The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-15
A PATERNAL WORD.
MIR. vauehsn's Side OF the Recent sad
Scene Explained

| To the Editor of the Standard:
In your issue of the 18th inst. appeared
an article under the caption OF Disgrace
full Scene" which / conceive has done me
a grave injustice. hence, by your per-
mission. will ask that the same pub
licity be given my answer as was &C
corded the article in question. 1t is, in
deed. humiliating enough to me to know
that jar in our family circle exists
without further parading 1t before the
public through the wide circulation of
your paper. am. and have been for
years,a subscriber to the Standard, and
have always given it credit for fair deal
ing under any circumstances. Therefore.
1 indict this rejoinder to THE Cruel Pro-
testations Of Father" believing that IL
will set to rights an overdrawn picture of
the "Disgraceful Scene you were pleased
to head the dispatch from Deer Lodge of
date mentioned. Now, as to facts:
MY child. as stated, Is years of age,
was stricken with paralysis about four
months ago. DR.. c. G. Glass, our family
physician, was at once summoned to his
bedside. and after a thorough examina-
ton, informed me that the stroke was ia
tai, and that he might linger for months
IN MS present condition, or that he might
ole at any time. Yet he prescribed regu-
larry with view to allay any pain or
suffering. At the inception of the illness
ters," advising them of the matter and
invited them to visit us. But no response
came from them, Notwithstanding a good
and responsible citizen of Deer Lodge
pronered them a nice team to drive the
four miles from the city to the home of
the distressed. Four months passed. and
not an appearance put in by the two
daughters," who now pose before the
public as injured innocence" All this
trying time my attention, together with
that of my good wife and those of the
FAMILY able to assist was solely devoted
to the care of the little patient Death
finally came to his relief and every prem
arauon necessary was made for the fu-
neral; nothing was stinted all that fond
parents could do was cheerfully done
But, alas! on reaching the grave with
out thinking of anything harsh. and with
hearts full of grief and sadness, what
should transpire? THE two daughters"
who had been invited to come and see
the child from the very beginning of the
sickness, and now, after it's death, in or
der to create a scene at the grave. de-
manded that the coffin be opened that
they might look upon their dead BROTH
er. The undertaken came to my car
rage and asked If IL should be done. and
L replied, no. He returned to the grave
when got out of the carriage and start
ed toward IL, when / was caught and
held back, not knowing really what was
going on. Through loss of sleep and trou-
PIE incident to serious illness in the fam
lily, 1 virtually was beside myself. and
knowing the heartlessness djsplaved nv
the two daughters" all through the
FEARFUL ordeal l had just passed. prompt
cd me on the spur of the moment TO saw
NO, don't open the coffin" Had thew
wanted to see their dead brother. why
old they not avail themselves of the OPP
portunities offered before the little body
LETT its parental home? And whv ala
they not tender their good0ofices during
the long suffering of their little brother
when invited to do so?
AND as to that 'cruel" and ''enraged
parent" let me say. not with n view Of
claiming credit for what a father owes 10
MS children, that living four miles from
the pubic school at Deer Lodge, too far
for my children to attend I huilt
of my own and maintatnad
II at my own expense that my children
should enjoy at least the rudiments of an
education. And at this very mo-
ment Miss Maggie Wilson is now nrivate-
" employed to instruct my children. Yet
! pay school taxes regularly to the Deer
Looge district without a murmur. as can |
DC attested by all old residents of tbis
valley Yea, and more, I have paid for |
regular buttons in music at the Sisters, |
academy, that these two daughters |
might be the more accomplished and bet |
Ter able to do well in life All these kind |
y things go to prove that John Vaughn
me rather, is not the cruel and relent- |
ess man That your correspondent would |
nave him appear.
TO show that this is not of my own
my wife and elder daughters
II home join in attesting to its correct-
less. whatever else may be said to the
Notwithstanding.
John F. Vaughn,
Mrs. John f. Vaughn.
Agnes Vaughn,
Maggie Vaughn.
Deer Lodge Valley April l2 1909