Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-10-12
What John W. Daniels Neigh
bOrs Have To : ay About Him
from the Lynchburg News.


RICHMOND, VA, Sept. q. 'Sl,
lillian Ridglcay Esq, LyachJwg, w.:
Dear Slr-From Treasurer Reynolds.
and others have learned something Of
Major Daniels connection with viii,
dcysing an estate, in which you had,
or should have had, some interest.
would ike greatly, in view of the
shameful course he is no~ pursuing
towards the Readjuster end dates, to
obtain an authoritative statement Of the
facts that | could use 10 exhibit him in
bis true character to the public.
Hoping that you will let me hear
from you at the earliest convenience, [
am very truly yours,
". c. ELAN, Editor Whig.
LYNcHBURG, VA, Sept. %, 'Sl.
TO ". c. Elan, Esq, Elitor Richmond
Whig:
sir,-Yolr letter, dated Wig Office,
September q, 1881. mqa.riag about
Major Daniels connection with a will
Chat Of the late banker Seth WoodrooO
IN which l an interested, Las bCel dlly
received.
beg leave to say, in reply, that
though Major Daniel is tie opposing
counsel in that matter, and that lis
pecuniary interest ls in cODacl @ith
nine, get, know lug a. l do The whole
case and his relations to It must sly
most positively, and O! ny own per-
sonal knowledge, that Major DaAiePs
course has been characterized by tie
highest sense Of honor and propriety.
When uiy relative, tie late Seth
Woodroof, was on lis bed IL his last
illness, he sent for Major Dauiel to
write his will. Major Daniel resFOn-
dsd and wiote a part Of The will-tut
when NJ. Woolr directed him t.
put in concluding clause making him
Major Daniel) a residuary legatce,
Major Daniel, With that modesty and
sense ofdeclicats honor 50 character
islic Of the man. declined to do so, re-
fusiag to act further, aud Mr. Wood
roof had 10 call IL another lawyer TO
f4ish the writing Of the Will.
The history Of the contest in tic
courts is briefly as follows:
Mr.. Seth Woodroof died in 1915.
In 1875 William Pettyjohn's legatees
brought suit againstJ. W. Daniel. ex-
ecutor of Seth WoodrooFs to recover
from Woedroo; estate a chlld's inter-
est, in amount which interest the said
Seth Woodroof cot by the will ot VIII
liam Pettyjohn, but which the legatees
of Pettyjohn claimed was willsd to
to Woodroof in fee, only in toe egeut
of his leaving lawful issue al his death.
Mr.. WOCdrOof was uUyrt rHaiIIvu euu
Pettyiohn's legaters claimed that the
entire Interest received By him uEd'r
the will Of william Pettyjohn at tie
death Of Seth WoodroOf reverted to
Pettyjohn's heIrs, one OF which l am.
The case was dec.lel az last Us ia the
Circuit Court OF Lyuohburs andan al
pea! was taken, aud the case is now
pending on the appeal II the supreme
Court at Richmond.
This authoritative statement OF the
facts" in that case you have my iul
authority to use, by publication or other
wise. Ito exhibit Major Daniel in lis
true character to the public" l would
further say IN reply that know Major
Daniel. and know his relations to The
suit above referred to, and bis connec-
lion with the will OF Mr.. Woodroot, and
that there is absolutely nothing what
ever IN this case, either as counsel op-
posed TO me, as executor OF Woodrooi
or any other way, to cast the slightest
reflection or even the shadow OF su'-
picien upon him.
And in all frankness ard justice L
must say that if the Redmond Whig AID
the organization il. represents rely up
on this or such like reports to compass
the defeat Of an honest, upright, and
fearless man, your undertaking might
as well be abandoned now. Lynch
bnrg or its vicinity, the house OF John
Daniel, where be Is known, loved and
respected by all classes, races, aud con-
dltions, is not the place to inquire Tor
authoritative statements OF facts, the
publication" of which would be inJurl-
Gus to bis character.
You might probably find some po-
ljtical scribbler to make up something
against him; but in the writer you find
one who in an acquaintance OF thirty
years, extending back to his early boy
hood. has never found even enc man
who could rightfully say aught against
John w. Daniel.
Let me beg you to abandon your
effort to injure so good and true man
and unite your efforts with mine to
make HIM the next Governor Of Vir-
glnia. You are at perfect liberty TO
publish this, or toiuquire further ofmy
counsel in case, Mr.. Ed. 5. Brown o1
Lyncsburg.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM RIDGwAY.