Daily Republican., 1879-06-14
....l.D EDITION
x,t,errrom Geo. M. Dutcher.
DUrcHER HOME, June u, 70.

The plbllc by thls Time are no doupt
convinced that the last gun has been
brought to bear upon me in the shape
of afiidavits by my enemies ard they
can do no more unless it be to get me
indicted for theft, robbery or murder
Suppose We stop for one moment and
trace these affidavits to their source.
We shall find that person by the name
of Crawford Spear, living in the city of
Philadelphia, is the man who is the
head and front of said attidavits and for
over eleven weeks has never for one day
ceased his persecution.
Now let us s-e what his object is and
the life that he has led. Fer two years
he had been keeping Mrs. Watson pre-
vious to her reformation, and while she
was under the influence of strong
drink she had been slave to him and
day by day he was dragging her towards
eternal ruin As soon as she renounced
a life of in.emperance, and told him that
LIE could never occupy the same room
with her because she intends to lead a
better life, he began to persecute
her as well as me with the hope OF
driving hsr from the platform ana GEL
her again into his possession for an un-
holy purpose.
This man under the cloak of being a
christian and member of Chrst's
church, has been the one who has paid
out his money like water and used
every effort i'll his powe" to ruin me if
he could ana be avenged on Mrs. Wat
son because she preferred to live good,
pure life in poverty rather than life
Of sin with Crawford Spear and have
money at her command.
If II would not be taking up too much
of the readers time we will look tor a
moment at the witnesses who testify in
the afidavits that have been clandes-
timely circulated about this city. The
colored woman, Nora johnson, is una
bic to write her own name and the
words were placed in her mouth by
this man Spear and | have too high an
opinion of the citizens of Wilmington
to suppose for one moment that they
would give credence to her ridiculous
statement. The daughter of Mrs. Wat
son is weak child. Has had St. Wit
us Dance, and every word uttered in
the affidavit was given her to say by
this same man Spear.
As lar as Mrs. Bell is concerned |
know nothing of her whatever only by
hearsay and never believe stories about
any one without evidence. She may be
al Angel as far as know. She knows
nothing of me and her statement as the
.ader will see has no hearing upon my
case whatever.
May suggest one thought. Did it
ever occur to the public mind that the
Editor of "Every Evening was receiv-
ing pay froll Crawford Spear for writ
ing his libelous editorials against me.
Without doubt the people begin to
examine in regard to this affair as to
the motive for all this persecution and
the object in view. Would not an in,
telligent community say at once R.
venge, Hatred and Malice backed by
money.
These thoughts | present or the
Judgment and consideration of the
public and am willing to abide by their
verdict.
Has the day come when my hard
earned reputation Of fourteen years
standing is to be destroyed by this vile
man who has used this poor illiterate
c0l0red girl to serve his ends. And
Furthermore he has taken poor weak
child whOes memory and mind have
been impaired by severe sickness, drag
ed her out by getting her fully into his
power and used her to testify against
her own mother. What has he not
done 10 accomplish his unhallowed pur-
pose.
Just one word or two more in refer
renee to the Editor of the "Every Even
ing" He declares in one Of his edi-
torials that he has conclusive evidence
through atiidavits in his possession
that ! am guilty but tue atfdavits are
CT sucn Il vile character he will not
print them III his paper. His whole
sale GtnunclatlOna Of me on such eX-
parte evidence Is without parallel in
the history OF journalism. NoLwittl-
standn- he would not give them to his
readers through the columns of his pa
per yet they are published from his
printing oilic+ in slip form an,l clandes-
tinc y circulated about this city.
Just for 4 moment let Us stop ami
think. Is the Editor Of livery Even
ing" so pure and good that he cannot
rest day or night, without krepin-,
watch over The citiz-u, Of Wilmington.
Ever on the alert to warn them of dau-
ger and look well after their moral con
dition. Many OF you know lim much
better than do aud shall abide hv
your decision. would say however II
it wai not asking too ul!ct | would re-
quest aud demand that he publish the
atfidavlto III his paper so that the i'll
telligent public may give them due con-
sileratiDn and estimate their Value
If be will not do me this justice hope
the liberal Editor of the REPUBLICAN,
will.
have been financially crippled for
the present by this overwhelming con-
test otherwise | would commence suit
for libel and defamation of character and
ifretraction is not made by the Editor
of livery Evening" at no distant day
may seek for justice in open court.
When Spear commenced his per-
secution had proved coward | might
have gone scot free. But choose to do
otherwise and battle for principle that
will live when this generation shall
have passed away.
l feel that in my sufferings and per-
secution there is reward. 1t may not
be in gold or silver nor the applause of
the world. But the soul, the great
barometer, tell, me that am right in
my efforts to help fallen women as well
as men to lead better lives and prepare
for eternity.