Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-08-21
A PLAIN STATEMENT OF FACTS.
Who is Responsible for the Tempest Created
BY Rec. and DIV?

by Rec. and Oily?
To THE PUBLIC: In order that
the truth may be known about the
late incident at the county Jail that
has provoked more or less comment,
and that all the circumstances may be
understood surrounding my alleged
dismissal by the Sheriff, | wish to
make plain, unvarnished statement
Let it be understood that in so doing
| am not desiring to reflect upon any
body, but that in justice to myself
and my friends insist that tho truth
be known. l will certainly not hurt any
body unless it be some one who ought to
be hurt. / did not take anyone to
the Jail for immoral or other improper
purpose. The girl admitted to see
Clark on the occasion that caused
such rumpus was admitted on Sher-
if McClarty's orders, upon an inno-
cent errand, and Mr.. McClarty him.
self locked her in before she had been
there ten minutes. All the talk and
cunningly published statements about
the Sheriff discharging me has been
for mere political effect, and has been
a gross injustice to me. / am quite
willing to stand the consequences if
l at any time do any wrong or make a
mistake; but l do object to being
made scape goat OF for the purpose
of shielding somebody else.
"a few days before the incident in
question, little boy locked up for the
State Reform School had me find his
sister that she might get him some
clothing. She came to tho Jail &C.
companied by the girl over whose
presence later on all the trouble &C.
Cured. While there the latter no.
ticed a small hanging basket manu-
featured by Clarke for sale. Taking
fancy to it she wanted him to make
one for her and he agreed to do it.
On the afternoon when they came they
were admitted by the Sheriff's orders.
A day or two later, between 4 and
5 o'clock, during visiting hours, the
girl came after the basket Clarke was
to make for her; she applied to the
Sheriff for admission to the Jail, and
he directed her to me and sent me
word to admit her, which l did. At
the time there was another prisoner in
the Jail besides Clarke. The basket
had not been completed, and the girl
sat down to wait few minutes for its
completion. l had fastened the door
and was occupying my usual place as
sentry outside. In a very few min.
utes the Sheriff came back and or.
dered me to take the other prisoner
over to Justice Giles Office. / obeyed
orders, and, as the basket had not
quite been finished, the girl preferred
to wait for it; so left her there. 1t
was not two minutes after l had gone
with the other prisoner until the Sher-
if entered the Jail accompanied by the
electric light employee, Mr.. Eells. The
Sheriff stayed there five or six min
utes, and went away locking and leav-
ing the girl in the Jail again, as she
was still waiting for the basket. In
stead of promptly ejecting her., as
was enormously stated in print, he
himself locked her in. After my re.
turn, which was almost Immediately
after the Sheriff's visit to the Jail, l
was told by the Sheriff that some
political enemy Of his might make
talk about the girl being in the Jail,
and that he thought she would better
be told to leave. at once delivered
bis message and let the girl out. She
was indignant, and l told her it was
the Sheriff's orders. l then found
that there was disposition to blame
me for what had been done by the
Sheriff's direct orders, and / promptly
resigned. She Sheriff and some of bis
political sponsors requested me to at
least remain until the end OF the
month, but l insisted on going out
Immediately. That is how was dis.
charged Had / wished to admit any
one to the Jail for any improper pur.
pose it could easily have been done
during the night time, and no one
would ever have been the wiser. If
anyone ever was so admitted to the
Jail since l have been the jailer it GER
taiuly was not done by me, nor with
my knowledge or consent.
John MCCLELLAND."