Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-03-19
The Insult to Gov. Geary-His Oh
iections to Sherrard.

u
A letter from General Richardson. who
probably knew more abont Sherrard's design
in his attack on Gov. Geary than any other
man, is published in the Missouri Republi-
can. We take fro4 it the following par
agraphs;
"The Governor had visited the Council;
went from thence to the House of Repre-
sentatives: spent some time there, anc when
he opened the door leading into the ante
chamber. Sherrard was there awaiting his
return, no doubt"
81 am satisfied in my mind, from what |
have learned and know, that Sherrard'wOuld
have killed the Governor if he had resented
the indignity. The Governor was unarm-
ed"
Gov. Geary, as is well known, had refused
10 commission Sherrard as Sheriff of Doug
las county.
The following is the message containing
the Governors objections to Sherrard:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
LEcoMPTIoS. X. T., January 2lst, 1857 Z
To the Hous of Representatives., Kansas
Territory.
GENTLEMEN: In rep'y to your resolution
Of the l9th instant. which WAS received late
on the sO'h. requesting me to furnish your
body with statement of my reasons for
not commissioning William T. Sherrard.
ESQ, ss Sheriff of Douglas county. | have
the honor to state, that while am disposed
to accede to any reasonable request from
the Legislature. | regard that matter as a
subject of inquiry only from the Territorial
Courts.
Prior to its announcement TO me, the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Sherrard was protested
against BY many good citizens OF Lecomp-
ton aud of Douglas county, as his shabits and
passions rendered h i'm entirely unit Tor the
proper performance of the duties of that Of
fee.
There was no intention, however, on my
part to withhold his commission; but in
consequence of the absence of the Secreta-
ry of the Territory, it wps delayed tor sew
eral days, during which time was informed
by many respectable gentlemen, among
from which he desired his appointment, that
Mr sSherrard had been engaged in several
drunken broils-fghting, and Smoothing at
persons with pistols. and threatening others.
have since been informed that these facts
are notorious to the citizens of the place,
and can easily be su0stantiated by proof.
Should the contrary be made clearly to ap-
pear. no one will rejoice more heartily thar
myself.
But it is my desire to be distinctly under
stood, that | will commission no one labor
ing under such charges as would impair, if
not entirely destroy his usefuless, or whose
passions and habits would render unfit for
the proper discharge Of his duties, or which
might in any manner endanger the peace of
to Territory.
I am instructed from the source from
whence derive my appointment to pursue
this couse of policy The true interests of
the people of the Territory require it, and
it is sanctioned and approved by my own
Judgment.
JNO. W. GEARY.
Governor of Kansas Territory.
Thq Missouri Republican (pro-slavery)
says:
1t was this message that Sherrard mad lie
personal matter, and resented by cursing
Gov. Geary and splitting upon him, with the
supposed intention of killing him, if he gave
him the chance by resenting the insult.
Tho coolness and self-possession of the
Governor undoubtedly saved his life. He
passed on without beigning to notice his
assailant.