The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-02-12
WILLOUGHBY REPLIES.
"OLD VILLIANY" HAS AT LAST
CAUGHT HIS BREATH

"OLD VILLlANY" HAS AL LAS1
CAUGHT HIS BREATH
And Attempts to Pose as a Decent
Man. He Must First Wash His
Hands of the Blood of the
Bull and Then Ask For
giveness for His
Other Trans
gressions.
The letter Of Appelt is that of J. l..
McLaurin sneeking to destroy the
Reform movement. He puts some
one before him to attack those who
endeavor to expose his treachery.
''The voice is that of Jacob; but the
hand is that of Esau."
The letters of AIcLaurin published
in your issue of the 3rd inst. prove
beyond peradventure the falsity OF
the charges as to the McBee railroad
pass, the post Office matter and the
pulling of McLaurin's leg for money.
I am not surprised that McLaurin
should endeavor to repudiate, through
his henchman, the intimacy between
him and NJ. c. Butler, as it is now OF
disadvantage to him; but, unfortu-
nately, "the accursed spot will not
out!!''
Appel says McLaurin refused to
consider my name for the postotice
here, for the reason that I had been
a resident for short time-and in
the same breath says McLaurin went
to Florence and offered the place to
me, if I would get up petition
Again, he says that McLaurin wrote
me that it would be useless to recon-
mend me for the Office, as my attack
on Butler in the Ben Perry letter
would cause Butler to oppose me-
Well, McLaurin stated to his friends
here, that he could not get his ap.
pointments made without the assis-
tance of Butler, as Irby was always
drunk, and pointed out Strait and
Latimer as examples of those trying
to work without Buffers help. He
said ne was only using Butler for his
purposes.
Applet was appointed post
master-did he pledge himself to
support Butler If it was necessary
that I should? What about all the
other appointments that McLaurin
got? That Perry letter vindicates
me, but what can be said by the ac-
tual appointees? I may have men
toned Buffers name in a letter to
McLaurin, but when Appelt attempts
to imply that would support Butler
for his influence, he lies. He over
looks the Perry letter, when an Office
more lucrative WAS offered me and I
rejected it with scorn and Indignation.
I only allude to the contradictory
statements of this man Appelt to
show that he falls short of the quail
fcation of "good liar" as contained
in his quoted maxim, in that his
memory is deficient In other re-
spects I yield the point without con-
troversy.
1 could name several others of Nc
Laurin's friends who travelled to
Washington upon McBee passes if
desired.
After I learned that McLaurin had
pledged himself to McCown, I sup
ported McCown. After McLaurin
reported that McCown was ineligible,
l supported Mckenzie, and it was on
ly after Nc Laurin was offering the
Office to others that I agreed to ac-
cept it. And any charge that was
false to either McCown or McKenzie
is without foundation. I never ap-
preached Butler on the subject. of
Office.
AS to the telegram quoted, I &C.
knowledge sending it in my friend
ship for the man. The letter to "My
dear Applet" was so ingeniously
drawn l overlooked the SANDER it
contained. But when I went to
Washington and saw the double
dealings OF the man, then I had llore
light upon the subject.
AS to the parading OF presents, all
that or my family have gotten from
McLaurip would not have paid his
board if it had been charged. This
matter I regret to have to allude to.
AS to the motion for change of
venue in railroad suit in Williams
burg county, I had beer 10th robbed
and outraged Ly that company to
start with. Ard when it is known
that the case has been pending trial
Tor about 10 years, think the public
will agree with me that I had been
patient il not moving for change OF
venue before I did. This corporation,
to prevent me from constructing Il
road adverse to its interests, took adj
vantage of my absence from bone
and destroyed my business under the
preteuse that owed rent Oh some
rails-which, in fact, 1 did not owe
aud had overpaid $47S, which I at.
terwards collected by law. Nor did
I ever hear an insinuation against my
personal character until attacked by
this giant corporation. I am scarcely
two hours ride from my nativity.
There is nothing regarding my CHAR
acter that I can't and don't point to
with pride.
Az to the blackguardism and want
of refinement in Appelt's letter, I can't
reply-I am at disadvantage. My
raising and associations unfit me to