Evening journal., 1889-09-02
FALSE CHARGES VENTILATED.
Trying to Gust the Keeper of the Pot
Penn Lighthouse.

Penn Lighthouse.
An effort is being made to force George
w. Duncan, the efficient keeper Of the
Port Penn front range light from hls
position, by bringing trumped up
charges against him. Duncan was ap
pointed in October 1885, aud has proved
a most efficient keeper. The charges are
brought by w. H. Miller. of Port Penn,
who, il is said desires to have his son-in
law, Edward Hammer, an employe Of
George w. Bush & Sons, in this city,
appointed to the position.
The charges are neglect Of duty, spend
ing his time at the pier house and drunk
enness. Mr.. Miller claims that Duncan
secured the removal of his predecessor,
Henry Walters, bv means of trumped up
charges sworn to by Thomas 5. Eaton
and John Stevens Miller says that
/ Duncan is an ex-rebel, who declares that
/ the war was failure. That his father
was blatant rebel during the war and
was Imprisoned in Fort Delaware for
Haunting the rebel flag in the faces Of
those of lis townsmen, whom he could
bully.
Mr. Miller names as witnesses who can
prove bis charges Henry Walters, a man
named Price and another man named
| Fanice Miller addressed his letter ask
ing for Duncan's removal to Commander
j. J Reep, Inspector OF the Fourth
lighthouse district. Commander Reed
headquarters are in Philadelphia and the
| Fourth lighthouse district includes
the Port Penn front range light. Not
receiving any reply, Miller came to this
city and secured the services OF r. O.
Fraim, ESQ. Mr. Fraim also wrote Com
mander Reed stating that he knew Miller
10 be truthful, reliable man, and saying
the same of the witnesses by whom
Miller expected TO prove his charges
1t is needless to say that Duncan is {
Democrat and those who are endeavorinl
TO onset him are Republicans Since tbs
Civil Service laws went into effect the
Legislative service has been entirely re
moved from political interference. Keep
ers retain their positions as long as the,
attend 20 their duty and keep out o.
active political work.
Commander Reed considers Mr.. Dun
can one Of the most efficient officers il
the district and this light one of the bes
kept. He is not partizan, but attend
to his business, more than can be said o
the man who has brought the trivia
charges against him. He has never beer
under the Influence Of liquor to an ex
tent when he could not at
tend to his duty as keeper. And hi
duties, and the management OF the Por
Penn front range light have not bee
neglected since he has been keeper
What Mr.. Miller says about Mr.. Duncan
, father, who is now 80 years OF age and /
living at New Castle. is false in ever
, respect. Henry Walters, the keeper VIII
proceeded Mr. Duncan lives on his farr
at Port Penn, near the lighthouse. H
/ was dismissed because, in violl
: tion of the rules Of the servic,
j he did not live at the hgh
e house, refused to wear the uniforl
Of the service and was bitter partisa
and political worker, none Of which WI
f trumped up. and all OF which was provet
e Mr.. Walters strictly forbid that his nan
q should be used as a witness in an
4 charges against Mr.. Duncan.
w. II. Miller, who brings the charge
/ is man who has little property bt
no business. Precariously living on h
e limited income he has plenty Of leisure
g which to pick out faults in his neigl
bors, while being blind TO his own, an
to the slight esteem in which he is hel
+ in the village where he lives. Price, OF
I | hl tHb WlAAthStS WHICH Miller expects
swear to the charges against Duncan.
q colored farm employe of M
q Walter Taunce, another witness
a fisherman. who has a grudge again
q Duncan, on account of barbed wi
n fence which the latter erected, runnir
s down to low water mark. This fence
TO keep cattle in a neighboring field fro
trespassing on his vegetable garden. b
Faunce asserts that it is to keep hi
!. from stretching his nets and fishing
the shore about the lighthouse.
Commander Reed has notified NJ
Duncan to be ready in few days, VIII
he will visit the lighthouse with q
( tender Zizania and investigate q
charges Mr.. Duncan has over thir
= witnesses to prove his good character a
strict attention to duty and win have
u difficulty in throwing back the fal
charges into the teeth Of the Office GOV,
ing Republicans who have made the
Edward Hammer. who Miller wants
have appointed keeper. is no more dt
the position than crab is to keep q
Il goods store