The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-10-09
To the Psbuc

Since tho misfortune OF nv afi6ss
upon the false and slauderous charge of
''land forgery" has gone the rounds OF
the press and seeing that TO some ex-
tent the press is disposed 20 censare me
upjustlY by publishing and denouncing
me as ''land forger, an accomplice IN
land Frauds" etc. in short to convict
without q trial, l would ask that for
conscience sake to exercise humanity
and mercy enough To await the time
with patience until an investigation Of
my case can be had and learn the facts
before heaping censure in unmeasured
terms and pouring cut the curses and
COMBINATIONS of an exasperatcd public
upon the head of an innocent man. l
am aware of the feeling and prejudice
existing throughout the State with
reference to this great and deeply
rooted evil which has go much DIS
turbed aud harrassed the people
of Texas, and if in my power,
without materially affecting the
interest of honest men, with one
mighty blow, crush it ont, root and
branch. l dare say there Is not a man
in the State of Texas who Is more op-
posed to these land forgeries and
fraudulent land dealings, or crime of
snT kind, than l am, the truth of
which assertion my most intimate
friends, those best acquainted with my
business transactions, will attest. l
have always been in favor of the Leg
islaiures of Texas ensctIng stringent
laws for the protection Of the homes
and property of her subjects, but, on
the other hand, | am just as much OF
posed to a mans being oppressed and
slhndered because he is holder of or
dealer in real estate. There is an hon.
est and dishonest way TO conduct
business OF any kind. My land trans
actions are all Of record, mostly in
LlanO county, and open to investiga-
ton. My business letters from attor-
neys and real estate men, from cores
pondents all oyer Texas and different
States, are still in my office and free to
the inspection of any one who feels an
interest in the Investigation of my
past conduct.
was born il Travis county and
reared in Burnet, al Dining the cOuu-
~ of my present home. Have lived
In LlanotoWn for the last seven years,
during the whole of which time have
filled some official position and occu-
pied other places of responsibility and
trust. l have bought, sold and traded
considerable in real estate; have been
entrusted with great deal of business
for others, both at home and abroad,
and here challenge member of this
foul conspiracy to point to q man who
have ever swindled, or to whom l
have ever made any misrepresentation
or whose business has ever been en-
trusted to me in business way, that
did not receive prompt and satisfscto-
ry attention. / have served on several
grand jurles in Llino county, some
times foreman, but never have been in
dicted by one neither do expect to
be indicted by the gram jury
of Travis county; have paid, perhaps,
some few trif1ing fines for fighting. In
1869 l was solicited by the ConserYa-
tive party to accept the nomination for
Representative in the Legislature of
Tennessee, Lincoln county, where l
was attending school; was also solicit
ed by some of the most prominent
citizens of LlanO and Burnet counties
to become candidate for membership
In the Sixteenth Legislature of Texas.
| do not write this article with a
view to clearing myself judicially of
the charge against me, bur in vindica-
ton of my characterize former will
be done by due course of law. Iheard
it observed by several persons while In
Austin that they would rather be tried
for murder in TraYis county than for
land forgery, but l am not afraid for
my case to go before any twelve peers
of Travis county under the present
jury system. l don't even believe that
the grand jury of Travis county can
even Indict me when they come in pos
session of the facts and merits of my
case. This 1 consider bold attack upon
my liberty and character-a desperate
which is even dearer than life itself.
In conclusion, l will say to
those little, half-witted, pulled
up editors of three column
paper, with dozen OF so of ticky sub
scribers, who are disposed to howl and
noise around, condemn and Islander q
man without a knowledge of any of
the facts N his case, to continue to
bark and howl to their satisfaction.
You may turn your wolf loose" gen.
tlemen, and enter all the demons of
HI in the chsse, for you can't hurt
me; but if you can raise the courage to
come in person to my face and say it, 1
will compliment (O you with my open
hand across the mouth in every in
stance. Lay this up to smoke.
Il. F. RoUNTRKE,