The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-02
1t;op 1 of the Act creating this Commis-


80 .b;s NV answer to each charge in
III. order as given in your letter. 1t is
drawn bv myself, and possibly free from
tho elegant diction which Il lawyer
would have impaired but feel sure II
will carry conviction TO an lhipar'i'i
mind.
First-It is not true as alleged that
am "the Joint owner with Col. "A. II.
Andrews, Nice-President of the souohern
Railway and general political manager OF
the same for North Carolina in certain
piece of hotel property known as Round
Knob
| Second-It is not true that said hotel
lis worthless for that purpose except when
designated and patronized by the South
ern Railroad Company as an eating
house for their passenger trains.
| Third-It is not true that said hotel
property has been unoccupied and I'M
used for any purpose for several years
past and brought in no revenue to me as
one of it's owners
Fourth-lt is not true "tnat II was M
possible to use, lease or rent said property
unless some understanding, agreement
or contract could be made with the
Southern Railroad Company to designate
and patronize the said hotel rs II railroad
eating house"
Fifth-It is not true as alleged that
with the other owner or owners OF said
property have secured an agreement, un-
Iderstanding or contract from the South
ern Railroad Company to abandon other
eating houses and designate Round Knob
as an eating house, and by virtue of
said arrangements with said railroad
that l have been able to lease said hotel
property to Ohio Wilson. or his mother
through the said Wilson for profit"
SiXth-It is untrue as further alleged
that l have a son i'm the employment OF
| the Southern Railroad Company at my
request and that he was appointed over
others entitled to the place 10y promo
ton under the practice of the company
and this was done for my accommodation
and at my request" l hereby denounce
| these allegations as made to you by
many persons" as false, and demand the
proof
In explanation | will state that about
1881, Col. Andrews and myself built
this hotel at cost of about $4,000. 1t
is not worthless as stated but is a most
convenient and beautiful hotel with 80
rooms, closets and baths on each floor;
and was leased and run as hotel for
several years with no meals supplied
to passengers. The property had not
been unoccupied for years as charged
but on the contrary was leased up to
last year at an annual rental of $500 per
annum to responsible party, with no
understanding of any kind with the
Southern Railroad Company.
| In casual conversation with Mr.. Ohio
Wilson, my recollection is that / spoke of
this very desirable property which was
then vacant, the lease Of Friscard and
Company, having expired. and saying
that the superintendent of the road had
sent me word if some one would open
and keep a good house. he would make
it a dinner house: the hotel at Hickory
was then closed and my impression is
that Asheville was not then a regular
eating house, but of this l am not sure.
Mr.. Wilson remarked that his mother
was looking around for boarding house
and possibly this might suit her and he
would go up and examine the property;
this he did; on his return expressed him.
lself as greatly pleased but said the former
lessees had left the property in bad con-
dition and very dirty. / was aware of
this and replied that on this account if
his mother would put the place in good
repair she could have it the first year
free Of rent--this much for the profit
as charged; the message to me about the
eating house was not intended for Mr..
Ohio Wilson or his mother, but was
sent before Mr.. Wilson or his mother
ever thought of it and intended for any
person could get who would keep a first
class table. The management Of the
property was left entirely to me and my
recollection is that never mentioned the
matter to Col. Andrews until the trade
was consummated through Mr.. Ohio Will
son for his mother.
The land upon which the Round Knob
property was located, belonged to John
Malone, Col. Crockford and myself. This
party owed debt of about $1,000 to
II. III. Brown, of Mcdowell county |
was the only one of the party now living
and was alone responsible for the debt
For the hotel itself / paid $4,000. Col.
Andrews, $4,000, Col. Andrews interest
being about one-fourth Of the hotel with
about 10 acres of land adjoining. Before
the receipt of your letter 1 had no idea
that any man in North Carolina seriously
considered that my owning a piece Of
property Jointly with COL Andrews, and
held by us jointly since 1881, and now
rented by widow, which being in addi-
ton to a summer resort was dinner
house for the passenger trains of the
Southern Railroad, would ever in any
way be so construed as to make me in
any form under obligations to the South
ern Railroad. Finding however by your
letter that there were parties who be-
lieved or pretended to believe that this
was indirectly violation of the Act,
promptly under advice of friends to
avoid "even the appearance of evil''
decided my undivided interest in the prop
erty TO II. M. Brown, for his claim about
$4,000, about the value at the present
depreciation of property. This was done
agreeable to section 1 of the Act to
avoid any criticism, by even the cap
tious, as to my conduct as Railroad
Commissioner, and now have no interest
whatever direct or indirect in tho nron