The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-02-06
senate Bill MOI.

Editors InteLLfgenceT.
The writer of the article on the "Sen-
ate Bill No. l." signing himself Gene
terry" published in your paper of
yesterday morning, says: sit is proper
that the public should be informed that
no offer of compromise was made to
the five persons who purchased the
graveyard, until over eighty lots had
been sold and some interments made,
after which no compromise could be
entertained without the consent of said
lot-holders."
Much has been said as to misrepre-
sentation of facts in this case by an
nonymous writer's, and 1 therefore
think it but right to make the following
statement over my own signature.
It has been my fortune TO be connect
ed in business for some years past with
Catholics, and believe they will, one
and all do me the justice to say that
have never manifested by word or deed
any hostility to them, or to their Pc
culiar religious faith. Any opposition
l may have made to the cemetery at
Leatherwood has been on the ground
that it was a cemetery and not that it
was catholic institution.
Soon after concluded the purchase
of my property at observation-disclosures
time in February last-I met Mr.. Thos.
O'Brien near the entrance to the Gene
terry grounds. He then and there stat
ed to me that their company could, at
that time, purchase a property that
would answer their purpose better, for
u small advance on the price paid for
the Leatherwood property, and that
they would sell it to us at cost.
replied that 1 would see the parties
interested and thought the purchase
could be arranged. Mr.. Updegratf he
stated was the proper party to nego-
tiate with.
Within twenty-four hours after this
conversation l saw my neighbors and
called on Mr.. Updegraff with authority
to offer to him the then cost for the pro-
perty without naming any specified sam.
My offer was so indignantly rejected
that went off under the impression
that hod been guilty of some impro-
priety in making an offer that had
been informed by one of the PARTIES in
terested, would be acceptable to them.
Feeling little sore on the manner in
which my offer had been received, L
stated to Mr.. UpdegrRff that I would
not again approach him on the subject
and that we would have to resort to
some other means to rid ourselves of
the nuisance. Mr.. Updegraff was not
in when entered his Office, but finding
the Bishop there, and believing him to
be interested, stated to him my bust
ness. He disclaimed having anyt hing
whatever to do with it, and stated that
he had used his influence in opposition
to the project. 1 had not then, nor
have l now, any reason to disbe-
lieve his statements, though L be-
lieve he has since lent all his
principal influence to this nuisance in
our midst.
Atthe time I made the offer above men
toned, no inducements had been made.
L believe no lots had been sold, and it is
my impression the survey had not
been completed or even commenced.
believe it is a fact that an offer of tlDo
thousand dollars (S2,OOO) was made to
them simply on the condition that
they would agree the property should
not be used for cemetery purposes-as
agreed to pay my proportion of that
sum in case it should DO accepted. An
affidavit of the fact is also on record in
the case now pending in the Circuit
Court. Yours respectfully,
JNo. P. GILCHRIsT.