Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-04-12
THE PRESIDENTS BOY.
He Has Got Himself Into a
Very Tight Place.
GOVERNOR CROSBY AFTER HIM.
Lively Libel Suit Caused by His
Recklessness When West
ern Journalist.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
New York, April 11.-Russell Harri-
son was arrested this afternoon in the
offices of the Judge, in the Potter Build
ing, on the charge of having published in
the Montana Liue Stock Journal, an arti-
Gle taken from Buffalo paper accusing
Governor John Schuyler Crosby, of Mon
tana, with having stolen jewels from a
Washington lady. Harrison came on
from Washington last night for the pur-
pose of having papers in the suit served
on him. A warrant was issued by Judge
Beach, of the Supreme Court, who fixed
his bail at $4,000. Stephen B. Elkins,
Vice President Rice, of the Park Bank,
and w. ]. Arkell, of the Judge, became
Harrison's bondsmen.
Harrison was not in charge of the pa
per at the time the article was published
and knew nothing about it. When his
attention was drawn to the fact that the
Buffalo paper had not told the truth,
Harrison offered to publish a suitable re-
traction. This, however, Crosby would
not accept, but demanded that Harrison
should write him a personal letter of
apology, and also print the same. Har-
rison declined to do this. Crosby hopes
by having him arrested to force him to
do SO.
Russell Harrison, when asked if he
had anything to say, replied: Nothing
at the present time. The facts and evil
dence will be given to the public in the
show conclusively that had nothing to
do with the instigation of the story pub
lished. and did not learn of it until April
80, 1887, six weeks after its publication
in the Buffalo CommerciaL- -AdUertiser."
William A. Sweetzer, Harrison's attor-
ney, said "The considerable delay in
bringing the action and then this insti-
tuting a suit in locality where
the defamatory matter would never
have been known had in not been
brought to public notice by Crosby him.
self, are matters which will be fully ex-
planned in tho trial. Hr. Harrison dis
claims all liability or responsibility in
the matter, his only connection with it
being that of president of the company
owning the paper that made the publica-
ton. 1t has been charged by Crosby
that Harrison caused the libel in question
to be published out of personal hatred or
vindictiveness toward him. In point Of
fact, Crosby has not been unfavorably
mentioned, with this exception, in the
paper since the first day of its publica-
tiqn."
In his complaint Crosby introduces the
article printed, which is of rather a
scathing nature. 1t was originally writ
ten for the Buffalo paper by its Washing
ton correspondent, who was afterwards
discharged for having written it. The
matter complained of bears reference
to alleged questionable acts of Crosby
while Governor of Montana, and con-
cludes by alleging the theft of diamonds
from lady in Washington. The COM
plant closes with demand for 100000
from Mr.. Harrison with costs, for al
legged malicious and criminal libel,
In bis affidavit accompanying the,
complaint. Crosby seeks to show cause
for hatred of him on the part of Harri-
son, and states that after he had re-
signed ike position of Governor and was
acting as First Assistant Postmaster
General, defendant Harrison removed
Manner Brady Wilkins, formerly Cros-
by's private secretary, prom his position
in the Assay Office at Helena
without making charges against
him. Through the influence of
Crosby, Wilkins WAS re-instated
and he alleges that this created an ami
mostly on the part of the defendant
toward him. Appended to the complaint
is letter from one Leslie Fullgrove,
formerly editor Of the Montana Journal,
disclaiming personal responsibility for
the appearance of the Objectionable mat
ter, and asserting that Harrison and
lawyer McCutcheon of Helena caused it's
publication,