The Grit-advocate., 1903-01-02
The Soldiers Widow.


Der p, 1902, appeared the editorial
printed below. The sentiments of the
editorial which refer directly to the
eA guerrilla, Mosby, are probably hear
tily endorsed by every Grand Army
man and other loyal unionist in the
land. Not only has Mosby's ovcr-of-
ticiousness in the agitation for the re-
mOval Of fences from government land
obtained for him the enmity of the
cattle men in the west, but his monu-
mental egotism and the propensity he
has for getting himself interviewed by
newspaper reporters, in all of which
interviews Mosby is the central figure,
has disgusted the people generally.
BY all means he should be recalled to
Washington and should be kicked out
of the governments service. The
Farmers editorial follows:
A singular spectacle has been in
progress in the city Of Omaha the past
week. This was nothing more nor
less than United States grand jury
inquisition designed to incriminate in
homestead land frauds widows of SOL
diers of the rebellion. During most
of the week the federal building in
Omaha was thronged with ranchmen
of western Nebraska, who were hauled
up here by court officers, from their
homes three hundred to four hundred
miles away, in the busy season for cat
tlemen, to impeach the honesty OF pur-
pose and good character OF such sol
dier's widows as may have been exer-
cising their lawful rights under the
homestead law.
The motive for the grand jury in
quiry was furnished py the charge that
such soldiers widows homestead til-
ings were being sold to cattlemen, and,
by inference, it was assumed that the
widows making the entries were not
acting in good faith, but were fraudu-
lently acquiring title to the land mere
ly to act as agents of the cattlemen.
The promoter of this inquiry which
reflects upon the character of the en-
tire "old soldier" element of the peo-
pie is the notorious ex.guerrilla rebel
chieftain, "Col." Mosby-Mosby who
by all the rules OF war was not merely
rebel but an outlaw and desperate,
because of his bushwhacking methods
during the war-Mosby, the man who
boasted the most infamous unmilitary
conduct Of all the cutthroats develop
ed in the south by the rebellion! This
man has been kept in high official
place by this administration, apd sets
on foot a United States grand jury
libel of the widows Of men who shed
their best blood to save the country
and flag Mosby was trying to shoot to
pieces!
AS to the facts involved, we need say
nothing except that if soldiers wild
Ow Or an old soldier has not exercised
the homestead right, she or he has a
right to exercise it wherever there is
public land, whether in Nebraska or
elsewhere. When that homestead right
becomes matter of record it is good
and honorable title, as far as it goes
just as honorable title to land as any
man holds. That homesteaded land,
the minute it becomes a matter of
homestead record, becomes the proper
ty of the homesteader, and she has
right to use it as she pleases. That is
the spirit and the intent Of the law
Now, who will single out the soldiers
widow to make her the victim OF per-
secution for fraudulent homestead en-
try? Who but Mosby, the guerrilla
rebel chieftain, whose bnshwhackers
probably endowed some of these hon
orable women with widows weeds and
life Of struggle and sorrow!
Men of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, will you stand for this impeach
ment of the soldiers Widows at the
hands Of Mosby? Mosby was put in
position to do this deed Of villainy by
man whom your votes elected to Of
fee. He is kept there by d man, The
President, who is your servant. II
you give silent consent to Mosby's ap-
pointment as special agent of the
United States Department of the In
terror you give cOuntenance and en-
couragement to this outrage on SOL
dier's widows.
Are there not plenty of honest men
and patriots to fill the public offices?
Comrades, write your protest to Presi-
dent Roosevelt! He should send Mosby
to the rear.
Heads Should Never Ache
Never endure this trouble Use at
once the remedy that stonned H. far