Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-05-23

UNITED STATES JAIL,
| WAsHINGToN, D. c.,
May l6, 1888.
10 THE EDITOR or THE T1MEs-
A copy of the WEEKLY TIMES Of
the 9th inst. has been sent me-. with
an article headed "a Great Scoun.
drel.-That is what Colonel Thomn.
son is said to be-"
have read the article carefully
with many regrets at the misrepre-
se"tat'ons that are 'uade in regard to
my present situation, and belle, ing
the ZINES would do me justice if the
facts were known to the editor and
proprietor of that paper.
am hcralded to the country as a
great scoundrel, being three years a
fugitive from justice, and arrested
for committing pension frauds. Now
for a few facts in regard to these
charges. First.-I was arrested and
am now in prison Cor what is claimed
and alleged by the prosecution to be
crime under Section 54S5 of the
Statutes of the United States, for
withholding pension money from two
children for which was appointed
guardian about the year 1872. l
have not had one cent of their money
in my hands since September, 1877,
as the records show now on file in the
Third Auditors office in ashington,
D. C.-of which have a truly Ger.
tilted copy thereof under seal of the
Department.
In the year 1877 I was indicted in
the circuit court of McNairy county,
Tennessee, for this same offense; was
arrested rs | am now, gave bonds for
my appearance at court, and met the
charge upon a most thorough investi.
CATION by the prosecuting officer. The
case was dismissed, and certificate
was given me under seal of the court
certificate is now on file in
the Pension Office, Washington, DC.
have certified copy thereof under
seal OF the Department Of the Interior
in my possession. This certifes that
the indictment found against II. NJ.
Thompson at the circuit court of
county, held at the regular
term for 1877, has been dismissed,
there being no evidence of fraud or
Intentional wrong, doing on his part.
About 1888 l had a serious trouble
with party here in Washington,
whose name | will not now mention,
Is the case is we'll known. Suffice it
% say it was decided by the proper
officers of the Treasury Department
hat l was in the right, as the records
will show. This party appealed to
he courts and carried it to the Su.
,reme Court of the State of Tonnes
zee where it was again decided in my
avor, as the records of that Court will
how. In May, 1885, l was indicted
gain fer the same offense, charged
With Withholding these same child
ems pension money. l heard of it,
vent to the court, and was permitted
o leave by the prosecuting officer. l
vas not under arrest. I have collect
ID something over $500 for these
children up to September, 1877. l
collected no more after that time.
They went South and l did not know
where they were. paid them over
'140O in cash, and l schooled ard
clothed them; and If l had fair
ettlement with them | do not owe
hem one cent. But they are in the
lands and under the control of my
enemies, aud demand $4,000 from me.
Now, this is what | am arrested for,
md now in prison and advertised all
over the country.
know the TINES will not do me
IN injustice. As you have published
he article against me will you not
publish this letter in full for ma-for
hese are the facts in my case?
My visit TO HALEY was pleasant
me. ! have the highest regards and
.indest feelings for the people there.
It was the place contemplated re-
urn,ng to and making it my home.
A part Of my family was arranging
% gn there with me and make it their
nome also; but this prosecution has
come up again aud will delay my re.