Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-01-24
ANSWER OF COMMITTEE.

ANSWER OF COMMITTEE.
The answer of James North, Jacob A
Christy. Noah A. Elder, Amos II. Mar
tin. and John Yeakley, the defendants, to
the bill of complaint of james Robinson,
the Plaintiff
These defendants reserving to them
selves all right of exception to the said
bill of complaint for answer thereto say,
l. AS to the matter contained in Sec
tion l. of Plaintiffs bill, we deny that
his total lors was 900
9. We have no knowledge or informa-
ton, save by Plaintiffs bill, and cannot
set forth, as to our belief or otherwise,
whether his indebtedness is OF is not S., 200.
3. We deny that schedule "A contains
a correct estimate of the actual loss of
all the persons therein named, and we
further deny that they are entitled to re-
ceive the sums therein mentioned.
SECTION II.
AZ to the matter contained in Section
III, of Plaintiffs bill,
l. We admit the payment Of s3,5OOto
the persons therein named.
We deny any belief or knowledge on
our part that James NJ Sellers is man
of large means and worth over $4,000
3. We deny the averments and allega-
tions of Plaintiff, that the payments
therein mentioned were made either
through fraud or negligence on our part,
and We further deny that We well knew
at the time of so doing. that the persons
mentioned in said Section were not the
objects of the bounty of the State, and
were in no wise entitled to any part of
the said 100000. and we deny that the
retention of $4,000 by us for services
were mispayments.
SECTION III
As to the matter contained in Section
III, Of Plaintiffs bill.
l. We deny each and all the averments
and allegations in the first paragraph of
Section III.
2. We deny that the compensation re-
tanned was unlawful and was a misappli-
cation of said fund, as alleged in the sec-
ond paragraph.
3. We deny that the sum of SO. 800 was
misapplied and that it should be Or
should have been distributed pro rata as
mentioned in the third paragraph.
4. The averment in the fourth para
graph is impertinent.
SECTION Nv.
And the defendants further answering
say. That the Act of Assembly of the
S.h day Of February A. D., 1871. afore-
said for the relief of certain citizens of
Mifflintown, directed that the 100000,
therein appropriated, should be distribu-
ted by said defendants as committee
under their direction and by their au-
thority. That the defendants accepted
the trust committed to them and faithful
ly endeavored to perform their duties re
quired by said Act. That the defend
ants met on the 10th day Of February,
A. D., 1871, and organized as a commit
tee by the election of Amos II. Martin,
President, Jacob A. Christy, Secretary.
and James North, Treasurer. and fur
ther directed that all claimants for said
fund should present to the committee
(the said defendants.) at their next meet
ing sworn itemized statement and esti
mate of their losses of personality over
and above insurance, and notice of which
proceeding and meeting was given by
publication in newspapers printed in
Mifflintown. From statement and infor
nation it was established that sirty-e,ght
individuals and one corporation suffered
in loss Of property on the night of 31st
of December 1870, and of this number
sir,y four made application for relief.
SECTION V.
And the defendants further say, that
they held number of meetings, as said
committee, and after much discussion,
deliberation and interchange of opinion
the applicants for relief were considered
as properly separablein into three classes as
follows. The first class consisting of the
needy and destitute; the second class
consisting of those who had suffered in
loss of property, but were protected by
insurance and the third class, property
holders with trifling or no insurance. |
SECTION vi.
And the defendants further say that