Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-08-22

Business-Letcher's Opinion Of Ordway's
Second Break
Alexandra Herald.
Several versions of the trouble in Sam
born county have been going the rounds
OF the press but they have all been very
far from the mark. The Herald recently
came into possession of the inside facts
in the matter, and herewith gives the
true version:
When Letcher was laid out the town.
site owners we're approached by one
Wilkins, private secretary to Nehemiah,
the grabber, who told them he possessed
unequaled facilities for making county
seats and booming towns-for a certain
consideration, of course. The owners
had heard of such things and were viii
ling to be let into the mysteries. They
were gwen to understand. Wilkins i. e.
Ordway, must have an interest if
things were to be made solid. One
of the owners at once went to Yank.
ton and interviewed the governor.
He was informed that it would not do
for his excellency to be known in the
matter. but that any arrangements made
with Wilkins would be all right and he
would furnish the necessary authority to
make commissioners and county seats.
On this understanding the petitions
were got up and applications made for
the appointment of commissioners. The
town was decided by this time but Viii.
kins had no deed because he had failed
to put up his share of the expenses,
Meanwhile Forestburg was clamorinR
for her commissioners and "my dear
governor was on the fence ready to be
wooed by either dear charmer. Wilkins
demanded his deed as the price of the
Letcher commissioners. The owners re-
fused to comply until he came down.
He threatened them with the Forest
burg commissioners. Ordway was away.
Crennan, private secretary to secre-
tary Teller. was one of the owners OF
Letcher. In the secretary's Office were
some commissioners blanks With the sig.
natures OF both Ordway and Teller. Ii
Ordwayt demands, now grown exhorbi-
tant and bold. were complied With there
would be nothing left for the owner. In
their extremity they applied TO Shepard
one OF the proposed Forrestburg COM
missioners. He was argued with but to
no avail, he belonged to the Forrestburg
crowd and would not 60 back on them
1 &As sAAAS }SAA4000AO Ou0ku00U S8lleu NIX, lei.
Ter to st. Paul There was q hurried
consultation ct Yankton. The commits
sions were all signed and sealed and
only needed filing. Several prom.
inent lawyers were consulted, and all
united in the opinion that Crennau
could act in the absence of Gov.
ernor Ordway and secretary and that as
he was the government to all intents and
purposes. his commissions would stand
The Letcher commissioners were ap.
pointed and one of the owners drove
acroes the country post haste. The pa
pers were delivered. The Commissioners,
met, organized and voted Letcher the
county seat. Forrestburg was agast and
after some days when Ordway could bt
found he was mad. yea, awful mad. He
had been outwitted by couple of boys
But true to his instinct he wanted K
make terms and get his whack. HI
threatened and raved and bulldozed
They temporised aud reasoned. Mean
time the county officers had been selected
and qualified, books, blanks, safes, etc.
bought and brought to Letcher. Afte
fooling his excellency around for tel
mortal days and accomplishing all they
wanted and being assured the acts of th,
commissioners were valid and woult
stand. the boys told Ordwa,
to go 70 the duce. He wen
to Forestburg and appointed secont
lot of commissioners. But it is no use
The first lot will stand. His ten day
wait, to make terms, cooked his mutton
Il, Letcher Blade.
IL The double dealing of Governor Ord