The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-11-07
wnl,en fot lhe Laneanet narelle.
EDNA, KEOx Co., No,

October, 18G1.I
| Messrs. Editoys;-Seyeral copies Of
your "GAzstle," arrived ia Edna. No.
in which we, the citizens we're surprised
at an article published in its columns,
which purports to have been indicted by
Mrs. Bitter ol Knox Co., Mo-, in which
she gives slanderous description Of the
state Of affairs in this county, and Of the
proceedings OF the past summer, We
have been eye witnesses Of all the diff.
culties, and have never known family
compelled to leave itheir homes. When
! the Socessionists visited Edna, which
was in August, they came in large force,
and the Home Guards. who were compa-
1ratiyely few in numbers, aud unarmed,
thought proper to retreat to Macon City,
where a small number OF Federal troops
we're stationed, protecting the railroad -
The families Of Union men were left and
some, through fear Of such hostile foes of
thoir country, and others, preferriug quiet
during the "reigh ofterror." which lasted
a week, visited their friends in the coun.
Try, and another inducement, they sup.
posed the rebel leader, Mart. Green,
would canonade the buildings Of the Un-
lion men, which caused them TO remove
some of their valuables into the country.
| The Srcessionsts did rob stores, and gro.
ceries, aud plundered the houses of the
Union people, took money, clothing and
provisions from them, and stole horses,
and wagons, &c, &C., yet they did not
do as badly as we expected, or as badly
as they had done other places. We con
sidered ourselves a favored people. They
were no doubt, needy set Of fellows.
When they found that their stay with
us was growing dangerous from the fact,
the "troops" were coming which brings
terror to the hearts of traitors, and after
visiting small town by the name of A.
thens and getting pretty badly whipped.
by the Home Guards there, they left US
lin double-quick time. and have never
troubled us since by their presence, only
as they pass through the country at night
In small squads stealing horses, ln ref
ference TO The "Union troops surpasang
Lii possible the SacesSiopists in commit
ting depredations,," we are prepared to
give perfect contradiction TO the state
ment There never was more than twelve
hundred Uuion men at one time in this
county, They never robbed stores, or
plundered houses, and we defy any per-
son TO give the evidence. Their officers
were very strict, and behaved very gen.
llemauly, and they were welcomed by all
loyal hearts when they came, and regret
, ted when they left. They brought their
provisions with them. They behaved as
men defending the best country, and the
best government the sun ever shone upon
should All this time, Mrs. Bitter lived
15 miles from Edna, and we ara qualified
to assert that she never was molested by
, either party, as the Secessionsts woulr
not molest them, from the fact that be-
, Son in law lives with them, and is a Sc
q cessionist, consequently would protec
them and the Union troops sooald not.
Our stores are not closed-they arr
not very well supplied, from the fac: tina
the Union men are afraid TO bring on I
heavy stock, for fear the rebels would re
turn and rob them. Our Hotels are no
!, closed-th inmates sreall cheerful ant
Z" happy; are all strong Union men and wo
: men, and all from slave States. Mr.. Big
d gers.aiF, formerly Of Rushyille. and ma
.e live OF Maryland. keeping the "Ohi
h Housej" Mr.. Robson, the proprietor
:, the f'Edina House" Is native Of Tenne'
VI see, and Shareholder, Mr., Reed Of th
is "AmeTican House" is,a Yirginian, aud
o Shareholder, the two latter are in the sci
VI vice; so much for that assertion.
!, rr Our county paper was owned by Ur
" :, ion man and edied, by Frank Daulto'
q, her son-in law; he turned traitor, and wa
ID expelled, not because the people could NJ
afford to supports, but because the reaC
"a ing portion were no. rebels. In referenc
/, to the robbers, they turned out to be s
" cessionists, and that is sufficient.
" We deplore very much the exlstir
,u circumstances; and pray for a speedy te
20 minalion. The day Of fasting and pray,
~ app6idted BY President Lincoln, was o.
1Te served BY many We had public worsh
II in the Catholic Church. * This way
We exageration is no way to relieve US of o.
It's dcplorable calamities, it only excites pc
5. pie TO darker deeds n,
); We are blessed with an abundant Sc
: son-curn.a .abeef and vegetables are vel
We plenty, and very cheap. Potatoes a
on selling at fifteen cents a bushsl; flour
I'M three dollars a hundred. apples gree
70 from twenty-five to fifty cents; butt
- from five to eight cents a pound; grocc
( les high and money scarce. Mrs, Bill
is living on the farm with their faith
rs. Biller. who is "a good substantial Uni
lis man, and will feel mortified at her m
81 representations.
j There are people here, who never 81
{ rye coffee Mr.. Bitter, her husband b
poor healthris worthy man and has
Il sympathy Of the people generally. '
l have no objeetionto Mrs, Bitler making
r,P proper appeal for help. As to their {
ion niestic wants, we know nothing abe
me them-suppose they are needy. But
= have serious objections to her false sta