The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-05-18
EN- CHIEF JUSTItE WILL
HANS
His Complaints Against the Kick
man Courier,

N.Y. may I5Mi pronOunclnR an AItiC'e
which appeared in the Hickman COURIER
in it's issue of May 4, about himself, as
malicious, false, and libe GUS"
Judge Williams in this communication
prints n letter, addressed to the editor of
the Hickman COURIER, under date of May
10, demanding responsible authority for
the publication which had appeared in
the COURIER, aud stating that up to that
date, (the l4th) lie "had not heard from
him. The actual date of said letter was
The 9Th of May, and on the 9th the editor
of The COURIER replied to Judge Williams
note, respectfully profering to give to
him the authority upon which the article
in the COURIER WAS basel, disclaiming
any personal knowledge or the least de-
sire to I'M lure or misrepsent, but that the
letters in our possession proposed "fo
Prore every statement therein made,
and that we regarded said authority as
reliable aud ample for our protection; and
at the same time rendering TO him the un-
| restricted use Of our columns for any
proper vindication. Judge Williams re-
piled, under date of My 10, dcknowiedg
ing the receipt of our letter. Hence it APP
pears to US, unaccountable that he should
write to the American, on the 18th, stating
that up to that date, he had not heard
from Us. 1t is possible, if his letter of
the 7th had have elected letter of re
traction from US, it would have appeared
in his communication to the Nashville
American.
The local item in the CoURIEs, to which
Judge Williams so grievously objects, was
gathered precisely as her items OF the
same nature, aud could have been prompt
ed by no desire to 10 injustice to any of the
parties We have no interest in the mat
ter now or then, except 80 lar as is nee
essary for the protection OF the veracity
of our publication, and for the protection
: of public morals-a duty incumbent on
all journalists.
The article in the COURIER, which is
pronounced malicious, false, and libel
lous, was local. paragraph stating that
Mrs. R. X williams bad brought suit
against R. K Williams, for alimouy, and
that the suit involved high degree OF
= interest owing to the high standing OF
the parties; that sometime since Judge
Williams had been tried and pronounced
deranged, and sent to the asylum at
HopkinsviIlc and that after being re
leased from the asylum, he went to Utah
and procured a divorce from his wife
: the plaintiff in the suit alluded TO- That
then returning to kentucky, he proceeded
. TO Mississippi aud was there married q
n another woman, with whom he is nov
. living "a man and wife in the city o
n Paducnh The local paragraph gave
). these statements as hearsoy closing wit
. the opinion, II all these rumors are true
that .The most charita bic view of TIA
> case is that h. Is auI has peen crazy "a
l. through the whole matter and that
4 they were true lit was said that he was
good for a term Of years in the penIten
tIary.'
wat part or parts, in thLt article
= Judge Williams, prOnouuces "maiiclou
false. and Hbelons," he has never ye
b stated; aud we do not know so as TO Sc
3 hun Alright il misrepreseuted-
That Mrs. Il. IL. Williams did sue him
in the Graves Circuit Court, for alimony
&c his own letter 10 the Nashville Aaeocd
} admits; aud Of course the suit - 4 uiattel
u OF record.
: That he was tried, and pronounced de
n ranged by a Jury of his county men an
l. sent 10 the asylum At Hopkinsville. l.
= Also a matter OF record aud we not onl
T. saw II III The papers 81 Ia at da'e, bu
talked TO men present At the sad trial.
Tint ne did go TO Utah aud obtain
divorce through The courts there, we hav
never heard disputed % denled-not eve
by himself.
n That he did 60 to Mississippi and ther
> marry another won1n, is a well know
fact, the marriage being printed in IN
papers. aud that lac Is now living wit
her IA the city OF PaIucaA IS eq tally a
true and we'll known.
{ Where then ~ the libeous part Of III
" local paragraph in the Hickman COURIER
! Even at this writing, our pen is tempere
with symp4thy, less by possIOuity "
mi ght do in Justice to the wreck OF
once proud and able old man, if misfor
tune should he interpreted as Grim
But, his assault upon US in the publ
prints, demands that we should CIV
- something of Justification and vindIca
ton of our article ia regarl 10 the mas
e ter. Our article was gathered not oul
AS articles of such nature are usual
4. gathered by newspapers but IL suppOrte
by letters. now in our possession, from
source any reasonable man might we
"
nj One of these letters says: There
Re nothing in that local but the truth
= Stand by what you have published. TIL
sworn testimony of the most respectahl
e persons in Graves county, shows yo
have published nothing but the truth.
ye Again another letter of different dat
80 snys: "If he (Julge Willinms) doe
make war upon you, let me know. aud
! will put you in possession OF AL the fact
it.tt n u In "A . IA IN A. l.ab
these facts are sufficient TO lam him fOi
ever in the estimation of all respectable
right thinking persons, and are niue
Pr stronger aud more damaging 10 MIN thi
or those published by you. Those puolishe
by you are the mild facts.
>, We have written for authority 10 phi
lish these letters in full. with the test
ID mony offered, if necessary, aud wi
doubtless have permission by our mel
issue.
h.. The paragraph first printed in II
40 COURIER was intended as n current loc'
news item, with no more or further II
~ tent. The matter of divorces, ''Suit
for Alimony," and such like, are usual
published by newspapers, the differei
/. stages aud results of such actions noted
and in accordance with this custom Il
COURIER published said article. We ha'
pr no desire to do Judge Williams or any oil
rs else the least injustice in any particula
DC and will not Knowingly; but if the eau
sh of truth and public morals demands tn
his actions shall be published rhe CoUl
re Ter will not shrink from its duty as
be independent journal. The fact that he h
been Chief Justice of the State of kel
lucky, and for years occupied high al
prom nent position in Common wealt
shall not shield him if his actions deserV
public censure. These relations al
pubiishel in regard to farmers mel
chants, mechanics, and people III the o
binary walks of life, and why not in r,
gard to Judge Williams?
If he is innocent, if he is the victim
misfortune, or Of wrong, let his vinlics
/ tfon appear co-extensive with his fam
u and be read by all who knew and truste
to him. The prominence of mans charact
al should not invite calunny, and Meth,
nd should it deter one from exposing wron
doiugs. Tie CoURIER will treat judi
u Williams precisely as any other citize
us without prejudice, fear, IA or or afectio
We know nothing. and have said nOthin
as TO the material facts of his guilt
=, innocence, or any extenuating circuu
" stances that he may produce. and if v
-, are forced to the publication of lette
= and detailed testimony as TO the unfort
- nafe affair- we shall do so more in