The age-herald., 1899-11-15
MIR. PINCKARD MAKES A
 STATEMENT OF FACTS

When seen last night about the Reynolds statement Mr. W. P. Pmckard was asked | if he had anything to say in reply to that | part of the interview referring to him. He stated first, that he had no interest what soeyer in the option on the Montevallo school lands, and has never had an option or interest in the same.
 Secondly, that the only relation he ever had in the matter was simply to entertain a suggestion from the school commission CTS to examine the public lands available for entry under the act at his own expense and by his own experts, looking to the pur- chase of the lands at the price of S5 per acre. This was an expression of a general opinion of their value without previous ex animation, and after reflection at a later date I declined to go on and take the op ton as a purchaser at this price and to have the examination made. Since that time have known nothing whatever of the selection of the lands by the commission CTS, and do not know what disposition has been made of the lands selected.
 Thirdly as to the reference to his son, w. B. Reynolds, made by Clay Reynolds, l have to say that for several months past l have been in New York city on private bus mess, and have not in the meantime seen the publication over Governor Johns ton s signature, in which he Is alleged to have used my name in connection with his con- troyersy with H. Clay Reynolds, and such use of my name was without my permis- sion; and whatsoever may have passed be- tween Governor Johnston and myself was in a private conversation; but since Mr. Clax has c1 'c
 name, I think it due myself to say that Captain Plowman, one of the commission
 CTS, approached me to know if l would be-
 come a purchaser of these lands, and as I
 was at the time looking for coal and iron
 properties for myself and some friends, I
 agreed to entertain negotiation with the
 trustees for these school lands at the price
 of $5 per acre. In a day or two after the
 first conversation with Captain Plowman,
 W. B. Reynolds, son of H. Clay Reynolds,
 came to my office with Captain Plowman
 and stated that he believed he could get an
 option on the lands of the Montevallo
 school at $4 per acre. I laughed and said a a purchaser, of course, had no objec
 tion to buying the lands at less price
 than $5 per acre, and If he (Mr. w. B. Key
 nolds) would bring me option from the
 trustees at $4 per acre, that should a pur-
 chase of the lands at that price result I
 would pay him for his services a part of the
 saving to me in the price had agreed upon
 as a fair value for the lands. This resulted
 in a short memorandum being signed by
 w. B. Reynolds and myself.
 .'The next morning MT. H. Clay Reynolds.
 Captain Plowman and w. tB. Reynolds call
 ed at my office, and in the conversation
 which followed Mir. Clay Reynolds and I both agreed that on account of his official
 connection with the school his son had best
 not enter into the work he had sought to do In procuring an option on the land, and
 then and there the matter ended so far as young Reynolds and I were concerned.
 Subsequently I prepared a form of op- ton on the lands at $5 per acre for submis- sion to the boards of trustees of these schools. My proposition was delivered by
 the Montevallo board, and in view of my proposition Governor Johnston was author ized to sell outright the lands at the price of $5 without examination and selection
 and this proposition I declined, and after ward I declined to renew my original prop osition.
 "So far as the controversy between Gov ernor Johnston and H. Clay Reynolds Is concerned, have no earthly interest, and controversy at any price,"