The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-14
SENATOR MITCHELL, OF OREGON.
He Tells His Own Story-HOw He Hap
pened 60 Leave Pennsylvania and Why
He Changed His Name.

To THE PEOPLE OF OREGON
lnasmuch as certain articles have appeared in
terms ON my conduct in my native State Pennsyl-
vania) In early life, submit to the people OF Ore
gon, who have known me intimately for thirteen
wears, the following statement and evidence in
answer to the charges made in such articles.
by IN ANONYMOUS correspondent, impute to me any
dishonest act | deny them, and each and all Of
them, positively unequivocally and absolutely and
pronounce them and each OF them wholly false.
And submit to the people OF oregon. that though
It is fact that HAD my misfortunes IN early life
and encountered domestic troubles OF painful
character, resulting in separation and divorce
troubles which trust your generous indulgence
will permit me to pass in sence-it IS
my privilege to be able to say that In all the time
that resided in Pennsylvania l committed no
wrong nor did any act that has ever lost to me the
ner there Colonel JoSn NJ ThonpsonMwnom the
articles In question charged ME with wronging-or
OF any one who had the intimate knowledge OF my
history that lie had, and SO far as all the charges
against nae are concerned prefer, rather than
giving my swn version, to abide by the testimony
herewith submitted coming as IL does, from men
OF prominent position and unimpeachable integ-
rity, most OF whom know personally my whole
history In Pennsylvania from earliest boyhood and
all of whom have fuil knowledge VI my reputation
there now.
Any charge or pretence that ever wronged my
former partner, Colonel Thompson, or any other
man, In Pennsylvania or elsewhere out Of one cent
or any amount whatever, or ever attempted to do
50, Is untrue That 1 ever had any difference or
difficulty with that gentleman, as charged or in
any manner or for any reason, IL equally false. ON
the contrary, have always had and still have his
confidence and respect.
IL is true that at the time LEFT Pennsylvania the
law firm, OF which Colonel Thompson and myself
were tile only members, had an unsettled business,
including an amount OF outstanding accounts IN
which had onc-hai interest The frm was also
indebted in certain amounts. Before leaving the
in said arm. together with certain other property,
which at the time was believed TO be amply sum-
Client to meet oil demands; and the whole business
ton, not only OF my said partner, but Of all other
persons, and without the loss or one cent to any
one In the settlement OF this business and sale OF
property a deficiency existed OF few hundred
dollars, which subsequently paid; and In support
OF the statement here made, as well as In evidence
of the confidence In which am held to-day by my
old friends and acquaintance In Pennsylvania,
herewith submit q despatch, received by me on the
27tn inst, from said law partner:-
TO yous IT, xrcnylr United states u senaicr .y :" 1919
No n X 5 % s ss, sn ~ yS" q.
confidence and good viii q every man who knows you
sert yeo whe they Know e whole truth Of the
ySS nss n[e all right JOAN a n II Z sP
without conceding that it IS the right OF any
man to demand that should lay my domestic
affairs before the world. simply state that mis-
fortune with respect TO these relations was the
sole cause oil my course In leaving my native state
and l aver that was and am Justified not only
In my own mind In the course pursued, but also,
30 far ~ am aware, in the opinion OF all candid
persons well acquainted with the facts. AS an
evidence OF the truth OF what say, and as FUR
tner vinulcaton OF my character for integrity IN
relation TO the matters charged, herewith submit
telegram rom Mr. Samuel A. Purviance, Of
Pittsburg, Pa, for several years member Of Con-
gress from that State. and Mt present member OF
the Constitutional Convention new in session in
Philadelphia, gentleman who has known me
intimately from childhood and Is familiar with my
whole history in Pennsylvania, and whose integ.
rlty wiz not be questioned by any man who knows
him:-
-, PHItApkLpnIA, Pa, May q, 1873
In leaving rennsyivana ~ was not alleged 7 believe
that you were indebted 10 but your MIA
law partner, Coone John NJ Thompson a nd know The
fact from Colonel Thompson himself that YOU do not owe
him nyhiug and further that your relations with him
continue 10 be Of must harmonious character believe
that Pennsylvania ever lost dollar in conse.
qucnce OF your leaving the State The cause OF your
leaving the State we'll understood to get rid OF
II ouble OF an entirely domestic nature.
SAMUEL A. PURv1ANCE.
also herewith submit the following rom a let
ter addr essed w nc Nv Washington city. dated ut