West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-03-28
THE LETTER.
FAIRMoNT, w. Va, |
February, 20, 1884. I
Fairmont, Feb. 30.

called this morning to an article In
your paper o! the 25th inst, headed
"Fairmout, w. Va" signed "Ob-
server" Reference is made Tin the
article to Congressman Gibson and
Marshal Atkinson and to an attack
made on Atkinson by Mr.. Gibson.
That "Gibson has a silent partner,
and one who furnishes the ammuni-
ton. y "rbat silent partner is a
Republican and lives not thousand
miles form Marion Co That be,
the Silent partner" recently took
a trip into the Thitd District" and
II reports are true, several inter
views were had with illicit distillers
and their friends" That Gibson 8
pigeon holes OF his desk are full Of
these precious scraps, to be used in
his political fight against the Mar
shall.
In reply to this, there can be no
doubt that the "silent partner here
referred to, is myself. I took trip
through that section of the State last
fall but neither Saw nor talked
with any "illclt distiller" that
know OF. l was informed by Re-
publicans there that the notorious
letter Marshall Atkinson wrote,
charging many citizens with crime
contained much faishood. That he
i'm plioated men OF middle age, whose
character wss,9 and always has been
blameless. That one man censured
hal required Atkinson TO scknowl-
edge his accusation false, or take
trrashing, and that Marshal Atkiu-
con acknowledged the accusation
false. and saved himself from corpor-
al punishment. He usel discre ton.
| have this TO say with reference o
the charge that information has been
furnished Congressman G bson by
nae, | DOM remember that | ever
met Congressman Gibson ; # l ever
did | cannot recall hun now. | have
not written to him since he has been
a member of Congress, nor have | re-
ceived any letter or communication
OF any Kind from him since he has
been in Congress, nor have I referred
to him IN anY letter during Ills time.
did not know that Congressman
Gibson had ever made any attack
! Oh Marshal a klnson until l saw
the article Of observer Since l
was consolidated out of the col
leciorship l have been quietly trying
to make living in my old age.
Having devoted the vigor Of my
lite to the public service Of my coun-
try, for which the pey did not equal
my necessary expenses, | am now
obliged to work.
am not candidate for Office and
never expect to ask tor Que, unless
1t 10 necessary 70. living. Have
written some articles th,s winter,
which have been Published, on sub.
jecls that l considered Of genera IN
ierest to the people Of the State,
without distinction Of party. Way
| you have lent your columns for sour
riIous abuse Of me am unable TO
understand. ! suppose it is N some
way 60 champion Marshal Atkinson
but Why should that be doue2 When
Marshall Atkin1on ws5 a boy,It was
represented to me that his father
wss an honest man, but IN desu-
tuts condition with family.
| procured 40 Office for him which
supported bim and his family. I
have 90 doubt the money that paid
the Mnshsfs expenses when be wa
sent 10 Ohio (under thick cloud
70 college came FROM the Office which
| ] procured for bic father
! supp,ssd unit. lasl summef that
/ was 90 the most friendly terms
with every Republican in The State.
. was then sssailed from uoezreot-
cd sources Not one word have
uttered or inspired through the press
complaining Of party action Cannot
Marshal Atkinson sustain himself
without trying % destroy my char
scter2 Csonot I be permitted to dis
DO peace in nay Oh age, with the
character / have earned dusmg a