The Green Forest tribune., 1896-07-09
An Open Letter

election is over and I am defeated
gloriously, to which l bow sub
missively.
am aware of the fact that the
bosses did not say for me to run.
[ guess | did wrong in not obeying
them, or they think so at least.
However, I am thoroughly sat
isfed that my making the race will
cause things to be brought to light
finally that would have slept long
ii [ had not made the race.
1t would not seem in the proper
order for me to explain all now,
but sometime in the future [ will,
If found necessary. However, [
will state TO the public now that
any and all charges made by me
are true and | am ready to sub
stantiate them at any time, and I
challenge any one who denies the
truthfulness Of them to meet me
and even try to prove to the con-
trary. I aim in the future to show
to the public the justice and truth
tuln-.ss Of my charges [ would not
say anything about this at this
time but [ only want to warn those
who denounced me as a liar and a
fraud that l aim to bring that mat
ter all to light and then the public
will see that [ have under-stated
the facts instead OF over.stating
them. The truth must prevail.
| received small vote but am glad
to say it was cast by as good peo
pie as the sun ever shone upon.
Those who voted tor mo 1 desire
to thank for their support, and to
those who voted against me I hold
no malice. I made the race on
pure and honest motives. [ used
no dishonest means in any way
to secure votes. | had no money
TO hire hacts to haul out men in
Eureka Springs to vote for me, but
with all this against me | received
one vote in the great city. I guess
he walked and went dry. [ want
TO learn who he is. l am for him
tor any thing, tor know that he
has the "gzzard" or he could not
have faced what he did there on
that awful day and stayed with his
honest convictions.
now retire to private life again,
and | will endeavor to make as
good a citizen as I am able to
make, ever having an eye single to
the enforcement Of the law and to
the interests fyood morals and
good government.
[ am aware of the fact that I
have never been perfect man, but
l have always triod to be honest,
truthful and public in all my acts
in everything l have done, never
hiding anything.
When | was in Office / tried to
do my duty, as l saw the right,
regardless of any man or set OF
men. l have been told bya great
many people in this county (and
have received great many COM
pliments outside of the county,
that I had made the best sheriff
you had ever had. Whether this
is true | arn unable to say. II ii
is true the vote OF the people shows
that they don't indorse that kind
Of an officer. We will just say
that the people baye been "bun-
tuzzled" or I have one.
suppose you will allow me to
remain in the country and Stay
along with the tail OF of the Demo-
cratic party anyway, and allow me
to vote when and how the bosses
say for me to; and l hope you
will forgive all my wrong .doings
and short comlngs, and | promise
to be u better man than l ever
have been. suppose you will
allow me to reform and do better
not quit kicking him because be
is little under the weather.
Don't get to thinking | am dis
couraged, for / am not. will be
all right some time again. l am
not dead yet, but am crippled
somewhat, as mule kicked me
on the shin on Tuesday after the
Primary and broke bone, so |
have been laid up every since OF
would have written this sooner.
l will say tha, | am for Silver
Dick Bland, for President, II my
friend in Eereka Springs don't run,
for | never have been charged OF