The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-08-03
GRAVE ACCUSATIONS.
A Well known and Respected Citizen
Outrageously Charged With
FieRdish Crime-F. NJ. Sin.
nett in Trouble.

TO the ears of an ARGUS reporter an ugly
rumor concerning one of Rock Islands
best known and most trusted and efficient
citizens. The rumor was of such revolt-
ing nature, and involved person OF such
high standing, one whom the ARGUS
thinks would be one of the last men in
the world to be guilty o. such crime,
that the reporter disbeleved what
he heard, aud dismissed il from his
mind. On Thursday the shameful report
had found its way all over the city
The ARGUS heard the report in all sorts
Of exaggerated forms, and reporter i'm
mediately iutf rviewed the accused. who
is none other than F NJ. Sinnett, alder
man in the Seventh ward, and member
of the board of education, of which latter
body he was president last year. Mr. Sin
nett sternly denied all the charges,
showed intense emotion and feeling at
the attacks made upon his character, and
SAID he was prepared to meet all the
charges fairly and squarely, that he was
innocent and further that there was not
the least foundation for the rumors. \
rigid investigation was made of the case,
and having arrived at the conclusion that
there was no truth in the scsndalous
stories, no attention was paid it at the
time. Last Saturday night, however, the
matter assumed such serious proportions,
that the ARGUS is bound now, as duty
to its readers in fulfilling its mission to
them. TO describe the case which is already
well known to many of our citizens.
The alleged scandal originated with
Mrs. Meigs Kibbey, who, at the time the
affair is said to have occurred, lived next
door to Mr.. Sinnett The lots were adj
joining, there being not even division
fence between. The property is all owned
By Mr.. Sinnett, and Mira kibbeys hus,
band being freight train conductor on
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road,
is away from home good part of the
time. A friendly feeling sprang up be-
tween the two families, and the children
of each were free to make themselves at
home at the house of the other. But to
the scandal, \ week ago last Saturday
afternoon Mrs. SInaett gave party of
young folks for the pleasure Of her
youngest child In the afternoon Mrs
Sinnett went down town, aid Mr. S'n1ctt
was away himself until about 4 o'clock.
Mrs, Kjbbey claims that about that hour
she sent her little girl-Delia,
about eight years of age-to
Nj. Siunett's house to borrow sprink-
Ter. The girl did not return as soon as
she should and she sent her sister after
her. The latter returned and Informed
her mother that her little sister was not
to he found in Mr.. Sinnett's house. Mrs.
Kibbey says she then went herself, ar!
claims she found Mr.. Sinnett and her lit
tie girl standing on the porch together;
the girl was trembling and she took her
home and asked her what was the matter.
The little one said Mr.. Sinnett had taken
her up stairs and laid her on the bed.
and felt her clothes. This was the whole
story, and it is as told by Mr.. Kibbey yes
terdsy, who says these facts are as his
wife related them to him.
When Mr.. Kibbey was asked if his lit
tie girls clothes were disordered or if
there were any signs about her person of
attempted violence, he replied that his
wife said there was not, and she had
made an examination immediately upon
hearing the child's story.
When Mr.. Sinnett first heard the sland
erous charges against hun lie was natur-
ally shocked beyond expression. and ne
went direct TO Mr. Kibbey about the mat
ter. whom he was led to believe did not
credit his wife story. When questioned
by an ARGUS reporter, MIR. Snnett said
the whole aff4ir was an infamous false
hood gotten up he though for blackm ailing
purposes He said he was down late that
afternoon, and returned home to fad
the little folks having a good time. He
mad just entered the kitchen when the
neighbours child came in and made known
her Grand He told her where the
sprinkler could be found and started up
stairs, the little girl following him. On
the stairs they were met by Mr. Sinnett's
daugater, Miss Jessie Sinnett, who paid
no attention to the little one, as it was
customary for her TO make herself al
home in the house Mr.. Sinnett was up
stairs but a minute when he came down
and was followed few minutes after by
the little girl. Mr.. Sinnett's daughter
says her father was up stairs but an in
slant, and she does not believe he knew
the child was following him.
The rumor was bad enough when it
tarted, but as it spread from lip to lip it
was exaggerated, and made more disgust>
Ing and horrifylng until public lndigna>
ton WIS aroused to such pitch, that mob
violence upon Mr.. Sinnet was threat
ened.
Saturday evening excitement ran high
in the east end. A report got around that
Mr.. Sinnett was to be tarred and feath-
cred. and several % mis- friends and two