Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-18
RUSSELL B. ARRESTED.
He's Spunky Fellow Like His Ancest

He's Spunky Fellow Like His Ancestors.
New YORK, April 11.-Russell B. Harri-
son was arrested today for criminal libel,
preferred by Ex-Governor Crosby, of
Montana, whom he charged with stealing
jewels from Washington lady.
Judge LamOreaux, of BalIston Spa, is
Mr.. Harrison's counsel, and w. l.. weet-
ser his attorney. Mr.. Harrison was not
in charge of his paper at the time the
article was published and knew nothing
about it. When his attention was drawn
to the fact that the Buffalo paper did not
tell the truth, Harrison offered to pub
lish a suitable retraction. This, how
ever, Crosby would not accept. He de-
manded that Harrison should write him
personal letter of apology, and also
print the same. Mr.. Harrison refused to
do this, and 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 evidence
will be given to the public in the court
proce edings. I will be able to show con-
clusively that I had nothing to do with
the instigatiOn of the story published,
a1d did not learn of it until April 80, 1887,
SIX weeks after its publication in the
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser"
William A. Sweetzer, Harrison's at
torney, said: considerable delay in
bringing the action and then instituting
a suit in locality where the defamatory
matter would never have been known had
it not been brought to public notice by
Crosby himself, are matters which will
be fully explained in the trial. Mr.. Har-
rison disclaims all liability or response
bility in the matter, his only connection
with it being that of president of the
company owning the paper that made
the publication. 1t has been charged by
Crosby that Harrison caused the libel
in question to be published out of per-
sonal 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 publication"
In his complaint Crosby introduces the
article printed, which is of rather
scathing nature. 1t was originally writ
ten for Buffalo paper by it's Washing
ton correspondent who was after2 ards
discharged for having written it. The
matter planned of bears references to
alleged questionable acts of Crosby while
governor of Montana, and concludes by
alleging theft of diamonds from lady
in Washington. The complaint closes
with a demand for 100000, from Mr..
Harrison, with costs for alleged malicious
and criminal libel. In his affidavit ac-
companying the complaint, Crosby seeks
to sho~ cause for hatred of him on the
part of Harrison, and states that after he
had resigned the position of governor
and was acting as first assistant post
master general, the defendant, Harrison,
removed Major Brady Wilkins, formerly
Crosby's private secretary, from his posi-
ton in the Helena assay office without
making charges against him. Through
the influence of Crosby, Wilkins was re-
instated. and ne alleges that this action
created an animosIty on the part of the
defendant towards him. Appended to
the com plant is letter from one LesIy
Folgrove, formerly the editor of the Mon
tana Letter, di5claimiug the personal re-
sponsibility for the appearance of the
Objectionable matter and asserting that
Harrison and lawyer McCutcheon, of
Helena, caused its publication.