The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-01
MR.. McaARRY's sTATEMDNP
OFFICE OF Poor FARM,
Anril OK ISQS
Editor Free Press,

OFFICE OF Poor FARM, /
April rs, 1851
Editor Free Press.
think you did me grave injusticein
your article of the oath inst. about Ed
dinger and another tramp, calling and
being harbored at the county farm and
by me.
First, Eddinger came alone about ilO3
O'Clock, Saturday, April 18th, and in
quired for work. After telling him that
had no work for him we walked to-
ward the barn, where he saw three boys
playing, amongst them his boy, and
when they met / first realized who he
was. He said he came to Mankato FRI
being molested and passed officer Blake
shoulder to shoulder, then told me he
came back with the intention of giving
himself up, as he did not consider the
charges against him of serious nature.
He talked TO his boy half hour or
more. Being informed that dinner was
ready, ] asked him to have dinner, which
! gave him with no intention Of harbor.
ing or feeding fugitive from justice.
He made few remarksaboutth boy,
saying he was pleased how he grew and
that he did not want him. ] told him
had good place for him and that it
would be best for the boy. He was salts
fed and said that he would be willing at
any time to sign the necessary papers to
place him in good hands: Then in
formed me he was going to Napoleon
then after to Mankato. / told him l
was going to Mankato and he expressed
q willingness to go with me, but told
him l could not make place to give him
ride. He then took the road for Ma
x%latnY, II Gnu nf him affair."
wards, but he came with an accomplice
Monday afternoon about o'clock and
stole the child from the farm. At that
time was out in the field. An old Ger
man inmate of the farm called and
wanted to know what they were doing
with that child. They ran up to this
German, knocked him down and told
him if he made any more noise they
would shoot him. l came in about five
minutes and got ready to notify the au-
thorities of the law. But upon meeting
Mr.. I. Fl. Williams he volunteered his
willingness to inform the Sheriff at once
and drove in post haste to the city. The
Sheriff and Deputy being duly informed.
Now, If the officera- wanted this man
Eddinger, why didn't they make search
for him, as he only had about 4 hours
the start with large six year old boy To
| lHTTY, dIlu lIiltlh IL JltC ttutl 10 hh0Wh
the officers only wanted newspaper no.
toriety mt my expense.
Hoping, Mr.. Editor, that this is q
satisfactory explanation.
remain very truly yours
THos. MCGARRY,
Supt. County Farm.
| Mr.. McGarry maintains that we dc
him an injustice, yet does not deny one
assertion contained in our article. We
have no reason to reiterate the criti
cism then expressed, and still adhere to
the fact that he was guilty of gross neg
ligence in not notifying Sheriff Monks
or any other authority when he was in
the city OH Saturday, shortly after
Eddinger was at the farm, and again OIL
Sunday. Though our language in REGARD
to his being about there on Sunday may
be little ambiguous we did not wish II
convey the idea that Mr.. McGarry wal
"harboring" him, as is intimated, bu
that he remained in close proximity Il
the place, as is plainly stated farther or
in our article. All the circumstances
show, concfusively, that he did not q
far away; and as to his accomplish &C
companying him to the place OH Satur
day, we have more reason now TO be
lieve that this was the case than eve
before, though the Superintendent wa
in no wise cognizant of the fact. 1t wa
manifestly we'll laid scheme to stea
the child, Notwithstanding Eddinger'
very plausibly appearing statements b
the contrary. We have none but kind!
feelings toward Mr.. McGarry and full!
acknowledge his superior qualification
for the position he holds, consequently
J what we stated was not born of malic
or Ill will. We have no reason to reiter
ate any criticism then made, for 1t wa
inexcusable negligence on his part,
fact which he does not deny, nor cal
any one else,