The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-05-30

The public are aware that for months
I have been attacked, directly and by
inuendo, through the columns OF the
Semi Weekly Republican and the Tri
County Neecs. My private character has
been maligned and my honor aspersed,
regardless of my feelings, or the feelings
of my invalid wife.
1 have borne these unjust assaults in
silence, hoping that, when exonerating
evidence should be produced, my accus-
ers would manfully acknowledge their
error, and endeavor to undo the cruel
wrong. After many efforts and long
search for the only proofs obtainable,
have, at last, secured them. They are
on file, and the parties who have 80 re.
lentlessly persued me have been advised
of the existence OF these sworn affidsvits,
and have been invited to examine them.
This, they refuse to do, and announce
their purpose of continuing relentless
and savage persecution, regardless OF all
evidence. Under these circumstances,
I feel justified in asking hearing.
do not now deny, and never have
denied that, in the past, was dissipated,
and that 1 did things personally and po'
litically which l should not have done.
For this was criticised by all the Re.
publican newspapers OF this county.
The NEws-HERALD, among the balance,
was very severe in its stricures. But,
since l have been trying to live better
life, thankfully appreciate the fact that
the NEws-HERALD has to some extent
endeavored to:shield me from the un-
deserved aspersions of my personal
enemies. All this time, as suggested, /
have not returned evil for evil. I have
had a respectful consideration for the
innocent family connections OF those
who we're utterly void Of auy regard for
my family connections. But, the time
has come when, after they have abso.
lutely refused to consider affidavits en-
tirely exonerating me, and other aft.
davits bearing upon the subject, they
are still pursuing and defaming
me. 1 say the time has come, in my
opinion, when,I should speak in my
own defence.
In the first place, 1 brand as most
infamous lie, their accusations, pri1 ately
circulated and publicly intimated, that
I have been guilty of improper relations
with Mrs. Wickersham. And, further,
demand the production of the proofs.
Failing this, Iassert without qualification
or ecquivocation, that they stand brand.
ed before the public as self convicted
liars, foul-mouth blackmailers and con-
spirators Of evil, void of every scintilla
of honor and manhood. If you, H. s.
Fullerton, Aylette Fullerton, Frank
Wickersham, or either of you, have a
single instinct of manhood left in your
souls, you will not hesitate to produce
your authority for the derogatOry reports
concerning me, to which you have given
currency, so that may be able to right
these gross and damnable charges. If
after this fair demand, you refuse Il
give me an opportunity to face my &C
cusers, I shall believe, and so will al
honorably-minded citizens, that you
object is only a foul, cruel, unfounde'
persecution, and that you. are trio o
unprincipled black mailers, whose pur
= pose is not to obtain the truth, but +
profit by your deep laid conspiracy.
will say further. that if you are deterre
by money consideration from partie
who have hired you to engage in thi
dirty work, l have q few friends VIII
will see that you lose nothing financially
by now adopting an honorable course.
That those relentless and never-ceaa
ing assaults may have been urged b
some scoundrel who hides in the darl
ID not violent assumption. 1t is pater
to me and to the trio referred to, that
have never given either of them th
slightest cause for personal offsnse, an
now challenge them, or either {
them, to refer to any occasion upo
which have not treated them with tn
kindness and consideration due froI
one gentleman to another. They hav
papers at their command, but they hav
never done me the courtesy, to NAL
inquiry concerning the truth OF an!
thing they have published against M
And. now, that have sworn evidene