The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-04-22
Musgrove Rises to Explain.

To the Editor Of the Standard:
In your paper of March 18th l find an
article headed, "Kanses-Two Sides to
the Question" written by one H. C.
Miller. in answer to an extract from
private letter written by myself to Capt
w. D. Phillips of Wellston, which was
published without my knowledge or con-
sent. No doubt it was done with the
best intentions, but it seems to have ex-
cited the ire of the charitably disposed
writer who seems to think it more bless
ed to give (abuse) than to receive. What
| wrote l intended should apply only to
this county. AS it was not intended for
publication l was not SO explicit as
should have been. had been writing for
publication. | did say that there was
doubtless much suffering among the
Homestead Districts, and | must say
that | think it strange if counties that
have been settled ten, twelve, and even
twenty years are worse off than this
which Is the farthest county west with
one exception, and III the Southern tier
OF counties. None of our settlers have
been here over four years, and but few
over two. We have been exposed to the
Indian raids. Two or three hundred of
our settlers were organized into militia
companies for two or three months, Tor
which, as yet they have received nothing.
All this in addition to the calamiti's
which the older counties have been sub
jected to. Mr.. Miller gives Hon. Alfred
Gray's report. Had he known the man
ner in which this report was prepared, |
think he would have said less about it..
L. was done in this way Blanks were
sent to the different townships. These
were left in some public place and those
who wished to do so came in and put
down their names with the number OF
their families, wants, &c, often including
hired hands and boarders. Townships
reported in some instances two and three
hundred, when there Were not ten desti-
tute persons in the whole" Township.
| rhe reports were consolidated 10y counties
making up the enormous number OF
32.6l4. Of so little Importance did tie
bers knowing how it was prepared-that
they refused to donate any portion or
part of the surplus S2UO,000 that now
lies in the State Treasury.
Some of the extracts from private let
ters that Mr.. Miller gives know are
rom persons living in the districts
mentioned. Others live in localities that
l am unacquainted with from the ir
heading. As for stock dying OF starva-
ton, have heard OF nothing OF the kind
only through Eastern papers. There
has been over four thousand head OF
cattle wintered in this township and
along the line in the Territory not one
fourth of which has had "a bite of hay or
grain this winter Butchers have bought
beeves from these herds that have made
excellent beef. As to the motive l had
in writing to Capt. Phillips, will simply
state that we have been in the habit of
corresponding when separated any dis
tance, all our lives, and I did notFwish
him to be imposed on by bogus sufferers
The party, Smith, that | mentioned
and who did not supersede me-if at
large, is, l suppose, conniving with the
treasurer of some relief committee for
his benefit. 1t has been reported here
that he was in Jail for attempting to pass
IA forged draft, and l think it very proba-
| ble.
The relief goods of which failed to
gat Il lions share or even one cents worth
are virtually in my possession. as they
are in building that have control OF,
an keep the only key to the building.
But | have nothing to do with their dis
tribu ton for reasons before given.
too would rather ten unworthy men
4 should be fed than one worthy should
suffer, but | do not approve OF the plan
o taking from ten worthy men, causing g
them to suffer in order to feed one un-
worthy man. l do not wish any contro-
versy with Mr.. Miller. l am convinced
that he knows but little about the sub
ject | think he should be more careful
in language. Gentlemen here on the
frontier do not accuse others of misrep
resrnting as he has done without better
proofs Almost everything he accuses
me of is based on conjecture. Were ! to
indulge in the same l should accuse him
of motives similar to that of certain
silversmith of old, who, when he found
mis- occupation that brought him much
gai :, injured Gy certain truths that were
being promul gated, lesan to shout, Great
is Diana OF the Ephesians r But will
let it go.
Rep ectfully Yours,
j. r. MUSGROVE