The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-21
MAI. BLANDFoRD'S RETURN.
HE BRINGS LETTERS AND AFFIDA-
WITS FROM AUSTIN.


He Is RecOncIIed With His Family
and Has Proof in support of His
Statements Concerning His Arrest
i'm Texas-what He Says About His
Visit to Austin.
Maj. r. A Blandford. county engi-
neer, returned from Austin, Tex, yester-
day. His appearance is not changed at
all from the severe strain which he has
undergone. and Il anything. he is looking
better than when he left the city. He is
in good spirits. and expressed entire salts
faction with the results Of his visit to
Austin.
Maj. Blandford, as is well known, went
to Austin after an Investigation made by
Chairman Dale Of the county commission
ers as to his record there, for the purpose
Of Strengthening matters up and removing
the cloud that hung over his career.
He returned with afidavits and letters
to substantiate his statements with re-
gard to the facts in the case, and he said
last night that he had arranged 70 secure
other afiidavits, which will cover the en-
tire proceeding, including the visit to Aus
TIN by Chairman Dale.
Il have learned" Maj. Blandford said
that Mr.. Dale was told by some one here,
DO not know whom, to inquire about me
FORMED and was referred to some CONNER
cial agency, whose report he secured, and
aIter some further correspondence went
70 austin 10 gather what further infOrma-
tlon he could secure. though 1 understand
ne stated at the time he was going to
dhomasyihe and to some Florida points.
lie went TO the American National Bank
on MS arrival at Austin and made some
inquiries of Vice President Houghton."
Maj; Blandford exhibited a letter from
Mr.. Houghton to himself. saying that he
had told Mr., Dale that he was very much
surprised when Maj Blandford left Aus
TIN, that he did not believe the authorities
wanted him, and he did not think the in
dlctment would hold II he were brought
pack: Mr.. Houghton said he also told
MT Dale that in his opinion the further
ne investigated the matter the better it
would be for Mai. BlandfOrd as his char
acter up to the date of his leaving had
never been questioned, and the indict-
Inent alone was the only reflection that
had ever been heard Of Mr. Dale he said
seemed to be laboring under great re-
sponsibility, and though he did not ques-
ton Maj Blandford's ability he seemed
TO lay great stress on the report of the
indictments which Mr.. Houghton said
ne informed him would hardly bear in
Vesugation.
Mr. Dale wanted me taken back to
Texas Maj Blandford said, land from
what l could learn it was a part of his
plan to have an officer come from Aus
ton for me. He was told so / was in
formed, that the state would not want
10 pay an officers expenses for MAX
MS VIC mp, diteI Whlch ne went so Tar
the officers expenses so as to
have me taken back As
result of this affair l have been recon
ciled TO my family and friends, but so far
as my family Is concerned, l am not
prepared to say what my future arrange
ments viii be, as l had so little time in
which TO determine as to what was best to
be done"
Maj. Blandford. who was secretary of
the Austin Home Building and Loan Asso-
cation, was charged with embeZziing
about 5000. there being two indictments,
ana another indictment charged him with
cheating and swindling the firm of James
II. Raymond & Co. out of 800 Mai Bland
ford has statement from a member of
this latter firm to the effect that no such
ment was sauashed After an investiga-
ton, the other two indictments were dis
missed, and Maj. Blandford has with him
an official statement from Clerk j. p.
that the indictments were uuashed and
dismissed and that there are now no pros
ecuuons pending against him.
One of the strongest documents In Mai.
Blandfords possession is a letter from
Hon. f. G. Morris, Judge of the district
court Judge Morris, who Was formerly
attorney for Mai. Biandford. was dis
qualified when the cases came uD. and
Judge II. E. Brooks presided This letter.
however, state that after careful exam
nation of Mai. Blandford's books as sec
rotary, they were found in good condition,
and that any such discrepancies between
the statement OF the books and the cash
on hand that might have existed, was of
such nature as to preclude any idea of
dishonesty in connection with 1t. The
tenor of the letter was that there was no
foundation whatever for the charges.
Maj. Blandfords friends were glad to
see him back in Savannah and he was
generally congratulated by all who knew
him with whom he came in contact on the
outcome of the affair.