Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-03-07
TO the Public.

The undersigned, having read with
modification and regret an article in the
"Whig and Register" of Keokuk, of the
20lh inst, over the signature of III. w.
Sample, in relation to an unfortunate diff.
ficulty between Col. Jesse Williams and
Samuel Workman of this city, and re.
fecting severely an nnjustly Oh the char
acter of Col. Williams, deem it due to
the cause of truth and justice, to state,
as they now do, that they believe the
said article of Fl. w. Sample is exparte
in its character, was designed TO blast
the reputation Of Col. Williams and is
a variance with the facts Of the case, and
undeserving of any credence whatever.
They would further state, that the con-
duct of the wife of the said Workman,
during the greater part Of the time of
her residence in this City, was of the
most open and notorious character both
by night and by day; that for the last
two years, she sought and solicited illicit
intercourse with almost every man she
would mi e., whether stranger or aequain-
lance, married or single, young or old;
that she visited shops and stores, in the
city, 10 give personal notice, and solicit
designations upon the commons and out
houses Of the city, indulging publicly in
the most indecent and vulgar language;
and that they have no hesitation in STA
ting il as their belief that said Mrs.
Workman is laboring under that kind of
insanity, which, in medical parlance, is
denominated Nyn,phomania or furor
nterinus-the unfortunate victims Of
which, unless restrained by the principles
of virtue, are entirely unable to control
or restrain themselves.
They would further state, that there is
no evidence to sustain the charge against
Col. Williams, except the testimony of
Mrs. Workman herself, (which under
the circumstances is unworthy of be-
| lief J that they have every reason to be-
lieve that Col Williams avoided her on
all occasions-that they no more believe
him guilty of improper intercourse and
dishonorable conduct with the said Mrs.
Workman, than the many others of our
most respectable citizens, who have been
implicated by her, and whose moral
character and department are sufficient
refuta!ions OF the charge. They would
further state, that while they regret the
attempt to commit personal violence on
Col. Williams by Samuel Workman and
J. Buchanan Berryhill, and believe the
attack was unjustiiable and improper,
they are willing to make allowances for
the conduct of husband and brother so
situated, and would express the hope and
belief that the attack was made under n
feeling of excitement which they could
not control. They would state in con-
clusion, that since their acquaintance
with Col. Williams, his character and
conduct have been that of high.minded
honorable man, who would scorn to in
wade the domestic circle of any man
that during the past two years, he has
only been visitor in this City for few
days at time--and that the charges in
the article of said III. w. Sample against
Col. Williams, ought to exert no inlu-
ence prejudicial TO him on the public
mind, or in the leas. degree derogate
from his character. Er sa..tg, .-.. o..
j ra- EASTIN MORRIS, ... ....,.
/ JESSE BOWEN, s.a- ...... -
| r. WILLIAM PATTERSON, .a,.
j.. p. FROST, r.g.Is .sr 81
! ID. s.. WARREN, -f-, ...........
/ JAMES III. COVER, ...r .,, .
/ w. PENN CLARK, /. .-,...
| rnp w. REYNOLDS =. ran.
I E~ HENRY GRAY, as...a ...-.... 49,.
=, LEWIS L. STAFFORD, f.,
| EZEKIEL CLARK. -. ,...-,.,
Iowa City, Feb. 2Sth, 1851. ,a.a %,
D Commodore Jones, whose trial