The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-10-24
RUpLoNe ExoNERArEn


An AttemDt to Villify Him Nipped-He
Is Good Man Competent to Fill ANY
OIhce In the Country Testimony Of an
50 Year Old Witness The Colonel is
Sound.
The campaign liar is not a disider-
alum in Caldwell as the following will
indicate. Some time ago an enterpris-
Ing. gentleman, resident here, thought
ne could advance the interests of the
Peoples Democratic party by oirculat-
ing statements damaging to the moral
character of Col. Budlong Republican
candidate for Governor. His story was
10 the effect that he knew Col. Budlone
In Missouri, and that he was a regular
Old libertine; that his conduct became
VIGOROUSLY depraved and indecent, and
finally that he ran away from his wife
and left her desolate and heartbroken.
We leave out the details and embellish-
ments, remarking only that they were
minute and gorgeo us. TIE TRIBUNE
accidentally learned that William Cupp.
ST., had also known Col. Budlong in
Missouri, so representative of the pa
per called on Mr. Cupp for the purpose
of investigation. Mr.. Cupp is a resi-
dent of this city and is SO years old. He
is the father of William Cupp, the
sheepman, and Charles Cupp, all of
Caldwell. The senior Cupp was found
at his home and asked if he knew Col.
Budlong. lie replied he knew him
well. lie was then asked if he knew
anything particularly bad OF him, he
said he did not. Then he made the
following statement: 81 have heard of
the Islander against Col Budl0ng that
is b-lng circulated aud know who
s, arted it. am ashamed of it; it's a
lie. tiVsU met Col Budlong in Garth
age, Missouri, in 1889. He was then a
Methodist preacher and very well off;
he was rich He bought cheap mineral
lands which afterwards became valu-
able, when hr sold out for a large sum
He was the first man | met and shook
hands with In Carthage. He was after.
wards United States Revenue col
lector. His wife took to sgiritualism
first and then she went over to the free
lovers. Col. Budlong protested against
her course and tried to persuade her to
lead different life, but could not
prevail on her to do so. Finally
he could stand it no longer and
they agreed to separate. They were
divorced. Col. BudlOng gave the great
er portion of his property to his d.
YOrced wife. He gave her fortune.
tell you Col. BudlOng is a good man;
he is an honorable man and competent
to fill any Office in the country. | am
glad the Republicans nominated him
for governor and | only wish we could
elect him." Here the old gentleman,
by way of emphasis, slapped THE
TRIBUNE man on the knee and contin-
ued: 81 tell you that he is a good man.
| know all about him. | didn't know
he was in Idaho. though, until L heard
OF Ills uUulludGlOtl. WdllG W lhSCJ
brother BudlOng and shake hands with
him once more and l want to vote for
him. | am sorry about this contempt
BILE scandal and | am ashamed of it.
Now | will tell you, my son Charley
wrote letter to my son in Carthage
and has just recently received an an
swer, and the man who started these
lies about Col. BudlOpg will
probably see that letter. You
should see my sons here, they
can tell you that there isn't bit
of truth In the story. Brother BudloDg
is a good, honest, kindhearted man,
and ought to be our next governor. |
want to tell you again | am ashamed
of that story and ! will tell you why"
1t is not necessary to give Mr.. Cupp,s
reasons for being so much, ashamed.
Locally, the reasons are we'll known, and
to the people at large they would be of
no interest. 1t strikes us that THE
TRIBUNE is relieved from all necessity
of endorsing the Republican candidate
for governor He ought TO be we'll sup
ported in this countY if for no other
purpose than to administer sound re.
buke to the campaign liar. Col. Bud
is all right.