The Russellville Democrat., 1890-07-03

and prominent and leading republi can was next seen and he very courteousIY gave his written opinion as follows
 State of Arkansas. County of Pope.
 This is to certify that do not believe that certain anonymous letter hereto fore received by John Boans Of Rus sellyilie, Ark, was written f0- politi- cal effect. do not believe politics had anything to do with 1t.
 W. W. BRAsHEAR, F. M.
 Russellvilie. Ark.
 Ed. B. J. Dillon, pastor of the Christian church, who was raised 8 republican aud never was q demo crat, was next seen. He it was who made an address on Decoration Day (May 30), which displeased the c. A. R. post because the speaker took strong grounds against the organiza- tion, claiming that because 1t served to engender bad feeling between northern and southern people, It had no business to exist. Some cores pondence ensued between Messrs Boans and Dillon in regard to this speech. It might be stated here that both these gentlemen belong to the same church. and both are ministers. Mir. Dillon gave this stateIens O. his connection with the affair:
 RussellviIle, Ark. July 1st.
 About ten days prior to May 30th, Mir. Meeker came to me and stated that he was a committee to wait upon me, to see if I would address the citizens on Decoration day. I received the i'm pression that, as citizens, we were to assemble for the purpose of decorating the graves of the dead soldiers. knew that there was G. A. R. post here, but since the citizens of the town bought the flag, expected nothing less than that the whole community would partake in the exercises.
 consented to give short address. A few days after. Bro. John BOans met me and informed me that was on the program. On the 30th went and ad- dressed them. After a few days, received card from John BOans. stating that my ad- dress was an insult to him and to the audience, and he desired an explana- ton. I wrote him letter containing the substance of what I said (because he is deaf); l also gave him my req sons for speaking as l did. l carried the letter to him and remained until he had read it and made his comments. He seemed to regret that l had made the speech, and expressed his determi- nation to have man here next year who would speak right.
 I went home thinking that the mat ter was settled, but after two days l received letter from John B0ans, in- forming me that he was insulted and could not get over it
 A few days after this I learned that he had received q letter and that 1t was intimated by some of the G. A. K. post that l was the author of it. This information was given me by James Harkey in his office, who showed me the letter.
 After this. only a few minutes, l passed Bro. John B0ans on the street and extended my hand as usual, to shake hands, but he withdrew his hand, saying: Not after that letter I received this morningr' said: "Yes, I heard of the letter; but you don't think that I wrote it, do you? He said: 'sWell, think that you are the cause of it." After this time we have had no conversation.
 I have been ill RusseIlville, Arkan- sas since January 1st, 1890. l came from Watertown, $. D., where l was pastor of church one year. l went from Burlington, C0ffey county, Kan- sas, to Dakota. I lived in Coffey county. Kansas, four years. Was raised in Huntington county, Indiana, at War ren. B. J. DlLLON.
 We are sure that It will be conced : ed that it is unfortunate for MT. Boans to be placed in the attitude he finds himself. To use his own language "It Is an insult to this town and county" to write such a communication without cause, and strange that any person "could have the impotence and so degrade themselves and the good cltl- zens of Russellville as to ad- dress such communication to any one" We are sure bis connection with the G. A. R. did not prompt the writing of the anon ymous letter. Neither did his con. nection with that American flag. Democrats contributed to the pur- chase of that flag as we'll as republI- cans, and they never expected that such ingratitude would ever be ex. pressed by the same person who called on them to contribute. It is not true that Gin Arkan- sas justice is blind to any crime committed by democrats" neither is it true that "Arkansas is her own worst enemy" He- worst enemies are those who islander the people among whom they live and from whom naught but favors have ever been received. A. M. Wilson and G. W. Eby enacted this role, and we but voice the sentiment of this entire community when we ex press regret and surprise that MT. Boans has 80 far forgotten himself as to follow in their footsteps.