Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-29

s SATURDAY. AUGU,
lish a retraction or correction of said
libels. CLAUDIUs B. KINYoN.
Privilege of = Statement Accorded.
In response to this D.. Kinyon
was advised the same day that the
communication had been referred to
Mr.. Potter, who was out of the city.
A few days later Mr.. Potter wrote
that he would give the matter atten-
tion on his return home short time
after. but that in the meantime he
desired pursued the customary
course in all cases of grievances.
Accordingly the following letter was
written to DR.. Kinyon:
Rock ISLAND. III. Aug. 11.-Dr.
c. B. kinyon, City. Dear Sir: Re-
ferring to your formal communica-
ton of Aug. 8. Mr.. Potter writes
that he would prefer to consider the
matter when he returns home. How
ever. l may state that the columns of
The ARGUS will be at your disposal to
make defense either by communi-
cation or through an interview.
While you will admit that it is
somewhat late to revive this subject,
yet THE ARGUS will be pleased to
extend the privilege referred to. If
you desire an interview, we will &C.
cord it to you at any time you may
suggest by sending representative
to your house.
Awaiting your pleasure, l am re-
spectfully yours. H. p. SIMPSON.
City Editor.
Asked to ParticuIsrize.
A copy of the original notification
was forwarded to Delavan Lake,
where MIR. Potter was seeking rest
and recuperation. and on his return
10 the city he had not reached his
place of business when Deputy Sher-
if Hull. who had been flourishing a
third copy of the document around
town, served it on him. The follow
ing day MIR. Potter wrote DR.. Kinyon
the following letter:
Rock ISLAND. Ill. Aug. 20.-Dr. c.
b. Kinyon, City. Dear Sir: beg to
acknowledge receipt of your formal
communication of a recent date
wherein you ask for a correction or
retraction of certain articles printed
in The ARGUS some six months ago
concerning the death of Walter 5.
Barrett, whom you attended pro-
| fessionally. You state that the
articles are libels and upon you
and that they are false and untrue.
have to say that upon the occur
renee of the unfortunate case referred
to, and during the subsequent refer
erence to the same, an earnest endea-
| vor was made to eliminate anything
which might reflect upon your pro-
fessional reputation or accentuate
the grief of the deceased's relatives
over his untimely demise.
The duty which a newspaper owes
its readers alone impelled us to pub
lish the facts as they developed.
First the supposed genuine request
OF Mrs. Barrett for a post mortem,
supplemented by an acknowledge
ment from her sister that she had
used Mrs. Barrett's name unathorita-
lively.
Then the fact that we urged the
exhuming of the body, not alone in
the hope of assuaging the feelings
and fears of the bereaved widow, but
in justice to you, should indicate
that it was the intention of The AR
GUS to be fair and impartial.
The Barrett case was handled with
the same caution as other matters OF
a sensational character, and in q
fresh perusal of the articles in ques-
ton l fail to find wherein you have
been ibeled, or where any false
statements occur, and I would be
pleased to have YOU particularize
your objections to the same.
believe you have already been
accorded the privilege Of using the
columns of the THE ARGUS for the
purpose Of making any statement
you may care to regarding your con-
nection with this case, and / would
be pleased to have you accept the
same in good faith. if you still feel
agg'ieved. Respectfully.
j. w. POTTER.
Preferred to Fight.
Bot Mr.. Potter's communication
was ignored. The next heard of DIR.
Claudius b. Kinyon was the filing Of
the suit yesterday. The ARGUS has
given the facts as above. not in de-
Tense Of itself, for that it will do to
the fullest extent when the time
comes and where DR.. Kin on pre-.
fers to have it made, but in the dis
charge of the sama obligation to the
public that led it to the publication
of the news which has at this late
day been taken exception to.