The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-09-14
Correspondent.
A FaIsehOOd Nailed TO the
Counter.
For the Democratic Statesman.
AUSTIN, September 6, 1871.


SIR-The Georgetown Watchnlan,
and the State Journal, have just
published some slanderous charges
in reference to what occurred at the
recent session of the District Court
at Llano.
"HOn. NJ. H. Bowers, Col. Charles
Bruce and Julius Oatman," are de-
nounced for having "fred the South
ern heart to the point of bloodshed-
ing" The people of Llano county
have always been Democratic; but
not one drop of the blood of their
political opponents has ever been
she'd IN the county.
w. K. Foster, of the Georgetown
Watchman, was at Llano when we
the Court and members Of the bar
arrived at that place. But during
the last few days of his stay at
Llano, instead of attending to his
duties as Supervisor of Education,
Foster was intoxicated, and was
staggering around, and demeaning
himself in the most disgraceful and
Objectionable manner. There was a
colored man who was awaiting his
trial for stealing horse. Foster
bought a bottle of whisky, and actu-
ally took the cOlOred man and openly
drank from the bottle alternately
with the negro; and the same action
was repeated with another colored
man. The people became very much
annoyed by such drunken depravlty
of conduct on the part of Foster,
and sent Mr.. William Miller, res
pectablc old gentleman, to advise
Foster that he had better go home,
for in such condition he might get
into trouble. Foster became greatly
excited, and was swearing that he
would not 60 until he got ready;
and while using the most insulting
remarks about the people of Llano,
gentleman interposed, and a diff
Guilty might have occurred between
him and Foster had not the By
ISLANDERS interfered.
The grand jury being in session,
and hearing about the noise and ex-
citement, presented a protest against
any further notice or interference
with Foster. And he was assured,
by the people present, that he should
not be hurt. This is the outrage
which is alleged to have occurred
at Llano.
As an evidence that the people of
Llano county were willing, and even
anxious, that both sides of the poll
teal question should be fully under
stood, arrangements we're made by
Capt. Geo. W. Miller, chairman of
the executive committee for Llano
county, and others, for Maj. Vaughn,
the radical district attorney, and
myself to have a public discussion of
political issues, and the relative
merits of Judge Hancock and Mr..
Degener as candidates for Congress,
at the court house, on Wednesday
night, with general invitation for
all the people to attend. But, Mr..
Vaughn, who had been drinking for
several days, failed to appear; and
when the time arrived, 1 addressed
the meeting, and was followed by
Senator Bowers who made a short
satisfactory and eloquent,
such as he only can make-against
the operation of the school bill and
the present taxation. At this meet
ing, as we'll as the tax payers meet.
ing and mass meeting in which Col.
Bruce participated as one of the
speakers, the utmost harmony pre-
vailed.
am acquainted with almost every
man in Llano county. IfMr. Dege-
ner, or the administration, has a sin
gle bona fde supporter in the county,
| have failed to find him out. And
I believe that every voter in the
county will go to the polls and vote
for Judge Hancock for Congress.
have written these facts for pub
LEGATION, for two reasons-to show
the falsity of the charges against a
community of people, made by the
Watchmaaa and reproduced by the
Journal, for political effect; and as
an example of the kind of men the
Davis administration appoints to
Office against the wishes of a large
class of intelligent citizens, who are,
in every respect, capable and anx,
ious, for self government.
The editor of the Waterman, will
1 have no doubt, deny these facts.
But l do not fear denunciation for
what I have stated about Foster is
substantially true in every particu>
lar, and the afidavits of any number
of witnesses can be obtained to make
good every charge 1 have made
against him. Respectfully,
]. F. OATMAN.