Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-23
From the oskaloosa Independent.

From the OskaIoosa Independent.
Every candidate who presents himself
for public Office invites an investigation
of his public and private life, so far, at
least, as they affect his honesty and in
tsgrity. Especially is this true Of the
man who aspires to the highest Office in
the gift of the people Of the state. The
governor of q great commonwealth
should be man Of upright life; his hon
esty and integrity as q pri-
vate citizen should be beyond
question. No candidate for this exalted
position can escape honest and candid
inquiry, on the part Of the conscientious
voter, into his daily life; nor can the
honest voter afford to vote blindly for
the party nominee, regardless OF the
question of honesty and integrity on the
part Of the candidate. 1t has been
charged that John F. Willis, one of the
candidates for governor, is wanting in
these qualities, so essential to the man
who shall preside as governor Of Kansas.
If the charge is true, the public should
know it. If false, the facts should be
made known, to the end that Mr.. Willis
may be exonerated from so grave q
charge.
For the purpose, therefore, Of giving
the exact truth concerning the rumors
rejecting on Mr.. Willis character for
integrity, We have instituted investiga-
ton, and shall now present to the public
the exact facts, with the proofs on which
they are based. Among his immediate
neighbors these facts have been known
for years. The true character Of the
man in this vicinity is well known; and
it is due to the people of Kansas, who
are called upon to support him for the
great Office of governor, TO know the
truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth. Though the duty is an uH-
pleasant one, still it is duty that as q
public journal the Independent cannot,
in justice to itR patrons and the public,
escape.
The record with regard to John F.
Willis will disclose the following un-
pleasant facts:
First-That as administrator Of his
fathers estate be presented false and
fictitious bills and procured their al
lowsnce by perjury.
Second-That as such administrator
he swindled his widowed sister out of
her interest in her fathers estate, and
that she was forced to sue him in the
district court in this county to recover
the money that was due her.
Third-That In 1856 he procured some
six of his neighbors, who were members
of the same Grange to which he belonged
at the time, to join him in pFomissory
notes for borrowed money amounting to
some 100000 to be used in carrying on
a Grange store at McLouth; and when
500 of the notes came due, the Grange
store having failed before the 500 was
paid, Mr. Willis put his property in his
wife's name and left his neighbors and
brothers in the order to foot the bills,
while he escaped without the payment
Of cent.
These are grave charges, and if true
show that Mr.. Willis is not only unfit
for the great office to which he aspires,
but unworthy the support Of honest
men.
But they are true, true in letter and
in spirit. Indeed, the records and aft
davits herewith submitted show that
Mr.. Willis is not only personally dis
honest and corrupt, but they show that
he is SO wanting in the better impulses
of humanity that he would swindle his
own sister.
John F. Willis resides at Round
Grove, in this county. Sometime
in 1879 his father died, leaving forty
acres of land and $35 in personal
property. He did not owe exceed
ing s. of debts at that time.
Mrs. Anna B. Lincicum, widowed sis
ter, at that time resided in the same
neighborhood with her five fatherless
children. Her husband had died some
time before, from the effects Of his army
service. After the death OF the elder
Willis, John F. Willis procured him
self to be appointed administrator Of
his dead fathers estate in the probate
court Of Jefferson county. There were
no debts and the heirs were OF age,
hence there was no honest necessity for
an administrator. But John F. Willis
was appointed. He took the estate. con-
sistinG of forty acres Of land, valued at