The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-07-20
COMMUNICATIONS.
From Mr., Kneesl,aw.

COMMUNICATIONS.
From Mr.. Kneeshaw.
Editor of PIONEER EXPRESS
notice i'll your last weeks paper an
article signed "G. II. Mesquite" in which
my name is brought in question by him,
and us lie has seen fit to do SO, he alone
will be responsible for any unpleasant
things that may be said by me in this or
other articles.
would not consider it necessary to
answer the article in question in locali-
ties where he is known, because no per-
son that knows him could believe him
under oath, but rs even the bite of cur
does injury to the body, so also might
the sayings of an unprncipled cur in
human form do harm to the character Of
a gentleman amongst those that may not
be personally acquainted with them.
therefore write this letter for the purpose
of explaining this matter TO those that
may not be acquainted will, me. In the
first place, therefore, l deny that the
affidavit was gotten from Mr.. Bird by
mo, or that l had anything to do with it
except as follows: Some time in March,
lSSS, l was employed by Mr.. Bird to
assist him i'll settling q case then pend
ing against him by Pcmbina county.
was informed by Mr.. LaAloure that Mr..
Bird had stated to Mr.. lIaight, county
commissioner, that while the suit was
pending against Bird, Megquicr had i'll
formed him (Birdl that he need not he
afraid Of the suit brought against him by
Pembna county for suspension, salary
and clerk hire, us they could not suspend
him or make him pa. it back, and Mr..
l.aMoure stated that lie and the other
commissioners would like to lave MIR.
Bird make affidavit to that effect, if such
was the ease. Mr.. LaAlourc, Mr. Bird
and myself had some talk ON tine subject
and my name was suggested to make
out the affidavit. l said that would
daft form Of affidavit, but would not
have anything further to do with it, as if
| did it would be claimed that had got
it up through spite. Mr.. Bird and N.Y.
self then went down to my office, and at
MIR. Birds dictation l drafted form of
affidavit. We then walked down to
Wincllestcr's corner and handed the
paper to Mr.. LaMoure, lie agreeing TO
have an affidavit drawn up by some
other person, and l have had nothing
further to do with the matter since that
time. The affidavit that WAS signed and
sworn to by MIR. Bird was not in my
handwriting, and l WAS not present
when it was sworn to, and had 10 per-
sonal knowledge of its even lraying been
made. will further Say that had no
knowledge Of the action of the county
commissioners, and had been consult
ed III the matter, would have said not to
publish it; not because did not believe
he deserved it, but simply because l
knew he would 50 round the county, as
he did during the last election, and with
an air of injured innocence, claim that
he was Il much abused man; but l do
not think that he can play that game OH
an Intelligent people again, rs Ike stands
branded before tle public as guilty of
everything charged against him by Mr..
Young in the PIONEER ExrEEss in Octo-
Der of 1856; and if you ask Inc why, 1
will say that Mr.. Megquier was elected
under false representations. Certain
serious charges were made against him
by MIR. Young, and he Immediately
bucklcd OH his arnlor and went before
the people denying those charges. and
promised that as soon us the election
was over he would arrest MIR. Young
and vindicate himself; and rs the charges
We're made So soon before election, OH
account Of the denial and the tears Of
Mr.. Megquier and his eloquencc, the
people took pity OH him; but l will ask
this question, did he keep his promise,
did lie arrest MIR. Young, has he vindi-
Gated himself? l say he has not, and he
stands before the people to-day as guilty
Of every one of the serious charges made
against him by Mr.. Young.
The whole object Of Mr.. Megquier's
reply is to draw the attention from the
real issue, by making the people believe
that LaAIoure and kneeslaw are after
his scalp, and are planning his downfall.
lie wants the people to lose sight Of the
main issue, which is this; that Mr.. Meg
quier while district attorney of pembiln,
county, and having previously informed
the board Of county commissioners that
) he could suspend Mr.. Bird and could
recover judgment against him for over.
drawn salary and clerk hire, and willie
said suit against Bird was pending, in
formed him (Bird) that he need not he
afraid Of the suit brought against him by
Pembina county for suspension, salary
and clerk hire, MS they could not sls
pend him or make him pay it back.
Now that is all there is in the case, anC
admitting that LaMoure and kneeslaN
! did get this ailidayit, does it change the
1 fact that Mr.. Megquicr, while district at
j torney and while suit was pendin.
f against Mr. Bird by the county, inform
II ell the defendant in the case that Ii,
o need not fear the suit as the county fu
whom he was acting could not rccove
6 judgment. Now, is that professional
9 Is it just? Is it right? How would an
:. farmer like it ii lie employed me t,
!. bring suit against any person, and after
!. waads, while the sand suit was pending
l went round to the defendant in til
II action and stated that he need not fea
G the result of the action as my ellen
It could not recover? Is not that two
faced? This is the only point in th
whole case. have attached to thi
letter All affidavit from Mr.. Bird, whic
e explains my position and clearly show
II that Mr.. Bird understood what lie W.,
I signing, and that what he did sign an