The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-01-03
slamdor.

FSLaGNUNRe
In its Issue Of Nov. 9th, the Lee
RayNille Advertiser, paper published
in Bradford county, Pa, forged the
following extract
A private letter from ] L. Grant, Of
johnson City, Tenn, formerly Of Ste
yensville, this county, tells the story
how he was recently impressed with
the fact that the shotgun did largely
control the ballot-box in the South.
He says, cas- lie turned from the polls
after casting his (Republican) vote, a
bullet passed close by his head whiz-
ling thro' the air. He reached home
alive, and since which time he has
been unable to secure q single laborer
to assist him in running his large
lumber mill for fear of their lives. 1t
is said he will soon return TO Stevens
Vile again to reside, This is another
sample Of how Solid South" is con-
tinued.
Mr.. Grant replied as fellows
JOHNSON Cry, Tenn, Dec 5, 1884.
EDITOR ADVERTISER I'm looking
over your issue of Nov. 9th, / was
surprised to find what purports to be
an extract from private letter writ
ten by myself to some person North,
which from beginning to end is con-
temtible lie in every word and letter,
! and would thank you to inform ME
from what source You obtained your
information. You make me say, "as /
returned from the polls, after asting
my (RepUbIican) cote, a bullet passed
I by my head, Whiszing ii, ough the ar,
aud that | reached no me alive, and
since that time haze been snGble 10 Sc
cure a single laborer to assist in run
ming my niA," l am puzzled to know
why any person OF average sense,
could write such trash, and have arriv-
ed ut the conclusion that he was either
drunk, crazy or hopelessly deprayed.
In answer to the sinner, | will say, |
am Ms strong Republican now as /
ever was, but not having lived in Ten
nessee long enough tobecome ayoter,I
! did not vote at the last election, nor
do | know where the polls were open
ed in our city. l will also say, that as
far as intimidation is concerned, there
is none in this region assert tohdt /
kpoW. Democrats and Republicans go
to the polls and vote as they see fit,
with none to modest or make them
afraid. Further than this, this is a
Republican county and district, and a
more quiet election | never witnessed.
Our men went to the polls in pairs in
the course OF the day, and the factory
continued to run as usual.
The sooner the Northern people
Danish from their minds the delusion,
that it is unsafe for any man to live
here, the sooner will harmony prevail
over the country. AS to the people
here, | will say, that a more hospita-
BILE, kind hearted people it was never
my lot to meet We came here nearly
a year ago, and were warmly greeted,
: and presented with fine mill site in
the heart OF town, where two railroads
run side tracks to our yard. Our fac
: tory ia nearly twice as large as our
: Stevensyille mill Our trade is con
a stantly increasing, SO much so, that
we have formed co-partnership with
our old friend, K. Stevens, formerly
j from Stevensyille, and l.. r. Bull, o
q Towandy, Pa, We nov employ nine
y teen men, and are always crowded
. with work What more can reasona-
BILE men ask for. My advise to my
northern friends, is to sell their trap,
J to the highest bidder, and come to s
d country where the climate is unsur
! passed, where all is tranquility anC
friendship, where every man votes a
: he chooses, where bull-dozing is I'm
7. known, and where business prospect
i are equal to any other section, ana
n superior to most. Trusting you vii
do me the justice to insert this repl!
> as an Offset to the vile SANDER that ap
peared in your issue, Of Nov. 9th,
;. remain respectfully, J. l.. GRANT.
a PS.-We will further say, that WI
i have no intention or desire TO return
II to Stevensyille. j. L. &.