Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-11-16
Gov. Palmer in an Unpleasant Fix.

worn out by fatigue. The Jail was burned
and the prisoners we're at large. Mil.
lions of dollars were exposed in bank
vaults and safes, and it was said that
hordes of rascals were hocking to the
place from all parts for plumber 1t was
aaid and believed that incendares would
burn the rest of the city. Men stood
guard before their own doors, and there
was general democrat cation, until Mayor
Mason appealed to General Sheridan for
4 assistance, which was promptly rendered
All the available troops at his command
were placed on guard over the lives and
property Of the stricken people, ard a
regiment of citizens gathered under Col.
Sherman to act "a special policemen
From that t me on order ana confidence
was restored.
Governor Palmer, who visited the city
while the regular soldiers and this vol
unteer regiment was on duty, thanked
Mayor Mason and General Sheridan per-
sonaIly, for their promptness in restoring
"order from chaos, and confidence from
universal terror.
Subsequently Col. Thos. w. Gross
venor, City Attorney, who was walking
home about midnight, was killed by one
of the volunteers Of Col Sherman's reri-
ment, who regarded him as suspicious
character and ordered him to halt. The
Colonel returned an uncivil answer, re-
fused to stop when challenged and was
shot by Treat the volunteer.
There was an attempt on the part of
Democratic politicians to make some
political capital out of this most unfor,
tunate affair Eleyen days alter it oc-
cured Governor Palmer wrote most ey
traordinary letter to the Attorney Gen.
eral Of the State, directing him to pro,
cure the Indictment Of Gen Sheridan,
Mayor Mason and Col Sherman for 'the
unlawful killing of Col Grosvenor.
lie treats the above named gentlemen
as guilty of Grosyenor's death, because
the regiment to which Treat belonged.
was not regularly organized, and under
his (Palmers) orders This attempt to
nrralgn AS criminals those who labored
for the public, created general surprise
1t was denounced by the best citizens.
and all the papers, we believe, except
the Times Later developments reveal
the Governor in a very unenviable light
1t appears from the following dispatches
sent Just after the fire, that he approved
the course pursued by Mayor Mason and
Gen Sheridan
STATE OF ILLINOIS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
SPRINGFIELD, Oct. TO- 1871.
DEAR siR:-Colonel II Dilger Adjutant General
etc. viii leave here this evening with one company
OF militia and 1000 muskets lie will also after re.
porting to YOU organize for the preservation of or.
der in your city. Colonel Dilger is an old soldier
has served under my eve on the field, and will pre-
serve order at all hazards lie has orders to enforce
Law, and he has muskes enough to do it efrecually
r ySHS' h. PALMER.
Endorsement
Gen SAe,fd0n
Irefer Colonel n. Drger to you for orders, If. in
your opinion, the men are not wanted, please order
aheir return, B. MASON
Mayor.
sPmNGrrElp, Dot. II, 1871.
LieHtendnt General p Sheriddn, Chicogo
Please inform me OF the number of troops ordered
Into Chicago by you on account Of the Are and that
are now on duty In the city Thanks for your
PrompIness JOHN ~ PALMER.
HEADQRs MILITARY Div. OF THE Missouri
tHcAGo, H.. Oct H. 1874.
C0o John " Tftiner. Sprint eEd. H.:
Seven companies of United States troops are her
Or coming, and regiment is being organized for
kWtblN haAs service rom me eln soldiers IN the
which think will be ample Shall keep your yolun- /
seers for day Thanks for them
p II. SHERTDAN
Lieutenant General
When the Grand Jury met, Judge viii |
Hams in charging them, alluded to the
communication of the Governor He |
Informed them that no one should inter-
tere with their deiiberation TO procure an |
Indictment His charge is dignifed, !
but cutting, scathing rebuke Of the gov
ernor. lie says of the letter:
1t should not exert any influence on you whatever
The prosecuting attorney Of this court informs me
Chat he knew nothing Of the letter said to be ad-
cssed to him, until he saw 1t puhshe in the city
papers If it vas written by the Governor, it was
only private letter to the district attorney, and
should have been in his hands before il was given to
the papers Possibly it may have cen procured by
some evil disposed person and given to the press
without the Governors consent, and for purpose
different from that for which 1t was written, and one
which the writer would not approve
II would be Inconsistent with the high reputation
OF our chief magistrate for Integrity and legal learn
Ing to suppose that he designed to have those let
tiers published in order to influence your action a
Grand Jury. The possibili that such would be
their effect, would be enough to deter him from Civ.
'ng them to the public You ought not to assume
that the respected chief magistrate of this STATE
would do an act highly ndecorous and improper in
any individual, and above All, Ia one whose duties
III" nov again iTeptat, llitse letters coIl
Mt have been meant TO influence you and your con
duct ought not in any event to be in the least Affect
81 by them.
The Eocniag Post reporter has inter-
viewed Gen, sheridan and Mayor Mason
and from them learned that Governor
Palmer called after the FIRE and thanked ,
shem for their exertous to preserve
order he said be would commend the
Mayors coarse in message or proclama-
ton, aud wrote him letter compliment
ing him The Mayor, however, refuses
to let it he published, notwithstanding
the TACT that the Governor attempted to