Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-06-08
(CommunIoated.N
A sIander Refuted.

Ma. EDITOR In your paper OF June 9th
appears a false and slanderous statement
written by some party interested in defaming
me, and signed by Wm. Henry Smith, and
henry Schneerer, pretending to be a correct
ion" Of recent contradiction OF these same
ISLANDERS made by me through the Dayton Jour
ual. These ISLANDERS were first put in crcu-
lalior in the portion of the city in which do
business, by an Albright preacher named
Fukes, who conceived q hatred TO me on &C.
count OF Withdrawing from his church and
he took good deal Of pains TO foment trouble
between me and comrades who were in the
service with me, and who were my fellow pri-
soners in the South. This Fukes related these
false and inconsistent stories 10 ali with whom
he was acquainted, and who would listen TO
them; and he publicly and privately declared
his purpose 10 break me down and run me
out Of the city" His motive in this matter
which did not directly concern him, is Ap-
parent The story OF my making money in
rebel pr ons-"consderable greenbacks' -
is 20 preposterous that | have only to call at.
tenton to it to show its foolish falsity. The
statements OF these men Of what they have
learned and what they beiieee, about my bad
treatment of my comrades in prison, will be
met by legal testimony which will put these
slauderers down. You will do me the justice
to insert the following letter, and affidavit
made to its truiS, which will close my news.
paper controversy. For ;he rest | shall in-
stilute legal proceedings; which parties who
are endeavoriug to break me down" for the
right OF thinking and acting for myself in
matter OF conscience, will find not 80 pleasant
an undertaking as they supposed.
GABRIEL DURsr,
Grocery, Corner of Fifth aud Wayne
The letter and affidavit are as follows:
ABERDEEN, Quo, May &c, 1865. 4
Friend burst received your very
kind note, and was greatly surprised TO hear
Of any one saying anything unpleasant in re.
gard TO your treatment Of f. Miller, while he
lay sick in Andersonville prison for il be
had been your only brother, you could not
have shown any more kindness towards him
than you manifested in your unceasing at
tention to him while he stayed in prison. Aud
after he went TO the hospital | know of you
sending him money at least twice If mis-.
take not you sent him $40 90 at one time, aud
IS 90 at another besides numerous other lit.
lie kndnesses that you performed for him,
and not only to him, but TO entire strangers.
In your little difficulty with Henry Smith,
as far Is am capable Of judging of quarrel,
you acted only on the defensive, and you
was very slow to do that for there was not
one man in hundred who would have taken
kad The abuse from him you did say this
from no ill-feehng to Smith, as he and nev.
er had any hard words but testify to the
truth that the right way win, and justice be
dealt to ali concerned
Now Durst il this Is not sufficient to clear
you OF the ISLANDERS against you, let me know,
and will appear before your aeeusers 10 trial,
and give O verbal abatement OF the facts con.
tained in this. wonld make more extern
ded statement, but deem Il unnecessary, for
all who knew you while in prison will say that
you acted the part OF an exemplary christian
towards those who lay PROSTATE with disease.
Yours with respect,
W. Il, GRIKRsoN.
State Of Ohio, Brown County townships of
Aberdeen; EFT
Personally appeared before me, Thomas
SHELTON, a Justice of the Peace in and for
said County, WM. f. GRFRsoN, who deposeth
aud saith, on solemn oath, that the within
letter is just and true, az be believes,
WM +. GMERsoR,
lFn TO and subscribed in my presence
this second day OF June, 1866.