Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-10-08

REvENGING GARFIELD S DEATH-A STRANGE
STORY TOLD BY NEW YORK MERCHANT.

New YORK, Oct. IAN alleged plot
of mailman to revenge the death OF
President Garfield by the murder of
ex-senator Conk'ing has been disclosed
to the police. The plo,ter is person
residing in Utica, where he has done
business for fifteen years or more. The
informant is shipping merchant who
does business oil the East River. Ills
name is Jackson. He is respectable
business man sld stalwart republican,
though not in any sense a politician.
Mr.. Jackson, whose address is withheld
at his own request, received on We'd
nesday, September %, letter postmark-
ed Utica, and mailed on the goth. 1t
was written by man whom he had
known and worked for fifteen years ago,
aud whose acquaintance he had casual
" renewed last spring while On visit
10 the interior of the State.
JUsTIrYING ASSASSINATION.
The message conveyed by the letter
startled Mr.. Jackson very much IL
was calm argument, apparently, to
ins,ify the assassination OF ex-senator
Conkliny, who "was the direct cause OF
President Garfeld's death and Of the
elevation of Gen. Arthur" who, the
writer put it, Twas not half as big
man as Garfield" In three pages and
half of note paper be argued that
Conkliug had deserved death and ought
TO be shot; that patriotic citizens should
organize TO do il, and that the sentl-
ment of the country would uphold them
in doing it. The writer conveyed the
further information that he was coming
to New York on the occasion OF the
State convention, on next Wednesday,
and that Mr.. Conkling should not be
admitted, be the consequences what
they might. Upon reaching the END OF
this singular epistle Mr.. Jackson, borrl-
fled beyond measure, went to the police
headquarters in search Of President
French, whom he knew TO be warm
friend OF Mr.. Conkling, and in whose
hands he knew the matter wight he
safely trusted. He reflected that some
thing might occur to induce bis CORES
pendent to carry ont his diabolical plan
before Mr.. Conkling left Utica, and
that the letter, being traced to his pos
session in the event of an attempt al as
sassination, might prove q dangerous
witness against him.
THE NAME NOT REVEALED.
French was not in town and Mr. Ma
son was sought. The latter was not
there, but was telegraphed tor. Today
Mr.. Jackson called on Commission
err Mason and was admitted TO long
interview with him. lie gave the vi.
ca letter TO the commissioner and told
him what he knew about lis writer
| This was in substance that he was a
man about 40 years, college bred ana
of good family. Fifteen years age he
ran a large hotel in Utica and then Mr.
Jackson managed his business for hun.
| Lately he has been an agent tor some
Mercantile interests. Mr.. Jackson firm
! " believes him to be another Gulteau.
| lie was unable to account for his ad--
dressing him except on the score OF
their old acquaintance, which, meeting
by accident on railroad, they had re-
newed last spring. The Utica man had
been given 70 various political vagarles,
/ having, TO the best of Mr.. Jackson
recolls ctions, been a delegate to the So
c;alistic convention at Newark four
years ago.
MIR. MAsoN's OPINION.
Commissioner Mason pernscd the let
Ter in silence, and, observing that 1t had
been written by man OF education,
inquired if the sender was either insane
or given 20 drinking. Dir. Jackson
had never heard that he was either.
The commissioner suggested that he
should write d reply, to endeavor to
ferret out, if possible, the real plans OF
the Utica man; but this Mr.. Jackson
refused to do, his principal desire being
to get the whole matter of his hands.
At his request Commissioner Mason
promised to take entire charge OF the
affair, and to consult about it with Mr..
| Conkllng and President French, and,
| if necessary with President Arthur. lie
was of the opinion, hswever, that the
letter should he construed in less blood
thirsty spirit than that conceived by
Mr.. jackson. Mr.. Mason when qnes-
toned about the letter by reporter,
said that he was convinced, after study
ing ii carefully, that it should be con
strued into an Incorporate expression OF
opinion that Mr.. Conkling should be
Kissed out of the convention. lie felt
quite confident that no assassination
was meant or intended. lie shortly al
ter left the police headquarters with
the letter, the text of which, with the
name of the writer, was withheld from
the reporter with much care. 1t was
learned only that the tone of the letter
was calm aud argumentatlye, and that
Mr.. Jackson is addressed simply as
"Friend." Mr.. Mason expressed his
pleasure at the course pursued by Dir.
Jackson, whose motives he appreciated
as pure. What steps, if any, we've taken
tonight by Commissioner Mason TO fol
low up the matter was not known 1t
VAS surmised that he deslre1 :" c"''-
municate at once with President French
and Senator Conkling, and that meas
ures would then be taken TO watch the
writer of the letter upon bis arrival in
this city on Tuesday. 1t is not known