The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-25
TCOMAfUNICATED.1

JEsUP, GA, March %. Editor Morn
ing Nelcs: In your issue OF March 10 ap-
pesred an article under the heading of "a
Plot TO Burn Hotel-Jesup's Postmaster
and Another Man Arrested 1 am post
master at Jesup, Ca, and in justice 10 my
self would ask space in your paper to make
the following statement: In January, 1889,
l bought Of John Massey of this place a
hotel. known then as the Commercial hotel
l changed the name TO that of Hotel st.
Paul. The consideration in this trade was
$5,000-S2, 900 cash, and $1,000 each year
for three years, at s per cent. interest, with
the contract that / was to keep the prop
erty insured in the amount Of 5000, or
Of John Massey. / kept up the
$4,000 in his name until the
the plot or: kindling material was found
under the hotel on March IA Knowing
that | had some enemies, but at the same
time not realizing the extent of the
dastardly crime, | agreed at the suggestion
of Rev. Louis Price and Mrs. Sidney 8.
Collins, who are tenants of my hotel. that
the discovery be kept until morning. So
tired thinking thar the guard was all that
was required that night, as we had en-
ployed the hotel clerk, Mr..
R B. Slater, to guard that
part Of the premises until further consulta-
ton. Later, about 1880 O'Clock, was
aroused by the insurance agent saying that
he had come to cancel tn insurance on the
hotel, and not being acquainted with the
rules in regard to the law in that particular
case Of risks, surrendered the policies
retired again for the night and was kept so
busy Sunday morning that / did not have
time to hunt up and consult Mr.. Massey in
regard to the discovery. After closing the
office for the day, about II o'clock, learned
that there was threats against me
that [ was accused Of the attempt, etc. all
arrived at by the false statement of some
parties that l had 1000 insurance on the
property, all of which / am prepared to
prove was false, have not, nor never have
had, any insurance on this or any other
building in my own nams in my life. So
about II o'clock on Sunday was arrested,
and also a young man named Sarvis.
By the kindness Of the sheriff or
the weakness of the warrant we-Sarvis
and my. elf-were allowed to remain at
our own homes, but under guard, for five
days and nights, without being allowed tn
give bail or being arraigned. All sorts of
rumors were atloat as to lynching, and still
we claim to "be living in an enlightened
age, with good laws and free govern
ment." did not understand this singular
treatment until ! learned of some of my
pretended friends in q quiet way that it was
all for the purpose of getting me to give up
the postoffice and leave. was advised to do
so as was likely to be lynched at any
moment. Now l began to understand there
was a conspiracy in the whole affair / don't
believe the party or parties intended to burn
me out, think that they intended to scare
me aud enrage a bloodthirsty class Of the
citizens against me, and enough blame
would be attached to me 30 get me out and
and thew would get in. have been offered
indirectly brides to get me into trouble in
regard to the postofice matters. ! have
also sworn evidence Of brides offered
another party to swear against
me- 1t confirms the conspiracy in
my judgment from the course that has
been pursued 1 was kept under guard
nearly a whole week. Between forty and
fifty witnesses were before an intelligent
body of grand jurYmen, and l could not be
proven the guilty party. So it was dropped
no more interest was taken in the matter,
showing the failure of the conspirators in
my judgment. Notwithstanding my inno-
cence has been proven, have been told that
it was the opinion OF all that l had better
sell out and leave. To all those | would
have this TO say. l have been reared in
this state. | was a hard working
boy, and l expect to leave 1t only when
my business, in my Judgment, will
be more profitable 70 me to do so.
As to all of the slanderous reports, l may
never be able to reply to them, but time
will prove what they are. There are some
that 1 expect to call to account for their
cowardly attacks upon my character, but
in the right way, and in due time. The
conspiracy above referred to is in reference
to my holding of the postoffice. AS to the
| guilt of the young man who was arrested,
know nothing against him; nothing was
proven against him in this matter. To tie
public have this to say: When get to
be such fool as to burn up all have and
! get nothing for it-say nothing of the
danger Of lives-I want my friends, if
have any, to send me TO the Iunatic asylum.
p. D. B. STANsELL.