Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-03-03
THE LETTER.
FAIRMoNT, W. Va.
February 26, 1884.

TCCPY1 FAIRMoNr, w. Va.
February 26, 1884.
EDITORS of the Evening Journal, Wheel
ing, W. Va:
GEYrLENEN-My attention was called
this morning TO an article in your paper OF
the 25.h inst. headed "Fairmont, w. Va"
signed Observer" Reference is made in
the article TO Congressman Gibson aud
Marshal Atkinson and to an attack made
on Atkinson " Mr.. Gibson; thai sc .bson
has a silent partner, and one who fur
nishes the ammunition; that silent part
ner is Republican and lives not thou
ssud miles from Marion County; that he,
the "sllent partner" recently took a trip
into the Third District" and, if reports
are true, several interviews were had
with illicit distillers and their friends" (;
that Gibson's piseOn.holes OF his desk are
full of these precious scraps, to be us+d IN
his political tight agairst the Marshal
A Retrospective View.
In reply to this, there can be no doubt
that the silent partner here referred to,
is myself. | took trip through the Sec
ton OF toe State last fall; but neither saw
nor talked with any 'illicit distiller" that
knew Of. | was informed by Republi-
cans there that tie notorious letter Mar
shal Atkinson wrote, charging so many
citizeIs With crime contained much false
hood. That he implicated men OF middle
age, whose character was, and always has
been, blameless That one man censured
had required Atkinson to acknowledge the
accusation false, or take q thrashing, and
thgt Marshal Atkinson acknowledged the
acCusation false, and saved himself from
| corporal punishment. he used discretion.
| have this TO say with reference to the
| charge, that information has been furnish
| ed Congressman Gibson By me l don't re-
| member that ever met Congressman Glib
4 son: il ever did, cannot recall him now.
| have not written to him since he has
been a member Of Congress, nor have
| received any letter or communication OF
| any kind from him since he has
| been IN Congress, nor have re-
/ ferred 10 him in any letter during this
| tine. did not know that Congress maa
| Git son had ever made any attack on Mar
i shsl Atkinson until l saw the article oi
| Observer" Since l was consolidated
out Of the collectorship l have been quietly
| trying to make q living in my old age.
Having devoted the yigor of my life TO the
public service Of my country, for which
/ the paw did not equal my necessary eX'
| penses, am now Obliged to work.
| am not a candidate for Office, and never
expect 70 ask for one, unless it is necessary
| for living. / have written some articles
! this winter, which have been published, on
| subjects that | considered of general inter
/ est 10 the people of the State, without dis
| tinction Of party. Why you have lent
| your columns for scurrilous abuse of me
am unable to understand. suppose it is,
| in some way, to champion Marshal Akin
son; but why should that be doneH When
Marshal Atkinson was a boy it was repre-.
sented to me that his father was an honest
| man, but in q destitute condition with q
/ family. | procured an office for him which
| supported him and his family. ! have no
doubt the money that paid the Msrshaps
| expenses when be was sent to ohio (undel
| a thick cloud to college came from the
office which procured for his father.
| More 20 Follow.
supposed. until last summer, thstI wa;
| on the most friendly terms with every Re
publican in the State. vas then assailed
from unexpected sources. Not one word
have l uttered or inspired through the
press complaining OF party action. Cannot
( Marshal Atkinson sustSin himself without
| trying to destroy my character? Cannot
be permitted to die in peace, in my old age
with the character | have earned during q
long hfe2 Or does the Evening Journal in
its last extremity, and, seeking to save
itself, think it must destroy my reputs.
iion? Gentlemen, you will please inform
Marshal Atkinson that | am no "silsut
partner" but that / will now give Con.
gresham Gibson facts enough Of his cat
kinG on's) gross abase of power to condemn
him in the estimation of honest men. |
shall also give them TO Others. have no
claims Oh you, to ask you to publish this
letter. You can do with it as you please,
think IL will BE- published.
Yours respectfully,
2. II. PIERPoNr.