Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1892-03-10
HUGHES VS.. swRErLANp.
Letter from Illinois which Proves
the Gazette Slightly of

Ne. The PRESS is in receipt Of letter from
Judge Hughes former home in Illinois.
ocarng upon the malicious articles that
havs recently appeared in the Mil ell
0azette-which, any one can see by care
WI examination, were but cunnin CIV
1orded intimations and lnsinuations.
The letter Is from Mr.. Frank Blackman.
lUho is well known here, as he owns sew.
teAi farms in Hand county, aud is a
orother Of our first county treasurer, Z.
!. Blsckman. Here is the letter:
M ROCHELLE. Ill. March 4. 1892
Ed. PREss:-I read the hydra headed
md famous article in the Miller Gazette,
I - the 5th ult. with ~. A. Hughes again
- the top, 1t was great surprise to me
vosee how an editor or any one else could
I've in the slams of degradation and
sehood. for q little political pelf
U>ame on the dishonest individual
At resorts to such nefarious means Of
Mpport. l first became acquainted with
0nptaIn John A. HUGHES in 1853, when he
US farmer near cur city. He was after
ongaged In merchandise in Rochelle and
wos in 1853 elected sheriff OF 0gie county
Amer the expiration of his term Of Office
ho raised volunteer company, and was
unanimously elected captain of the same,
bosng Company III" of 46 Illinois Vol
unteers.
Soon after he came from the war, he
loved TO Boone county. Iowa, and was, l
Mink employed several years in the state
oervice. was intimately acquainted
With Captain John A. Hughes during all
The years of his sojourn here, and I never
heard a word or hint against his moral
character. He was regarded here as a
genial. whole scaled gentleman, and was
yerv popular in our city and county. II
he ever had an enemy here l never heard
Of him. Should the Captain come back
here, have every reason to believe he
would receive a warm and cordial greet.
tpe by his numerous friends. The 'Syca-
more letter" is composed Of one solid
mass OF black hearted ''hear say" lies. A
fAbrication out of whole cloth. John A.
Hughes never owned ware house in our
city. Neither did he.ever while here buy
and sell grain. II he had any pecuniary
Interest in the great grain house conhi-
grafton here have never heard it men
toned.
The trial OF T. u. Burk was held in q
hall in third story of u brick block. A
great crowd Of people was present to hear
the evidence, which appeared complete
And full against the criminal. The court
adjourned at noon, and Sheriff HI ghes
len the prisoner in care of deputy and
cengeable, and went 10 dinner. The eyi
dance was apparently SO positive that the
1xe0fement became most intense. At
thig juncture of desperation young law
y&With the native eloluence of Pat
riek Henry mounted the rostrom. and at
The end OF a most thrilling speech cried
ont s'hang the infamous wretch y In this
frenxied moment and amid the surgin z
and excited crowd T. d. Burk WAS pushed
out of three story window with rope
aSound his neck. Now as much as we
may b. attached to law and order such
deplorable scenes of violence will some
timss occur in the best communities, But
Oaptain Hughes had no more completely
in NE hanging Of T. d. Burk than the
editor OF the Gazette. No right minded
man here who knew all the circumstances
Of NE case ever cast censure upon him.
The editor Of the Gazette better throw
hts hogwash on some one else. His vic
ious attack on Capt, Hughes is like mos
quito lighting on the back of an elephant.
+. BLACKMAN.