The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-10
TO THE PUBLIC.
No. v.

the care and anxiety Of it had greatly ten
ded to keep me down. had agreed to
sell an interest in the mills to the amount
of s 500, and the business was arranged
under the charter. The charter required
five directors. There were but three real
stockholders in this section of the coun-
try, and it was necessary to make two no
minal ones to fill the directory. A friend
of mine as proPosedfor one, and friend
of the other Two stockholders for the 9TH
err. This would give them majority in
the directory, whilst held majority of
the stock. had been sick long time
was weak in body, and of course in mind,
and | did not look or think of any thing
but fairness in this business. A history
Of the tragedy that has been acted from
that time to the present, would make hu-
mainly shudder-would curdle the milk
of human kindness in the veins. But, |
(orbear for the present, and shall pass
lightly over it. Should circumstances re-
quire it, may hereafter lift the veil and
let this community look in upon transact
lions that would make them recoil with
horror.
Twas confined 10 my bed mostly. and
il was the general opinion that could no,
live long. | had at this time large
amount of personal property, two horse
teams, three double wagons and harness,
four or five .carts, six or eight sleds,
twelve or fifteen log chains, OK teams, far
ming utensils. large amount of tools got
for building the dam and mills, such as
Cross.cut saws, augers, crowbars, axes,
tackles and ropes, drills, blasting tools,
sledges, &C.. &C., together with carpen-
ter and joiners' tools, blacksmihs' tools,
and various other tools and property to a
large amount. These facts are well known
by all my ncighbors. had on hand
very large stock of corn, some oats and
hay, for the winter. The company went
into possession of all this property-in
fact, everything had cxcep, little stuff
about my house, and as it has since turned
out, wiihou, taking an inventory or any
kind of account of ii whatever. Ny debts
at this time had mostly been prosecuted
to judgment-thc cry was raised that |
was broke down, and with all the atlen-
dant calumny and it is well known
fact that when man fails that has been
extensively engaged in business, all man
nor of evil things will be said OF him. but
in my case there was combination of
low desperate fellows, picked up amongst
the disallectcd that had been in my em-
ploy QorI had great many men in my
employ, and of course more or less bad
ones) and justices suits were commenced
against me by dozens in every direction.
A great many of these actually owed me
at the time, and some of them several
hundred dollars. Warrants were sworn
out, and in some cases executions were
sworn out and my property taken and car
ricd off in this way, while sick and requi-
ring, above all things, peace of mind. |
was kept in constant excitement. Where
the cause Of these things lay, could not
imagine. Persons who | then supposed
to be entirely friendly to me, would com
bine, and deplore the moral turpitude Of
such beings who could harrow a man Just
dropping into the grave. | was one day
taken with warrant, dragged out of my
bed when was not able to set up, taken
to the Justices Office, there was gang of
those fellows cOlleclcd-and there, with
ont the least provocaton on my part, ]
was attacked in the Justices Office by one
of these rutlians, who was strong mus
cular " six.footer." at this time had
been sick six monlhs--had hardly power
to walk-could not have resisted a boy
ten years old. His accomplices when he
made the attack left the room, and he a
consummate coward, FOR none other could
commit so dastardly an act) finding him
self alone with me, began to quake, turned
upon his heels and fled, and has not been
heard of since, and J escaped with but
little injury. | had all these cases defen-
ded as well as | could, and where ludg-
mcnt went against me, had them carried
up and but simply three believe out of
the whole lot of them, succeeded in sus.
tanning judgments against me. have
merely stated these things to show to
what extent have been prosecuted, and
the eXertions that were used To deprive
me Ct reputation, property. and perhaps
life. l.. KlMBALL.
Marseilles, March 10, 1919.