience among the people. His qualifications and honesty are admitted by all. He has always taken an interest in our county affairs, and will make a good officer.

            John SCOBY

Candidate for County Commissioner, has served the people in that capacity for three years. His knowledge and experience in the fiscal affairs of our county befit him to guard our public rights safely. He has the confidence of all the people.

            Milo ERWIN