The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1903-08-20
jefferson CIV. Aug -. lgo3

jefferson Guy, Aug IL, 1898.
Editor Democrat. News, Frcdcricklown,
Mo.
DEAR SIR, Ny attention has been
called to an article published in the
Pennington Times and Herald of Aug
uSt &, credited to the Democrat News,
concerning the resignation of Major
t'lbony llouck, of the Sixth Battalion
Natjona Guard of Missouri, in which
You quote certain "promincnt South.
cast Missouri politician but who
wishes his name withheld, who at
icmpis to show that politics at this end
end of the line had something to do
with Major !louck'S resignation. The
'Soulhca>t Missouri politician" j.
quoted as saying that "Lonis Ilouck.
father of Gibony, has been prominently
mentioned as candidate for Governor,
and that certain politicians had made
attempts TO get Mr. lIouck to put a
qnlctus on this growing sentiment in
his favor in Southeast Missouri, and
tor him to endorse the candidacy of
Judge CAN'T for Governor Failing in
| this, these politicians turned their at.
enlion 10 Major Gbony IIouck with Il
view of getting him to work upon his
father Major llouck informed them.
IN language more pointed than clo-
1ucnt, that his father was able to man.
age ms own affairs, and for them To 90
10 blankcty-blank- blank. An intima.
ton was then sent to Major Ilouck that
his resignation rs Major Of the Sixth
battalion would be accepted if sent in,
aud GIbony forwarded his resignation
50 quick that it kinder took the breath
out OF the CAN'T fellows at jefferson
City. This, | am told, said the gen.
tleman, is the real reason for Gibony
llouck'a resigning AS Major Of the
Sixth Battalion"
Now, | desire to say that, so far AS
this Department is concerned, it did
not know that Louis Houck had been
mentioned a, Il candidate for Governor,
much less of any one trying to induce
him to withdraw in the Interest of
Judge Can't, and | also wish to say
that the reasons given above for
Major Houck's resignation are abso-
lutcly false and without foundation: in
fact, ut no time has this Department
ever intimated directly, or indirectly,
to Major Ilouck or any body else, that
his resignation as Major of the Sixth
Battalion was desired, or "would be
accepted If sent n"; nor do believe
that Major llouck ever told any one
that ordinations had been sent him
from these, or Brigade Headquarters,
or from any other authoritative source
that his resignation was wanted or
would be accepted il sent in"
On July II, 1908, Major Houck
SEPT in his resignation rs Major of the
Sixth Battalion and gave his reason
for so doing, which has no reference
to politics, politicians, or political sig
nilicance, whatever. No one was more
surprised at his action than the Brigade
Commander, Gen. II. c. Clark, and
myself. General Clark strongly urged
him to withdraw his resignation, but he
refused TO do SO, and il was accented.
These are facts that Major Houck
or any body else will not deny.
trust that you will give this letter
publication, in order that your readers
may know the facts, and to correct any
wrong impression on the minds of your
readers us to Major Houck'e resigna-
ton. Very respectfully,
w. I. CAMERON,
ktiptapt Ca,asa1