Sunday morning globe., 1901-12-08

famous paragraph IN which scmi-spOruuE
woman was mentioned as the wife of my
brother, Florence Elliott, and that they
were visiting me at Arlington, all Of which
was untrue.
Mr. Koons says:
THE warfare grew in bitterness until in
the issue Of February S Elliott published
severe two column write up on Osborn IN
which OSBORN was called thief, and other
terms were applied TO him"
This is true, and am pleased to be able
to admit the correctness Of Mr.. KOons' quo
tation But why did Mr.. Koons refrain
from giving the statement of Hon, John
Mcbride the then Commissioner Of Labor
who visited me as the agent of Osborn's
partner f. w. Ievering, to use his friend
ship and good Offices that the said article Of
February IS might not be published. MI
Mcbride makes oath to this, and Mr.. koons
had his statement that Levering having as.
certained that was in possession Of certain
facts damaging to his reputation, author
lied Mr.. Mcbride to promise me if would
not publish or expose him, nothing more
should appear against me in the Sunday
World. Mr. Mcbride guaranteed the
promise Of Levering and took the article
out Of the forms Of February 8. But Lever
ing broke his agreement and permitted Os-
born TO continue his attack in his issue Of
February g. In addition TO this Osborn
wrote me an insulting, blackmailing letter
through the mails, which Mr.. Koons also
had before him This letter notified me
that If / ever said a word derogatory to him
! (Osborn) or published his well known dis
reputable record he would assail my family,
as he knew how intensely ] loved them
and they were the weak spots in my armor
-. q a.
ness enjoyed in the possession Of a noble
and virtuous wife and loving children
There was much more in this letter now in
the possession Of the Board of Pardons and
which is part Of The record of the trial.
In response to this assault and to punish
Levering for his bad faith, ! published the
article on February IS, which was true in
every particular and in so far as il applied
to Levering and Osborn was not denied by
them The article alone assailed Osborn
and Levering and did not attack the female
members Of their families.
The article was composed mainly bv INV
city editor Hon c. c. Johnston, ex Superin
tendeut Free Employment Office, and
thoroughly authenticated by him as tesu
fed to ON the witness stand. il was not
scurilous, il was not untruthful and il did
expose Osborns record as il had been pre-
viously published in "dodger" form by the
citizens Of Reynoldsburg, where be lived.
The bad faith Of Levering and the uncon-
trolable maglignity Of Osborn are respou-
sible for the tragedy Of February 23 ISol.
The documents on file with the Honorable
Board of Pardons, and made a portion Of
the records of my case show:
T. That I was anxious 20 avoid trouble
with Osborn and Ieverng.
O. That ! had patiently borne for months
their efforts to involve me in a controversy.
3. That when forced to notice them ! ac-
cepted the offer of ltreacherously intendedJ
peace made Gin good faith) by Hon. John
Mcbride.
g. And that when ] finally did write
them up" refrained from making use Of
certain strong points against them where
innocent female relatives were mentioned,
and with my own hand struck from the
proof sheet Of my city editor Dwho com.
posed the article) pointed reference to the
female relatives of Levering.
In conclusion, the testimony and my ar.
ticle of February rs show that ] invited
Osborn and Levering publish any damag.
ing facts or any atrocious lies they were
capable of inventinR about myself and that
they would neither be assaulted nor sued
for libel; but I added ANY attempt TO
drag iB innocent parties or involve my
family will be met differently. and ] shall
then enact a husband s and a fathers part 80
My most fearful conceptions of the gross
ness of which Osborn was capable did not
embrace his descent TO the grave of my
dead and saintcd mother hence 1 omitted
to add "a sons part.
That Mr. Koons could very readily ascer-
tain who was responsible, or who com.
menCed the controversy, is evident enough
ia the demonstration he has given of alb.
sorbing all the gossip and rumor put 100
circulation by my enemies since my arrest
No part Of this gossip SANDER or villi6ca
tion was put in evidence, nor does the
record of the trial anywhere show even an
attack by inuendo upon my character. My
honor as a soldier nay integrity as a citizen
and my record as am official are nowhere
assailed except in the comments and obser-
vatious of MI. Koons. Il is indeed extra
ordinary and worthy Of note by your Excel
lency that, Notwithstanding the wide
publicity given my application for pardon,
and the challenge thereby legally thrown
down to my enemies to come forward and
present any facts In their possession which .
would even have a tendency TO establish .
"blackmailer, " wife beater," druukard" T.
etc. (rolled of the pen of Mr.. Koons with /.
such evident gusto), not man or woman in .
the city of Columbus appeared openly and .
publicly before the board to father or
mother such infamous lies Mr. Koons .
very significantly refrains from giving the .
names Of the slanderers who informed him .
was either or all Of the vile things he .
alleges. There is not an editor, however .
reckless, in the United States who would .
publish such allegations against the vilest .
citizen ton the secret information OF un-
named informants) as Mr. Koons gives to
the world over his signature against a help
less man. who, previous to arrest held high
state and local Offices, and have been
frequently houored by the commissions of
the governor of the state.
Mr.. Koous says
TN the neighbood of 10 O'Clock he
Eliott). went into drug store where his
article in the CdbHai Of the day before was
under discussion.
The evidence Of the states witnesses,