Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-03-04
THE SUBSCRIPTION WAR
The Panhandle History-The
ca i Alleged Forgery.

We mentioned some time ago, and adj
yerted to the fact yesterday morning,
that there were some thirty odd cases
before Justice Caldwell, suits IN which
the publishers OF the History of the Pan
Handle were plaintiffs and various cl'r
Gems defendants. These defendants are
sued for the subscription price OIL the
history. The publishers sold some
5000 copies here and OF this number Of
buyers. about thirty eight refused TO
take the work when presented. FER
haps their individual biographies did
not suit them, for man is but
human, after all, perhaps-bnt De
the reason what it may, about
this number refused to pay for the
work when presented, and suit was
duly entered before Justice Caldwell.
One of the humorous issues oil these
suits came out as follows: A stranger IN
town heard OF it and made several In,
ouiries concerning it. Who published
the historyp Caldwell. Who heard the
cases. Caldwell. Who were the at.
torneys? Caldwell and Caldwell. And
vet there is no kinship. Strange, isn't
il? ~ ...
One of the defendants in these cases
was DIR. q. w. Kelly, OF Sixteenth
street. When his case came up, he as
tonished the court, attorneys, witnesses
and spectators by averring that the sig
nature in the subscription book was not
his; that he had never written 1t; that II
was forgery. And going before Justice
Miller he swore out warrant for j, ;.
Brookfield, one of Mr.. Caldwell's solicit
ors. charging him with the forgery. Mr..
Brookfieid was placed under arrest and
gave bond for his appearance yesterday
for a hearing. Before that time, how
ever, he waived examination and gave
security for his appearance at Court.
On leaving Squire CaldwelPs Court
Yesterday afternoon, after heated argu-
ment in one of the history cases, q
REGISTER reporter met DIR. Kelly ana
made inquiry concerning the alleged
forgery. The 1fsculapius was still boil
ing over with virtuous indignation, ana
told in a yoluble manner the story OF ms
wrongs. "You see," he began, 81
first met this Brooktield when he was
i'm a different business. He was selling
patent medicine" and Kelly described
the diseases this medicine was bound to
cure, according to BroOkield. HE
asked me for these cases and afterwards
left. The next time | saw him he Was
canvassing for the Panhandle History
and wanted me TO subscribe for 1t. l
told him | didn't want it. tie went on
talking about my biography and adver-
Using, etc, and said the writer would
call on me. The writer never called and
that vas the last knew OF it until the
book was presented"
"And YOU did not write your name IN
the subscription book"
Never did and didn't know it was
there"
Shortly after the above conversation
took place the reporter met MIR. Brook
field and asked him for his version.
Said he: IL went into Mr.. kelly's OIL
flee and gave him square canvass Tor
the book. didn't give him anything
on advertising, US told him he would
have to get terms from the writer. |
told him - was the price OF it, and he
put his name down."
"You saw him write it?"
81 saw him write IT, l VIII take my
solemn oath he wrote ii, on his own
desk and in his own office. Now
here is the signature" opening a sub
scription book and pointing to the sig
nature of SO. w. Kelly, NJ. d., IS 10th
street"
"Now, does that look like my writ
ing?" pointing out some addresses he
had written. The reporter admitted
that it did not. Mr.. Brooktield's chirog-
riphy is lar less Spencerian than that OF
the signature referred to. The reporter
knows nothing of Mr.. kelly's tirt, and
could make no comparisons,
Every one connected with the His
tory, whether in the capacity OF writer
or solicitor, speaks very highly OF Mr.,
Brookficld's character, and is satisfied
he will come through the fire without
even the smell of smoke on his gar
ments.