The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-06-25
THAT OPEN LETTER
OR. SNipER CLAIMS THAT HE
WAS COERCED INTO SIGNING IT
His verson Of the Recent Encounter
between Capt. Kelley and
Himself.

himself.
Editor County Record
There appeared in the last issue
of your paper, an article signed BY
my own hand-an open letter, which
will explain itself. | ask that you
insert that same letter again in this
weeks issue. It tells of an invita-.
ton, and investigation, An admission
of fault and what seems to be a
manly apology. But now, as I ex-
plain the circumstances under which
the article was signed, l ask that
the public Judge who is honorable.
The article criticizing the muni-
cipal affairs of this town, published
in the county papers two weeks ago
over the nom de plume-"Nofe
Anon"-was written by me. This
article caused considerable comment,
especially by those in public author
itv. Even threats against my per-
son were made, but Capt John A
Kelley, the intendant, was away at
the time. He returned Friday or Sat-
urday after the publication of the
article. Early Monday morning, the
18th inst, / received the invitation
referred to in the "open letter" 1t
came in gentleness, meekness and
manliness. Mr. E G Epps, whose
word and veracity no one would
dare to doubt, told me that MIR Kel-
ley had spoken to him concerning
the whole affair and said that he be-
lieved had been misinformed and
that if he (Mr Kelley could have a
friendly meeting with me, he was
confident that he and Mr. StAmand,
the clerk Of the council, could show
me wherein was wrong; and if so,
he believed / would make what con-
cessions might, be proper and just,
and to have this meeting. Mr. Kelley
invited me to his Office, where the
town books are kept. Mr. Epps
spoke of the earnestness with which
Mr. Kelley desired the meeting, say
ing that Mr. Kelley had promised
that it should be friendly thu" ,gh-
ont, guaranteeing peace and right
adjustment. l declined the invita-
ton, for the reason that l had two
appointments for the forenoon. Be-
sides, as l told Mr. Epps, the work
of investigating those books would
be tedious and would require an ex-
pert probably several days to per-
form the task, and that when / did
60. being no expert myself. l would
want some one else along who kne
more about bookkeeping than l do.
1 told Mr. Epps, however, to tell
Capt Kelley that l was perfectly
willing to 60 to his Office and see
what could be done and if / had
wronged the council, l would be too
glad to make proper concessions. Mr.
Epps told ME then that Capt Kelley
would have come to my Office but
for the imprudent reports which
had been circulated on the streets in
his absence, which he feared had
reached my ears, and which might
cause me to misunderstood his visit
and difficulty might be the result
rather than a peaceful adjustment
of the matter. With this informa-
ton, l assured Mr. Epps, that if Mr.
Kelley wished to see me in my office,
that he would be accorded a court
eous reception by me. Mr. Epps,
upon leaving my Office said "Allright,
Doctor, will give him your mes
sage" In few minutes after this
Capt Kelley, appeared at nay office
and was most cordially invited in.
He stated briefly the object of his
visit in pleasant manner, saying
that he was satisfied that the matter
could be amicably settled. He
promised that he and Mr. StAmand
would go over the books with me
and he was satisfied that the condl-
ton of the books would prove their