Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-05-20
LETTER FROM OOL THORNBURGH.
A Statements as to the Editor of the Lou
don journal.
WAsHINaroN, D. C., May II, 1874.

don journal.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May II, 1874.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: 1 have always
been slow to defend myself against personal
attacks made through the newspapers or
otherwise which have frequently reminded
me that the penalty of seat in Congress
is to be libelled and traduced, in every
possible manner that malice and desire
to displace me can invent.
But my attention has been called TO
several articles appearing recently in the
Loudon Journal, OF so bitter, false and
malicious o character, that am justified
think in making known the following
facts-well known in that community, but
perhaps not known by some into whose
hands copy of this paper may fall. do
| 30, not to defend myself against his attacks.
But if press and material were secured
and placed in the hands Of convicts that
prosecuted, and who are now serving in the
| penitentiary, for the purpose of traducing
me in the approaching canvass, L would,
| if presumed it necessary, call attention
| to the fact by stating to the public what
kind of men were held out as the respon-
sible authors of the ISLANDERS. With this
| idea in view / desire to make the follow
| ing statement:
| William G. Nelson, who claims to be
| the responsible editor of the Loudon Jour
nal, was indicted by me while was Attor-
ney General Of the district, in several
cases of felony. A gang of thieves, robbers
and murderers infested the country about
Loudon and Philadelphia, plying their
vocation in different ways. Some Grand
Jurors and myself became satisfied that
Nelson belonged to the clan. He was re-
lated to some of the wealthiest and most
respected citizens of the community; and
though bankrupt, pecuniarily and in
reputation, desired to appear as a leading
citizen of the community. The Grand
, Jurors, however, were on their oath,
and bills were found against him jointly
with others Of the clan. He tried
one, (perhaps two) Of the weakest cases
had against him, and the jury gave him
the benefit of doubt and he escaped. But
had one particular case, charging him,
and my recollection is Hart Duncan, a no.
torious outlaw, with robbing X. ii. Black
\ burn, of several hundred dollars of money,
, Government vouchers, &c. Blackburn,
who was reliable witness, swore before
the grand jury, that Duncan and the re-
sponsible editor of the LOudon Journal,
3 then trying to pass under the name OF
y Capt. Anderson, took him, pistols drawn
| from the road to the woods and robbed
him, when after threatening his life if he
e divulged the crime, Duncan proposed t
= let him retain enough of his money t.
buy him some liquor when Nelson refused
aud swore he should not keep a cent
4 This bill was found, if am not mis-
= taken, at the September term, 1866
U He continued it as often as
Q very lenient Judge would permit, by
/ affidavit then, if | am not mistaken, he
= | secured six other continuances by for
q feiting his bonds. Three years. delay ex
II hausted the patience of witnesses Wit
1 without compensation, at their own eX
: pense, and sometimes in their opinion
y and mine endangered their lives by attend
u ing court. Blackburn moved west anC
f. Nelson runs the Loudon Journal. 1t i
n unnecessary to say that their are othe
u interesting chapters in this mans history
but for the present | have only stated SOM
facts well known where he lives, and mos
ID of them on the records of the country
ID This man, whose only merit for the bust
ness for which he has been selected con
/ sists in his malice toward me, his de
J. sire to appear as a bully, aud hi
capacity for falsehood, SANDER an
n crime, is, l am told, to manage tn
~ editorial columns of newspaper, to teact
IN elevate, and enlighten that communit
)n during the approaching canvass. He wi
he do the community he resides In, and III
b. party he espouses, far more injury than b
r A: can do me- | have said more than wa
It's necessary already, but have left much VI
h. said but before concluding, let me say |
he my friends | shall regret II exceedingly
'al personal abuse is TO be the arguments
on the next canvass. I shall be slow to acceI
u such issues. l know that some desire, an
n aud are encouraging u bitter canvass. b.
~ II there Is no way to avoid personalitie
TO and this character of falsebood. cOncocte
and published by malice, IL to continue,
will, at the right time, and hope in sue
way az will meet the approval of m
friends, meet them and take the offensiv
The most serious charge my enemies ca
rst make against me, and one feel hardest
led defend, would be, that did not, vii
go, sufficient persistency and energy, Ere
Blackburn before time faded the testimon
out and consequently he is now affecting
40 peacaable, respectable and religious cor
es muuity with newspaper.
we J. NJ. THoREBCRGH