Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-07-12
For the State Sentinel.
A Replv TO the "Grab Gam g.

! On the downward trip of the Peru train on
! the morning of the 21st June last package
/ containing corpse was placed in the Ex-
press Car at Cassville At Kokomo, an indi-
vidual calling himself J. Smith, got into the
cars and took possession and control of said
package. AS an Agent and Messenger of the
American Express Company, | desired TO
"bill " the sumo aud receive She charges
this demand on my part, was warmly re-
sisted by J. Smith, until | was finally COM
PEELED to tell him that the charges must be
paid, and that too, promptly, or would re-
move the corpse from the car at the next
station. Smith then appealed to the Con
luctor and to Capt E. G. Barney, Superin-
tendent of the road, and was assured by both
of these gentlemen, that my demand was a
legal and reasonable one, and that by insisf-
ing upon the payment of the charges | was
strictly and properly carrying out my duties
and instructions as Express Messenger. j..
Smith then reluctantly paid the charges,
amounting to five dollars, protesting very
earnestly against it as a high charge.
The public, whose attention has been so
pointedly called to me in the communication
signed s, published in the Sentinel, will per-
ceive at once from the above statement
facts, that in pursuing the course which has
called upon me the censure of j. Smith, |
was simply and strictly performing my duty
towards my employers.
This PLAIN aud truthful statement of facts
is the best vindication of my character and
conduct from the foul and uncalled for as
sessions attempted to be thrown upon me by
Smith in his communication.
Ii a want of delicacy, of refinement OF
proper feeling, has led j. Smith to give pub
licity to this matter and make it personal
controversy between him and myself, surely
| will be excused if in the vindication of my
own conduct, which has been so uniustly and
mesnly assailed, sound the motiUe of nv
villifier. have the charity to hope that his
effusion was rather the result of want of
good sense.
What act could be more contemplate and
mean on the part of person than 70 raise Il
fuss over the remains of his own Mother-as
they were being transported over one of our
public thoroughfares-just simply for the
reason that the rules ami regulations of the
Company demanded that Express charges
should be paid on such a package and not
freighF
What an exhibition of tender, affection
ate and filial heart is shown on the part Of J.
Smith as he accompanies the remains of his
Mother for misunderstanding tears be-
cause they cannot be passed over the road as
baggage.
And as if he needed one additional act of
meanness to consummate his baseness-to
attack in public journal the character and
motives of one whose situation and subsist-
ence depend solely upon his probity and the
strict performance of his duties.
j. Smith may be lawyer, man of
wealth, of distinction, of good family. but he
may rest assured that however high his con-
dition in life may be, and however humble
mine, he shall never assail my character with
IMMUNITY.
1t as necessary that should sign my name
to this communication, and let the public,
and particularly j. Smith, know that am
G. II. KISSELL,
Of p,arioon Expracc ~