New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-25
CHAPLAIN TOWNER IN WATERTOWE.
PLENTY OF PEOPLE KNOW HIM THERE AND
TFsTrFy 10 HIS TRUTHFUJLNESs.

PLENTY OF PEOPLE KNOW HIM THERE AND
TESTIFY TO HIS TRUTHFULNEss.
Watertown. y. Y. Oct. "a CSpecaD.-A few Of
the old acquaintance Of Roger b. Towner remem-
her him when he was in the grocery business
here twenty-four years ago, and they all attach as
much credence to what he says as they would
to a story from the lips of any honest man. Mr
Towner is the chaplain of Abel Smith Post, OF
Brooklyn, and the sgner Of an affidavit in which
he swears that Flower called him "a ID
:ool' for going TO the war that he hoped'
the South would win, and that he didn't
care how long the war lasted as he
was getting rich selling cheap i,welry
TO the wives, daughters and sweethearts OF the
soldiers Towner's statement was received with
such great favor by the G.. A. r. men Of the State
that the Democratic leaders found it necessary to
get this obstacle out OF Mr. Flowers way, and to
that end they got few men here TO deny the
charges Then the Democratic press of New-York
branded Towner as a base falsfer and sent reports
broadcast that the people here wouldn't believe
him under oath.
Mr. Towner came to Watertown this morning
to refute the stories that have been published
against him by r. p. Flower and his friends. Mr..
Towners old business acquaintances and neigh
bors cheerfully signed document to the erect
that his reputation in this city in 1863 IN social
and business circles was good and that in business
matters he was honorable and upright and they
knew OF no reason why any statement made by
him whether under the solemnity Of an oath or
otherwise. should not receive full credence. Even
here at Flowers home such men as l.. ingalls,,
proprietor Of The Post" ex-senator Bradley
Winslow. v p Hubbard, Henry jess and ii. +.
Conger. three prominent merchants; +. > Batchel'
Ter. a travelling man. and 4. Gurnee and Thomas
L. Beecher two weil-known farmers signed GER
tifcate of good character for Mr.. Towner and
added that his story could be considered the truth.
\ At the Republican headquarters large crowd
Of representative men gathered TO make or renew
his acquaintance and hear his story Of Flowers
insults TO the old soldier. He was most cordially
received. and made good impression He re-
liberated here what he had already sworn to con-
corning Flower and among other things said that
he had known Flower from childhood, and that he
never knew him to earn en- honest dollar except
when he IVES employed as clerk In the POST
office here. - - 49,
statement in the Bible, and were l to die TINS
moment would swear TO it. came mere 10
prove that my reputation Is az GOOD as those VINO
signed that paper and | challenge any man,
&oman or child in jefferson County 10 conc
for,Vard and say aught AGAINST me- maze the
agiJalit for no other reason than that such
man as Flower should not be elected T9verh9r.
II IN " rr not for his millions and the backing ne
would rive the people who have slandered anu
assailed my character, i would sue them quioAei
than lightning. eo-- do,.s and
thon will return TO Brooklyn with any hummer
Of certificates Of good character from One Pe0p'
Of this community.