The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-02-14

tive N encouraging eOn8resslondi ihscSti-
CATION. Parties accused Of completely in
the star route frauds retaliated by chaEg
ing Soteldo with the purpose to levy black
mail upon them, and the fight became bit
ter on both sides. Soteldo's friends now
declare that the article exposing his visit
to and fight in a house of i'll repute, and
subsequent article charging him with an at
tempt to bride an emp1oye of the National
Republican. were the work of alleged star
route conspirators, and were published to
punish his crusade against the ring. They
point to the well known fact that until
few days ago Gen. Brady was the chief
owner of the Republicans, and to the fact
that it has been persistent defender of
the star route men and has been recogniz-
ed as the organ of these men.
Barton, to justify himself, has charged
that he was obeying orders in publishing
the articles which cost Soteldo his life,
perhaps; that he,was not, as has been al
legged, venting any personal spleen, but
that he was carrying out the instructions
gard.
This new phase of the matter together
with the publication of the fact that mark
ed copies of the papers containing the
articles against Soteldo were sent to his
wife, has considerably changed the tone of
public sentiment to Soteldo's favor. AT
first he was generally condemned, but his
friends have made it appear he was ruth
lessiy pursued and goaded, eventually at
lacking him in the affections and esteem
of his wife. He resorted to every means
to keep the knowledge of his misconduct
from her, and said he was comparatively
Indifferent with regard to all others, but
wanted to spare his wife the knowledge of
his disgraceful conduct. She was inform
ed of it, however through the marked
copies of the Republican sent her by mail.
and she now admits she severe
~ upbraided her husband, and
regrets it. 1t was this act, thus in
forming his wife, his friends say, that
goaded him to desperation. 1t is main
tanned in his behalf that he did not go to
the Republican Office with any intention of
shooting Barton or anybody else.
The paper presented Barton was the
written confession that Barton had, while
in the employ Of the District of Columbus
government several years ago, obtained
money through forgery. Soteldo claimed
he had proof of this, and his purpose, so
it is stated, was to compel Barton to &C.
knowledge his guilt by aff1xing his sigma
ture to the paper. Then, Sc it is said,
soteldo intended to present the paper to
the proprietors of the Republican, and de
mand in the name of consistency, as they
had been scoring him for his misdeeds, that
they discharge Barton. Of course. Barton
refused to sign the paper, whereupon So
teldo struck HIM and they grappled over
Barton's desk
Wednesday night Barton read the proof
of an article against Soteldo, which APP
peared in Thursday mornings Republican
to q friend who is connected with lead
ing daily in Cincinnati This friend advis-
ed Barton not to publish the article, saying
it could not do any good and might result
in harm. Barton replied he must insert it,
or that he could not prevent it, or some
thing to that effect. Whereupon his friend
Sateldo would certainly resent it |
and probably do SO with violence. Barton
drew open the drawer of his desk, expos |
ing revolver and saying he was prepared
for the consequences.
It appears Soteldo regarded Barton as
solely responsible for the Objectionable |
and considered it the fruit of |
an old .feud between himself and Barton |
which originated when they served togeth-
sr on the Republican some years ago, tut |
Barton's emphatic disclaimer of all respon-
sibility, says Sateldo's friends. sheds new
light on the matter, and they now attri
butte the newspaper exposure of his mis-
conduct to the star route ring.