The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-10-22

public officer. and, as such, felt II his duty
70 bear, - best he could, the attacks of
those who assailed him. But when bis
official term was about to expire. and
he be remanded to private ranks, he made up
his mind that be would no longer bear the
assaults OF the Star. So when, in July last
MAJOR Simpson. in a letter from Cincinnati
to the Star, spoke of him in an offensive man
ner. he sought redress by assaulung Simpson
and giving him severe personal castigation.
So. too, when in the Star a few days ago, Simp
son declared there were fraudulent water
bonds of this city sfioat, and intimated in
such way that his meaning could not be
mistaken that Howard was the guilty
author OF the fraud. the latter
again resorted to violence by knocking
Simpson down with his cane, and striking
him after he was down. That be had no
intention OF seriously iDjuring his enemy is
apparent from the fact that, although he had
Simpson completely at kis mercy, ne in
hicted no serious injury upon him. After
he had left the major and had walked some
so feet away. the latter drew his pistol and
shot at Howard four several times, one of
the bullets making the wound that caused
his death.
That Howard did wrong, in scriptural
sense, in assaulting Major Simpson in the
manner he did admits of no controversy
The Good Book tells us when smitten on Que
cheek to turn the other, but human nature
says when stricken in tender place return
the blow, and Howard was but human.
Did Howard's course in this matter show him
to be vindictive and overbearng?
eff it We're SO, 1t was grievous fault
And grievousiy hath he answered it,
1 have, SO far, said nothing about
McFetIidge. who fired the FIRST
shot at Howard, the one that caused the
amputation of his hand. He seemed to be
but tender to the man-of-war that opened
her guns on reueating foe, and the cisiioer
l.. Il -
of his physique. 1t is said that, heretofore,
he has borne good reputation for peace and
fair dealing, and many OF Howsrd's friends
express regret that the young man should
have taken partin quarrel IN which he had
no concern, save as an employee of one of the
belligerepts.
There is another feature in the bloody
drama have attempted to describe that de-
serves consideration.
Major Simpson commenced publishing the
Star in the fall of 1876, since which time b.
has been involved in no less than five per-
sonal alterations growing out OF matter
published II his paper. He has been as
saulted twice by Howard, once by John W.
Link, once by James Benhsm, and once by
Tom Wright It seems apparent to anyone
that be hiss overstepped all journalistic Ii
cense and made his paper vehicle of per.
sonal abuse else these things would not Lave
been. Madison is proverblally peaceable
"
Its history no newspaper man,
save Simpson, has ever bean assaulted for
matter published in his paper. Although
we have the Grubbs libel law the public has
no proper protection against the venomous
pen of an irresponsible newspaper writer.
The bludgeon and the pistol are to be depre-
Gated, aud they should never be employed
except in defense of property Or life, saith
the law, but Shakespeare has declared
"Who steals my purse steals trash,
But he that nc, fllches from me my good name
And makes me poor indeed"
II ones good name be better than gold, it
should be allowed at least the same protec-
ton. Major Simpson, the slayer of Howard,
is well known in Indianapolis. He was for
two several terms on the local force of the
Sentinel, and for sometime he solicited ad
veriisements for the People. He is, be
lieve, a Texan by birth, but spent his boy
hood in Kentucky and most of his manhood
in Indiana. He was a major in the Union
army during the war, and for quite while
was confined in the Libby prison at Rich
mond. He was elected to the State
Legislature IN 1872 as Democrat
from the counties of Jefferson, Scott aud
Jennings, and for several years was city
clerk Of Madison. In 1876 he left the Dam.
ocratic party and became Republican, since
which time he hiss conducted the Star, oil
this city. He is forcible and pungeni
writer, but not an elegant one, and, barring
its personalities, bis paper is exceedingly
readable. What its future will be L can not
divine. but l hope, if he gets out of his
present dilemma and continues its
publication. he will quit personal
Journalism and essay a higher plane in the
profession than he has heretofore occupied
John L. McFetridge, who is involved with
in this city. He is about 25 years old, AND
has been on the S.ar, believe, since il
started. His father lives here, and is vel
liked by this people.
Simpson and McFstridge ara in the Madi
son Jail. having been remanded Their.
yesterday by Judge Allison, befor,
whom they were brought yesterday morn
ing. The examination will be resumed
| tomorrow, out will hardly be concluded
before Tuesday. The result will be anxious
iy awaited by this people. who are much
excited over the sad events of the last few
| DAYS.
| Howard was a leading Democrat, and mos
Of his friends were of that party; but he wa
respected and beioved By many leading Rs
| publicans. One OF the latter said to me tint
morning: No man in this city had so man,
and so warm friends as Howard" Thi
is true beyond question. The qualities o
| his head and heart were such to draw
! friends to him and to make enemies, too
| He was a positive man; he took his position
! and main tanned it; he chose his friends al,
stood by them. His friendship was tru
| and enduring. and the man who was POS
sessed of 1t had something on which b
could lean in adversely we'll as in prosper
ity. He was born leader of men He left n
one here who can fill his place
and his death will be most ssverel
felt by the Democracy of this county. II
| was as brave man as ever lived. | doubt
he ever knew. from experience, the mesnii
of the word fear. Wnen he was shot an
taken home to die he made no complain
When suffering the most excru'iating pal
no murmur escaped from his lips H
heaved no sighs. uttered no plants, BIT
bore his pain and anguish with the pstiens
of q martyr and the courage of the BRAY
man he was Thus died William Howar
one of the bravest and one of the truest me
that ever lived.
Presidents Who Were Senators.
Phi adeIphia Tlmesl
Some ne wspapers, IN discussing the pro
poets of Thurman. Biyard aud B aine
| presidential candidates, b We stated that Il
4 ho hxfo 80 III tn1 al