St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-03
GILFILLAN'S GUILT.
An Explanation Which Confesses
Rather Than Explains.
The Husband Tells Him That the Wife
BroOded Over the Sale OF the
Homestead.

On Saturday morning the GLOBE published
a statement which was q scathing expose Of
J. B. Gillian. It was, in brief. that while
acting as a friend Of Benjamin o. Cutter,
who was compelled 20 Temporarily leave
Minneapolis for his health, be (Gilfnan)
bought judgments against Cutter which were
nearly outlawed, and then robbed him Of
his home. As the result Of the K SIS Of their
home Mrs. Gutter went insane, and escap-
ing from the asylum at st. Peter drowned
herself in the river.
The citations from the Hennepin county
records made clear case aud the pubiica-
cation attracted good deal Of attention.
The GLOBE rendered Mr.. Gilfllan the use OF
SIS columns 10 explain or to have his old
neighbors explain but no call has been made
on our space for that purpose.
Public men sometimes decline 10 make
any reply 10 any charge made against them,
essaying 10 treat the accusation with con-
tempt. Mr. Gillian did not dare 10 treat
these charges with the contempt Of silence,
but the manner Of bis response is peculiar
If a man decides to reply TO accusa-
tons against him. the most natural medium
Is through the same channel where the
charges originated. He cannot plead con-
tempt for the GLOBE and It's publication, be-
cause he has prepared reply and published
itin the Minneapolis JosInal, the Minneapolis
Tribune and the Minneapolis Pioneer Pres.
AS be did not send his reply TO the
GLOBE, it is evident that he does not dare to
place the denial before the same audience
with the charges. BY giving his denial in
papers where the charges have not appeared,
the papers assume it is complete crusher
and accept the denial without knowing what
IT denies.
But though Mr.. Gildllan asked three other
papers to print his defense and did not ask
the GLOBE, the GLOBE. takes pleasure In volun-
teering topublish it, II is as follows:
Mr.. Cutter, in 1869, wished to sell me HIS
former homestead, consisting OF three lots, snd
after negotiation we agreed Oh the price. IL
was then encountered by mortgage and ten or
dozen judgments. amounting TO about $4,000
principal and nearly as much more accrued in
terest, the judgments having been recovered all
the way from 1889 TO 1864 OF 1855.
Under these circumstances Il was difficult
for Cutter 10 make title 20 the property,
and We devised and be approved
the plan Of buying enough OF the earlier judg
meuts which were then nearly outlawed 10 cover
the value Of tho property, and which we sup
posed could be bought az a very great discount,
Ind assigned TO Mr. Cutters interest and upon
which execution sales could be made. and 20
perfect title and shiele thd property from the
long list Of subsequent judgments This plan
was fully approved by Mr.. Cutter. and was con-
sidered by me 10 be the only practicable
method OF saving anything 10 him ont OF
the wreck, as he bad then determined 10 abandon
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established in business in Nevada. was TO pay
him 81, 800 in money and do all the work and
business free Of any cost 20 him. which did
charging him out Of the purchase money only
the sums which was obliged 20 pay for the
judgments which bought, and l bought them
for the lowest possible sums. They were
assigned 10 John Martin for convenience,
and 90 prevent merge in Their superior title which
/ took 10 myself. lie put no money into IL and
had no interest in II. We made the execution
sales on the judgments amounting in all as shown
by the sheriT's deed 10 So, yS6. 81 The warranty
deed 10 me expresses the true amount Of consid-
Grafton money paid by me to-wIt, g. 500. These
proceedings were a matter OF public record al
the time, except quit claim deed from
Martin which was not placed on record until
after had arranged with subsequent judgment
creditors. A full and detailed account was rem
dered TO Mr.. Cntter, aud final settlement made
with him which was entirely satisfactory 10 him.
/ met him here some years after the transaction
Of this business, and he made no complaint
whatever in regard 10 IL, but seemed satisfied
with everything. Mrs. Cutter was stbject TO
spells Of insanity before and after this ltransac-
ton, and this is well known among her family
friends. Mr.. Cutter. in our last Interview
said, think, that his rife he'd brOOdsf OUsr the
sale Of the homestead somewhat, as was natural
but il was the only way out OF the difficulties
which surrounded them. Ny part in the trans
action was bel ful 20 him. as / advanced the
seh eavpf him hons nj
which otherwise would have been entirely lost 20
him a. there was no sale for real estate at that
time / served him faithfully and TO the best OF
my ability ] have since spent over $4,000 on
the property"
Does not this strike the reader as an ex-
traordinary expense to ''save a homesteadn
when the law permitted Mr.. Cutter to hold
his homestead, no matter what its value,
against all claims and judgmentsi Mr. Gil
illau explains that he bought the judgments
''noariy Olrldlroi'' to accommodate his
friend. What nice scheme. In few
months the judgements would be outlawed
and Cutter have his property free but HE
good friend kindly bought up the claim so as
to keep them alive. That was because he
was friend
Mr.. Gilfillan does not say that he notified
/ Cutter that he could retain his homestead by
| filing a certain notice with the register Of
deeds. That wasn't his way. He was a
friend CD of Cutters.
But be does think that Mr.. Cutter told him
that 'his wife broodod oser 1e sale Of he home
stead" Aud the result was she was driven
/ to insanity and suicide.
Why does not Mr.. Gnfllau call on ex-Gov.
| Pilisbury or Geo. d. Perkins TO vindicats
himl They are reputable gentlemen who
know the facts.