The Newtown bee., 1891-07-31
Work to Stop at Castle Ronald.

George w. Stuart resigned, Wednes-
day, as superintendent of the work at
Castle Ronald. Mr. Ronalds gave him
until Thursday noon to reconsider the
action, at which time he came to Mr. Stu
art to plan work for eight or ten days,
as he was about to leave the peak for a
short Summer trip. Mr. Stuart said that
it was unnecessary to plan work for him
later than Saturday night, unless Mr.
Ronalds would make public avowal,
withdrawing the charges scattered
broadcast and expressing confidence in
Mr. Stuart's character and work. This
Mr. Ronalds declined to do and said that,
if Mr. Stuart persisted in his resignation,
work must stop at the castle until after
his return from his trip. Mr. Ronalds ac-
cused Mr. Stuart of boycotting him, be-
cause all the men quit work when he
did, some weeks since. This Mr. Stuart
stoutly denied and said that he did not
influence one of his men to stop work at
that time.
Soon after the castle was burned, last
Fall, Mr. Ronalds being then abroad, his
son who is in New York came here and
urged Mr. Stuart to take charge of affairs
at the peak, promising to see that he was
paid, should Mr. Ronalds, Sr, not ap-
prove of the arrangement. Mr. Ronalds,
however, ratified the bargain and, after
his return, Mr. Stuart says that he gave
him control of affairs. The work of re-
building went rapidly ON, but Fred Hart
man, the coachman and the gardener
were Jealous of the power held by Mr.
Stuart and complained to Mr. Ronalds
that the men were often idle and that Mr.
Stuart hindered the gathering of the hay
crop by taking the horses when he should
not have done. Mr. Ronalds heard these
charges with believing ear. Mr. Stu
with the hay harvest, though he once
took one of the horses, one morning, to
return tools borrowed for work ON the
peak and, on lowery day, had the hors-
es employed in hauling material for the
castle. Mr. Stuart also denies that the
men were 'soldiering." These annoy
ances so disturbed Mr. Stuart that, few
weeks ago, he and all the men employed
at the castle, except the coachman and
gardener, stopped work; in common
speech, they struck. Mr. Ronalds, how
ever, induced Mr. Stuart and his men to
return, still retaining the coachman and
gardener. Then came the anonymous
letters to Fred, the coaehman, which also
threatened the gardener, warning them
to leave town on penalty of death. The
Farmers article of last week stirred up
the whole difficulty afresh and was fol-
lowed by another, this week. While
making no definite charges that could be
sustained in court of law, insinuations
and slurs were freely employed to be-
smirch the character of Mr. Stuart's wife
and Albert E. Coles, who is employed by
Mr. Stuart and boards in his family. Here
is just where the BEE takes issue with
the Farmer and other outside papers
which bedaub Newtown's fair name
by dragging their muck rake through
such filth as any community can furnish.
The BEE has known more or less of these
letters from the start and the BEES read
ers can rest assured that, once this das.
tardly business is Enthusiastically traced
they will have as full and accurate ar
account of the assassin and his work as
can be secured, no matter where the
lightning strikes. But as for dealing il
slurs, filings and popular impressions
that is gossip, not news; the BEE is 9
newspaper, not gossip monger. Cir
cumstantial evidence and popular inn
pressions are often right; also, quite of
ten wrong. Facts, not gossip, are what
will uncover this villainy without cavil
Mr. Ronalds, we can say on good author
, ity, had stated substantially what thu
Farmer put into his mouth, before thai
publication. Yet what the BEE stated
last week, was stated on authority an6
there are witnesses to prove it. Mr. Ro
maids said, this week Wednesday, tina
Mr. Stuart was good man, but he wa
sick and not what he was a year ago
He blamed Mr. Stuart for taking tn,
horses as he did. Whatever Of futur
s developments may be in store, there j
universal sympathy with Mr. Stuart
whose health is shattered and who feel
9 these attacks on his family keenly. Hi
q honesty ard integrity of purpose are fel
to be above repr0ach.