The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-04
LYxcnmrRo, Va, September %, 1881.

LYxcmuRG, VA, September 90, 1891.
To ". c. Elan, Esq, Editor Richmoud
Wing:
Sir.-Your letter, dated Wing ofllce, Sep
tember -, 1881, inquiring about Major
Daniels connection with will that OF the
late banker, Seth WoodrooD in which am
interested, has been duly received.
beg leave 10 sag, in reply, that though
Major Daniel il the opposing counsel IN
that matter, and that his pecuniary interest
is i'm conflict with mine, yet, knowing a.
do the whole ease and his relations to 1t, L
must say most positively, and OF my own
personal knowledge, that Major DaniePs
course has been characterized by the high
est sense OF honor and propriety.
When nv relative, the late Seth Wood
roof was on his bed in his last illness, he
sent for Major Daniel TO write his will. Ma
jor Daniel responded and wrote part OF
the will-but when Mr.. Woodroof directed
him 10 put i'm concluding clause making
him Major Daniel a residuary legatee, Ms
Tor Daniel, with that modesty ana sense OF
delicate honor 20 characteristic OF the man,
declined to do so. refusing to act further,
and Mr.. WOodrOOf had TO call in another
lawyer to finish the writing OF the VIII.
The history OF the contest i'm the courts IL
briefly ~ follows:
Mr.. Seth WoodrOof died in 1879.
In 1876 William PettyiOhn's legatee's
brought suit against J. W. Daniel, cNecu-
tor OF Seth WOodrOof's, TO recover from
Woodroof's estate child'S interest, in
amount which interest the said Seth Wood
roof got 10y the will OF William Pettyiohn,
but which the legatees Of Pettyiohn
claimed was willed to WoodrOOf in fee,
only in the event Of his leaving lawful issue
at his death. Mr.. WoodrOOf was never
married, and Pettyjohn's logatees claimed
that the entire interest received by him
under the will OF William PCttyiohn at the
death Of Seth Woodroof reverted to Petty
Johns heirs, one Of which ! am.
The case was decided against us in the
Circuit Court Of Lynchburg, and an appeal
was taken, and the case is now pending on
the appeal in the Supreme Court at Rich
mOnd.
"This authoritative statement OF the
facts" i'm that Gaze YOU have my full all-
thority to use, by publication or otherwise,
q" to exhibit Major Daniel in his true char
acter 10 the public" ! would further say
in reply that | know Major Daniel, and
know his relations TO the suit above refer
red to, and his connection with the will Of
Mr.. WoOdroOf, ard that there IS absolutely
nothing whatever in this case, either ~
counsel opposed to me, a executor OF
WoodroOf, or any other way, to east the
slightest reflection or even the shadow Of
suspicion upon him.
And in an frankncSs and justice | must
say that il the Richmond Wing and the or
ganizatiOn it represents rely upon this or
such like reports 10 compass the defeat OF
an honest, upright, and fearless man, your
undertaking might rs we'll be abandoned
now. Lynchburg or its vicinity, the home
OF John Daniel, where he is known, loved,
and respected by all classes, races, and con-
ditiOns. il not the place to inquire for eau
thOTitatYe statements OF facts, the publica-
ton /" OF which would be injurious to his
character
You might probably find some political
scribbler to make up something against
him; but In the writer you find one who
i'm an acquaintance Of thirty years, extend
Ing back TO his early boyhOOd, has never
found even one man who could rightfully
SAY aught against John W. Daniel.
Let me beg you to abandon your effort
TO injure so good and true a man, and
unite your efforts with mine to make him
the next Governor Of Virginia. You are
at perfect liberty to publish this, or to in
quire further OF my counsel in ease, Mr..
Ed. :. Brown, OF Lynchburg.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM RIDGYAY.