Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-03-28
Speaking Out Loud.
Mr. EpITOR.-

Mr.. EpIToR:-
Wishing to correct few statements OF
your correspondent from Woodman, in your
last issue, March 81, 1881 would say that
the respectable part OF the village of Wood
man and surrounding country do uphold Cole
ii shooting Bangs. Bangs has but very few
sympathizers.
As the people of this county are well aware,
and especially that part that joins Woodman
that there is a"ciique" formed here, containing
from ten to fifteen desperadoes, who have, dur
ing the past year ravaged the village and coun-
try, at night time, and stolen wheat, turkeys,
pork, apples, corn, -four, boots, liquor, money,
and various other things too numerous to
mention.
These depredations the correspondent calls
"frivolous offenses" The moral part or sup.
per crust" as he calls them, have tried in vain
to bring these Williams to justice. They by
their false swearing and numerous threats
have managed to defeat Justice in the law He
also nfers that j. l.. err has brought $500
to 81 900 cost on the county through his in
fuence which is not the case. He has only
done his duty as an officer, and has tried to
restore peace and harmony to the town Al
though it has resulted in the burning of his
property here, he is still not afraid and is will
ling to do his duty as an officer and as peace
full and law abiding citizen. This Ku Klux
band have made more threats, which if car
ried out will result in an entire humiliation of
their force.
Your correspondent says there is moral
part, an supper crust" in our town. For my
part am glad we have moral part or Cup
per crust" 1t seems that he can distinguish
US from his tribe and see US in our true posi-
ton. He, then, must certainly belong to the
other side or ''under crust" as he is ashamed
to sign his name to the article publicly. He
evidently is afraid to show his colors.
Mr. Cole, as far as we know, is a respectable
person. He has been in Woodman for the
past two winters and has behaved like gen.
tleman. He has never taken part in any of
their stealing, riots, &c. and was supposed to
BE, 10 say the least, on good terms with Bangs,
until short time before the shooting occurred
when he, Cole, had some money stolen. Cole
having heard, from good authority, that his
life was in danger, prepared himself; both on
account of his being witness against Adkins
on liquor suit and because certain parties
had said that if he, Cole, suspicioned them of
stealing his money they would kill him. He
did not carry a revolver till he heard these
threats. Neither did he steal revolver as
was stated. 1t seems there was warrant is
| sued for the arrest of Cole, and they tried to
secure the services of Chas. Bennett, but he
| refused and would have nothing to do with it.
Should Coles services be needed again or
should ne be in very great demand think he
could be produced on very short notice. with
out the aid of detective. Perhaps if the
| clique would bnrn few more buildings they
might succeed in finding Cole or some one
equally as courageous. Should the correspon-
| dent wish the names of the leaders of the
"cique"he can get them of the undersigned, by
| calling on him personally.
The liquor, that was stolen of j. r. Muir
phey was taken the night before the shooting Of
Bangs by Cole, on Monday night March 18th
| Let us have truth as well as peace in Wood
man. LAvETTE PARKER
Woodman March 25th 1873