Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-02-17
THE GLAD HAND
Extended to Kipling by Brattle-
bOrO Men,


Talk OF suit Against the Author
for Notwithstanding About the
story of the suit.
An Associated Press despatch heralded
the announcement across the continent
last Saturday that Beatty Balestier had
gone to New York with the avowed inten-
ton of bringing suit against his brother
in-law, Rudyard Kipling, for $4,000, the
grounds being alleged malicious prOsecu-
ton and false arrest in 1896. The des-
patch also stated:
at will be recalled that in May of that
year Balestier and Kipling met on a high
way near Brattleboro. Kipling caused the
arrest of Balestier, and swore in court a
few days later that his brother-in-law had
threatened to take his life. Balestier was
bound over TO the grand jury and put un-
der bonds to keep the peace. The case
was to have been tried at the September
term of that year. Mr.. Kipling, however,
sailed for England in August, and the case
was dropped Balestier says that he has
had no opportunity to tell his story, and
he now seeks justice by bringing suit"
The first intimatiOn Brattleboro people
had In regard to the matter came in tele-
grams from New York asking for ver6-
cation of the statement. An hour or two
later evening papers we're received contain
ing the press despatch with some embel-
lishments. Although the despatch APP
peared under Brattleboro date line it was
not sent from Brattleboro, and the CORE
spondent of the Associated Press and 9TH
er newspaper men here were entirely in
the dark at that time in regard as to its orr
gin. In response to requests from New
York Beatty Balestier was interviewed at
his home that evening. He said that the
statement was true that he intended to
bring suit, and that the amount of dam
ages claimed would not be less than $780,
900. He claimed to be greatly surprised
that the story had appeared in print. He
said that 1t was his understanding with
lawyers in New York that the suit would
be brought next Che presently week. He
would not give the names of his attorneys.
Balestier said that he would 90 TO New
ork Sunday morning or Monday, but he
has been in Brattleboro throughout the
week. Members of the Balestier family in
New York telephoned here Sunday for in
formation in regard to the alleged suit. 1t
is understood from friends of the family
that Balestier's relatives do not uphold the
bringing of a suit-in fact, they were
greatly disturbed at the appearance of the
story Saturday. Kipling's relations with
all of the Balestiers except Beatty are of a
pleasant nature. The Balestiers like Kip
ling, and are proud of their connection
with him and of the great success which
he has attained.
Balestier went TO Springfield, Mass
Friday. When asked if he told anything
on that trip which could have led to the
article published in the Springfield Even
ing Union he replied no emphatically.
When asked directly If he had a talk Fri
day with newspaper correspondent in
regard TO the matter he replied in the neg
alive. Balestier said he supposed the sto-
ry must have come through his attorneys
in New York.
Several OF the statements made by Bal
esther were entirely false. He saw at
Greenfield Friday w. S. Carson, the we'll
known correspondent. Balestier told Mr..
Carson his plans for bringing the suit and
said he was going to New York the follow
ing day. Mr.. Carson considered a $50
100 suit against Kipling good material for
story and therefore prepared the press
despatch.
Nothing has appeared in the New York
papers this week about a suit and it is
probable that no suit has been brought
Many people are of the opinion that the
tax OF the suit is game of bluff Law
yers here do not believe that there is
ground for suit. Beatty Balestier was
arrested in May, 1896, on states attor-
ney's complaint, and the testimony given
by kipling was witness under examina-
ton. kipling told no more than was nee
essary, and this with evident reluctanca
There were many at the hearing who came
away with the impression that Kipling
could have told more extended story of
the troubles with Beatty if he had been
willing to do So
People in Brattleboro do not need to be
told of the esteem and admiration in
which Mr.. Kipling is held here, or of the
general reputation which Beatty Balestier
bears. Some of the newspaper stories
sent out at the time of the hearing in Nav.
1876, were grossly misleading as to the
sentiments here in regard to the two men.
The statement published in several papers
last Sunday were of the same misleading
character. The sympathy in Brattleboro
is entirely with Mr.. Kipling. People here
believe that he was abused and insulted
and life here made so lntolerable that he
left the pleasant home which he had estab.
lished and returned to Europe.
The feeling here toward Mr.. Kiplinp
found suitable expression in the following
letter which was written Monday by C. r
Thompson, at the solicitation of several
prominent men.
BRATTLERoRo, W., Feb 10, 1899.
Mr.. RUDYARD KIPLNG,