Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-02

am personally acquainted with the
Rev. George Killeen, the present nomi-
nee for congress from this congressional
district on the Democratic Free Silver
ticket. | first became acquainted with
him when he came on TO the Ithaca
charge as pastor, which think was in
1898. At that time our church in Beebe
was included in the Ithaca charge, and
under the charge of Rev. George Killene.
He held services at our church once
each Sunday, and also some other special
services at different times.
| was told that he stated during the
campaign of 1886 that il was the lowest
class of men who went into the army
during the war of the Rebellion. | had
commented upon this remark of his to
other people TO some extent
On the second day of the meeting of
the Northeastern Soldiers and Sailors
Association, held in the village of Ithaca,
said county and state, from the 18th to
the llth days of September, 1900. | was
present, as WAS also Rev. George Killecn
and A. b. Darragh, the Republican
nominee for congress from this district.
Both Mr.. Darragh and Mr.. Killeen adj
dressed the soldiers aud sailors during
the afternoon OF that day.
After Mr.. Killecn was through speak
ing, ne came down from the speakers
stand, came over TO where | was stand
ing in the crowd, called me aside and
said, y understand yOu have been say
ing things about me 10 injure me- ="
replied, ! have been telling some things
that | understand that YOU said He
then asked me what il was that | had
been saying told him that he told
Mr.. Wilton that il was the lowest class
of people that went into the army, and
that they Went down South and stole
chickens. Tie then doubled up his fist,
shook ltovcr my shoulder and said" Any
one that SAYS that Is a liar. and I want
you to stop telling such things 10 iniure
me, or l Will have You arrested / re-
Piled arrest me as soon as YOU please,
arrest me this afternoon If Won want to.
the sooner Won Go the sooner We will
have this thing sifted 10 the bottom.
and Ill prove bv half a dozen people
that you said it. / further said to him,
you are not going 10 shut nay mouth or
make me shut it unless / want 10. lie
SAID y ON have 10 right 10 say things TO
injure mo. said TO him. / have as
good a right TO say things that would
o
mentS 20 inquire inc and other old sol
diers. Ike then quieted down and said.
~ on don't want to say things that Will
lhJure mo. ann poor man have e large
family I'D support and can't support my
SELF and family by preaching.
tncn said now Brother killeCu. IF
You didn't mako that statement, what
did Won say: Ho dropped his head and
madc no reply l then saudi 70 him. ism I
~ trur that Won stated in Mr. CQnyis
store IN Ithaca. that IL was the lowest
class of men that went into the army:
He replied, Yes. he then said. lin
this last war there wasn't butu few
went ont ~ ! stopped him and said.
now hold ON Brother Kiileon it WASH
during this last war il was during cam
pagu times four years ago that YOU
made the statement. He then said.
Well, it was the first that wont out.
then Said TO him. there is another
mean. dirty trick You did. YOU went
down 20 soc Mr. Wilton and get it
huShcd up.and that Mr.. Wilton told
You he didn't wish 10 iujurc You, and
that 1t was then agreed between Won
and he that nothing more should bc said
about II, that 50 far as YOU and ne was
cOnCcrncu the matter would be dropped.
and that YOU came right back up town
and stated 10 your friends that you had
been down TO see Mr.. Wilton and that
ne had taken it all back. He replied.
Il did not say SO, | told them we had
compromised. | then said 10 him that
Mr.. Helms and other members of his
party were telling that Mr.. Wilton had
taken il back That was about all of
our conversation.
| have never had any trouble in any
way with the Rev. George Killeen, so
far as know, there has always been the
best feeling between Us until this matter
arose JONATHAN GIDLEY.
Subscribed and sworn 10 before me
this goth day of October, y. d. 1900.
NJ. Il. SALTER.
\ true copy. Justice of the Peace.