The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-01-23
Mr.. Douthi,,,s Defense.

Mr.. D0uthftt,s Defense.
MIR. EDITOR:-After waiting until the Re-
porters could get the great sensation story COM
pleted and, seeing that they had reached the
hnis, ask brief space at your hands. that the
whole cloth OF which this imaginary fabrics
was constructed may be made known to your
readers and the public generally.
1t is useless for me to state that Mrs. Douthitt
is a woman Of rare virtue. and possessed of all
the characteristics becoming lady; that we
were possessed of II little girl and boy of which,
to me at least, the world has scarcely seen their
like; that we We're surrounded by sufficient to
make home happy and pleasant, lacking only
those characteristics without which Heaven
would become hell. viz: order and peace But
it is not my purpose to bring before the public
the turmoils of our short married life. Suffice
it to say that had taken all active part in what
ever may have been amiss, and I am willing
that discriminating public should shoulder it
all upon me if thereby 1 can shield my little
children.
The tranquility of our home had become so
much broken, ,jthat was fully convinced more
than eighteen months ago that nothing but
separation would suffice, and with that view
had used my utmost cndcavor to bring about an
amicable settlement. but all to avail. Some
three months hence n separation took place,
anu, bue loI thC uISCut dppcdlS u u mOtuer anu
friends, all would have been well. Thinking
that nothing but descrtion would bring about
this end, it was my effort in this direction that
brought this unfounded scandal to the surface.
The great bohe OF contention had always been
who should have the custoday of our little girl.
but for that mutual separation would have
taken place ere this.
In as few words as possible " i'll answer each
branch OF the newspaper publications. waiting
this long that the scandal .mongers might re.
sumo their torpid state. attach no blame to
the publishers and gatherers of news, as that is
their stock in trade-and knowing full well they
love truth much better then fiction.
To illustrate how matters are apt to get exag-
gcrated even from first hands, 1 can but refer
You to the number of children with which am
charged to be the protecting branch. In reality
there arc but two, but report has it three, only
an increase Of fifty per cent. and that on fact
that is well known to hundreds in this city.
The report would have it that left in the
night in a clandestine manner. when the fact is
that at the time l am charged with leaving i
was at the Opera House with Mr.. Deputy Clerk
Becbout, and stayed with Mine Host'' Bar
nett, at the st. Cloud that night and left at 30
the following morning, coming down Tuscara-
was street with carpet-bag and gun in hand
after eight O'Clock and leaving shortly after in
open day with no effort at concealment. l did
intend leaving on the 1910 train the evening
before. but said tram did not leave until
after the following morning. All of which
gentlemen Beebout, Barnett and Miller are
cognizant of, as all three heard me speak in
regard to it. and Miller had an order to drive to
my house before the train came. for my bag
gage. On the road to Akron we stopped at
Berlin. where am well known; Also at Union
town, arriving at Akron at about 3 p. NJ, where
1 registered at the Empire. remarkipg to the
proprietor that l should remain with him a
week.
During my stay at Akron. L was in its most
public places. making many acquaintance,
calling upon business men, Attorneys, and the
Mayor; making no effort ut concealment, and
during the first three days seeing Canton parties
daily; and had proper inquiry been made,
could have readily been accounted for.
The lady with which am charged to have
eloped, or with whom would have eloped, had
not other parties interfered, did hot know was
in the city until the following Saturday evening
when called ut her house at the earnest solicit
tation Of her husband. The Akron report has
it that would have left on the train that day
but Tor the timely interception; and to show the
folly of such a belieT, have only to state that
that morning at 10 O'Clock, my wash was at the
laundry, my carpet sack at a private house. my
dollars deposit at the Empire House. my
trunks ut the express Office, and my boxes OF
goods at the freight depot, where they had just
arrived, and about which they had received no
order since arrival.
The bringing of tins lady's name before the
public was the "most uAkindest cut of all.'
There was 10 sense, no reason, no justification
for such act; and leave the evil cOnse-
quences to fall upon their haads. whoever they
may be- The elopemcnt business was wholly
| without foundation. which those who have fully
investigated will freely confess.
| l am also charged with sacking my house and
Office. and carrying away everything OF value
l did indeed take my gold pen and about twenty
text books from the Office. but left sixty eight
volumes of N. Y. Reports. Brightly's Digest
Il large book case. Office chairs. and so forth
! The property taken from the house WAS not
| one-ei yhih in value of what was left-at least
| thev foun,l four large two horse loads of rem
ndats after my departure.
| 1 am also charged with appropriating Mrs
| Douthitt's gold waSch and chain, which she had
earned teaching; but, suffice it to say. that haG
| possession of the watch by Mrs. Douthitt'S eX-
press direction. she having mislaid it wher
leaving; and also, that it was birth day pres
ent from your humble servant.
am willing to be thought mean. but am sur
! pfiseu that Shouiu oe chafSeu With ah! tuihe
! so low and contemplate; but the ways of scan
dal are past finding out.
| The criminal charge 1 need hardly notice
| Sufficient shall it be that was discharged: thai
| Sheriff Rauch is satisfied.
| Kind Editor / did not intend to encroach Sc
much upon your space. and yet have made bu
brief mention of the facts. cannot sit idly by
and see a business reputation for fairness ant
honesty swept away by one fell stroke. and bt
bligh:ed in my early business career by fals'
statements and reports. brought about simply
| by my unhappy domestic relations, without a
least one feeble effort in defense. have now
made that effort, and draw myself again within
| the shell of silence, from which no scandal cal
withdraw me.
| Yours, in the cause Of truth and justice.
A. NJ. DOUTHITT.