Morris tribune., 1882-10-05


of the people; little more OF this imposi-
ton upon the part of Mr.. Nelson and his |
friends, and he will show himself to be
first class shyster, more fit for a plantation
hand than for a seat in congress.
AT time like the present, when the
papers of the country are lauding the
merits of their candidates for public Office,
it might be pardonable for us to say u
word in behalf of our owa home candi-
date for state representative in this the
Forty-second representative district. Mr..
FL. Fl. Wells came here when the town
was in its infancy, bringing, as the most
of his capital, character of the strictest
integrity, a thorough business training,
and energy, which has raised him to the
highest notch of success. He is now Pre-.
sident of the Stevens County Bank, as we'll
as partner in the largest mercantile house
in Morris.
When citizens look for a man to repre-
sent their interests in legislative halls they
don't usually seek for such among the old,
worn out political hacks, who are always
so very willing to serve their country,
though often such are forced upon the
people by corrupt rings, who must rule or
ruin. But the independent voters have
faith in the man of uublemish ID character,
who, in the midst of sharp competition
makes life success, and still deties the
slanderous world lay aught to his charge.
Such aman is Mr.. Wells. While he has
always been straight Republican in prin-
ciple, he has taken little part in politics.
never accepting an office except two terms
in thevillage council, which he accepted
at the earnest request of his fellow citizens,
and for which service he refused to accept
the pay the law allowed him. While Mr..
Wells has been successful in business, he
has been generous to fault The farmers
of this county will not soon forget his
efforts to relieve them during the dark
days of grasshoppers. They, Cor those
most intimate with him. know that in
those dreary years he used every dollar he
could command, and every particle of
credit he could command, to carry them
over from year to year. But now, thanks to
kind Providence, those times are past
The time has come when farmers can pay
their debts; and they will remember this
debt of gratitude to Mr.. Wells. This they
will do without regard to political party or
the howlings Of the ring.
Not long ago correspondent from Alex
andria to the Minneapolis Evening Jour-
nal, stated that Knute Nelson's first ex-
plot, when he came to this state from
Wisconsin in 1871, was to jump poor
mans claim near Alexandria, and thus rob
him of his home, viii ch he had been
obliged 10 leave temporarily in order to
earn some money by working for others.
Mr.. Nelson fearing this damaging expos
ure at this time, when he particularly de-
sires to appear In the role Of "the settlers
friend" at once gave orders to his local
organ, the Alexandria Post, to deny the
story, which it of course did, using among
lot of other verbiage the following LAM
guage:
"Knute Nelson gave him 500 to quit
claim the land to the United States, and
then he, Nelson, filed upon it, occupied il,
and has lived upon it ever since and it is
now his home. It is easier for Kindred
spirits to lie than to consult the records"
Of course the article was copied, and
since then the Nelson papers have been
yelling themselves black in the face, try
ing to cover up this one of the many weak
points in Nelson's record. But it seems to be
uncoverable, for instead of accepting these
contradictions as being conclusive, the
Evening Journal did consult the records"
by addressing the following note to the
register of the Fergus Falls land Office,
which Office formerly was located at Alex
andria.
| OFFICE OF EVENING JOURNAL,
| Minneapolis, Sept. 10, 1882.
Register q. s. Land Office, Fergus Falls,
Minnesota:
Dear Sir:-Will you please inform US if
the records of your Office show that one
Leonard w. Kilbourn ever filed quit
claim to the U. s. for tract of land in
| section 10 or 90, township 1913, range 81
near Alexandria, in consequence of which
| his homestead was cancelled and re-
entered by Mr.. Knute Nelson.
Yours truly,
EVENING JOURNAL.
To this note the following reply was re-
ceived:
US. LAND OFFICE, FERGUS FALLS, ! !.
| Mimi, Sept. 10, 1852.
Editor Evening Journal, Minneapolis
Sir:-Inareply to your favor of the 10th
inst, have to state that there is no such
thing as a "quit claim to the U. 8" known
| in connection with this office. / presume
you mean a voluntary REIMBURSEMENT to
the U. s., and ! have to inform you that
the records Of this Office do not show that
| Mr.. L. w. Kilbourn ever executed or filed
any REIMBURSEMENT of the tract described
by you.
On the contrary Mr.. Kilbourn's home
stead, No Ga, for the southeast quarter Of
the southeast quarter of section 10, and the
west half of southwest quarter of section
90, township 125, range 81, was cancelled
in accordance with instructions contained
| in letter from the commissioner of the
| general land Office at Washington. dated