Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-08-08
The Dispatch-Its Faisehoods
Exposed-Ths I" Conspiracy "
Matter Explained.

EXp0SeQ-In5 conspiracy
Halter Explained.
KYGER, ONO, AUGUST 5rH, 1867
EDITOR GALLIPoLIs JOURNAL:
/ noticed an article in that lyin,
Locofoco sheet, the Gallipolis Dis
patch, of August I'd, headed ''infa
, nous outrage in which the edito
pretends to detail the circumstances
of the difficulty between portion O
the citizens of Kygeryille and james
A. Pankey, growing out of the post
Office difficulty at this place, and tn,
arrest of said Pankey, upon war
rant for perjury, every material poinr
of which is UNANIMOUSLY false.
i Up to this time, notwithstanding
| the outrageous libels heretofore pub
lshed in that contemplate sheet,
had advised that no reply should be
made 10 these attacks, nor any detail
of the facts stated, because l was
anxious that the public mind should
not be prejudiced in any way, until
an impartial public trial could be had
of the whole matter. But the open
notorious and unblushing lies of the
Dispatch renders it necessary that 8
simple narration of the facts should
be given. And just let me say what
is not true. It is not true as stated
in said article that the ''sweet scented
loyalist," at Kygerville, have had an
"object to be attained" in ''the re-
moval of Pankey," but on the con-
trary have always and do now, court
a public investigation of the whole
affair. 1t is not true that Pankey
received any anonymous" letter, on
any subject from any person in KY
gerville, nor is there person in any
way connected with the difficulty, ,ex-
cept one, that had any personal
difficulty with Pankey whatever. Nor
is it true that the 'mob" commenced
shooting at him. But enough of
this. The simple facts, as detailed
in evidence, and as, known to the
whole people here are, that a warrant
was issued upon an affidavit of
Matthew Lasley for the arrest of
Pankey, he Pankey beng at the time
On business at Pomeroy. Perry
Baldwin, a man being on Pankey's
farm, learning that the warrant had
been issued, went in search of Pan
key and met him some four miles be-
low Kygerville, and informed him
that warrant was out for his arrest,
and that he might be arrested as he
went through the town that night, to
which Pankey replied that he would
not be arrested, clapped his hand to
his revolver and said, that would
take him through the place. When
Pankey arrived at Kygerville, which
was about 20 minutes before 10
O'Clock, the constable told him to
stop, that he had warrant for his
arrest, Pankey replied that he would
not be arrested, and began to urge
his horses forward, when the con-
stable stepped quietly to the head of
the horses, caught one of them by
the brlble, and again told him in
very loud voice that he had war
rant for his arrest, and asked him
again to stop. Pankey replied that
he would not be taken, raised to his
feet, fired at the constable, sprang
from his wagon and started for his
house, closely pursued by Mr.. link,
one of the constables guard. Pan
key ran about IS yards, then wheeled
and fired at the guard, when the
guard, link, drew a revolver and re-
turned the fire, both running at full
speed. The fire was keptup until both
parties had emptied their revolvers,
without any effect On either side. As
soon as Pankey had exhausted the
loads in his pistol he turned to make
fight with the party following him,
drew his pistol to strike link, when
he was caught, secured and taken
before the Justice, to answer the
charge preferred against him
These are the facts exactly as they
were sworn to on the examination.
Pankey himself was examined under
oath on said examination, and did
not contradict single fact here de-
tailed, except that he stated that he
did not hear the constable say he
had warrant; the evidence, however
was entirely conclusive that he did
hear it and reply to it. He did not
deny that he knew that the warrant
was issued for his arrest, and l be-
lieve he admitted it. No person in
or about the place, interfered in the
least with the arrangements of the
constable for making the arrest, or
so far as 1 can learn, gave him any
advise with regard to his duties on
that occasion. The result showed
that he was not any too well prepared
to make the arrest safely.
Now Mr.. Editor, / would like to
say a word about the terrible crime
committed by the citizens of this
place against the United States Cor
ernment ! was not in the county at
the time the transaction occurred,
but from very careful investigation
of all the facts, l am enabled to say
that never in this world did so small
an affair create so much disturbance.
There was nothing transpired which,
but for the outrageous conduct of
certain small United States officer,
and a few dirty pot house politicians
of Gallia county, would have created
any excitement; outside of the little
village, for single hour.
The facts are that Pankey received
a commission as postmaster at this
place sometime in January last. He
lived about three-fourths of mile
above town, and the same distance
from the post route, and intended to
remove the post Office there; this was
clearly contrary to the department
and Tate, the old post
master, refused to give up the Office
to him to be removed, and wrote to
the department information Of Pan
lxav's intenfionS Pankev had NO