Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-10
OsGOODBY AFRAID OF MOBBiNG.
The Author of the Murchison Letter
Will be Here at Inauguration.

A Los Angeles correspondent of the New
York Times tells an interesting story regard
ing the man, Osgoodby, who wrote the letter
which called out Lord Sackvilles famous re-
ply. The correspondent first met Osgoodby
on October 26, when he went to Pomona to see
him at the request of prominent Los Angeles
republicans. The newspaper mans visit was
for the purpose of doing all in his power to get
''Murchison" to consent to make his true name
| public. This was four days after the corres-
pondence had been published. The country
was excited. The correspondent learned that
the town was full of San Francisco detectives
and newspaper men, and ''Murchison" was
| frightened 80 badly that he took to his bed
| and had not eaten mouthful for two DAYS.
Only three persons in Pomona knew that Os-
| goodby was the author Of the letter. Osgoodby
met them outside, when he managed to hobble.
and every possible argument was used to in
duce him to consent to the use Of his name.
but he fatty refused. The meeting took place
| IN dark spot under some trees, and it was i'm
possible to get good look at his face. He
| trembled so from fright that he could hardly
talk, but the correspondent managed to get the
| following statement out of him.
MURcHIsoN's STATEMENT.
II don't want my name given to the public
for several reasons. In the first place, my
health is SO poor that fear the excitement
will kill me. In the second place. nv wife's
parents are from the south. and they are the
strongest democrats yon ever saw, and if they
learn that have done this thing Is Mr. Cleve-
land they will take her away from me. My
God! l never had any idea that the publica-
ton OF that Sackville letter would raise such a
row. Had dreamed of such thing should
have burned it. No. sir; will never give up
my name anyway until after Mr. Cleveland
goes out of Office. Why did write the letter
to Sackville? 1 don't know. l thought it
would be good joke, and when l received the
answer to my letter L showed it to Mr.. Bell,
who induced me to give both of them-for
geles Times. That's all; but don't say word
| In the papers about this meeting place."
The correspondent did not again see Osgood-
by until three DAYS before the election when
he and Col. H: g. Otis went out to Pomona to
bring "Murchison' to Los Angeles, as it had
been given out on good authority that the dem
ocrats had learned the name of Murchison and
were
ORGANIZING TO MOB HIM
They arrived at Pomona late in the evening.
1t was raining quite hard, and no one at Pomo-
ma noticed them when they left the train. Col.
Otis had never met Murchison, but he had made
up his mind to bring him to Los Angeles and
| secrete him until after the election. Col Otis
secreted himself in the outskirts of Pomona.
while the correspondent took a circuitous route
and found himself at ''Murchison's' front door
sickly-looking little woman answered his
knock, and when he told his business he was
ushered through an empty room and came face
to face with Osgoodbys who had a big
| shotgun in his hands 6hd demanded in
gruff voice what was wanted Os-
goodby recognized the newspaper mans
| voice as soon as he spoke and lowered his shot
gun. Poor 'Murchison' had not yet gotten
over his fright, and i'll explanation of his sin.
/ tlar 3D.,
ready all the time for the reason that have
made up my mind not to be taken alive if the
democrats come for me-" The situation was
explained to him, and he consented to go to
| Los Angeles. He was brought to Los Angeles
that night and was kept concealed until after
the election. He lives in a small cottage on
one of the principal streets of Pomona and il
known to almost every citizen of Pomona. pc
| is slow of speech, and no one would take hi1
for man of education at first, but after yot
talk to him while you will see that he is well
| posted. Osgoodby's father, who is eighty
years DID, does not think his son acted honor.
ably in making Sackville's letter public.
CLAIMANTS TO THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE LETTER.
Owing to the fact that certain politicians in
Pomona and Los Angeles claimed to be the arl.
thors of the letter and have importuned Gen
Harrison for Office on the strength of those
claims, 1T was decided, some time ago. to re-
veal the name of the author to the President
elect in order to protect him against imposters
This was done In a long communication on
New Year day, over thu signature of Harrison
Gray Otis, editor of tie Los Angeles Times
| and VIZ. Fitzgerald, member of the California
republican state executive committee
Osgoodby did not want his name made public
until the 4th of March, but it leaked out at g
dinner at San Juan by the sea a few days ago
newspaper man. who was present. at once
gave it to a Los Angeles paper, which pub.
lished it. Osgoodby was in Los Angeles yes.
terday, but locked himself up and refused to
see newspaper men: He expects to be in Wash
| ington on the 4th Of March,