Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-10-14

legitimate way, engaged in the money lOaning bus
mess. They made arrangements with eastern in
vestors for money to be loaned on Kansas soil, and
the rates Of interest including the commissions
charged by the agent, sometimes ran up as high as
80 and 40 per cent. This class of agents soon ac-
cumulated vast amount Of money, some built fin
business houses and furnished their offices In the
rear, generally termed an investment company,
in most lavish style. The craze to borrow money
was augmented until Che state fairly went wild over
the boom that was on, for there was scarcity Of
money in circulation. The loan agents reaped q
great harvest. But there came day Of settlement
Mech Of the land had been mOrtgaged for greater
sum than 1t worth, in some instances the owner
coming to the town where the loan agent was lOcat
ed with his family in a wagon ready to start for
some other state as soon as he signed up the mort
gage and received his part Of the money from the
agent. Two Of the most unblushing thieves and
scOundrels we ever met among this class Of loan
agents we're one John A. Ohphant and one Robert
Q. Deming. So daring was their outrageous swim
ding that this writer, as the editor Of paper cir.
euating in the sections where they we're heecing
the people, denounced both as they deserved and
warned the pUbhc against their thievery. Both
alter the were submitted to iuries in the Dis
trict court, We we're acquitted, proving in essh
case Our charges The arrest made by Deming sac
ceeded that Of Oliphant, and simultaneously with
our arrest By Deming that desperate and goaded
thief wrote . villainOus end hbelous article
charging us with about every CTdne known 70
the commission OF man and secured its publication
in local paper. That article, as lbeOus as Il can
be- containing scarcely truthful sabement together
with lot Of sensational campaign stun copied from
the Cincinnati Enquirer aRd embellished by the
local Jackson TALENT is published now by the
Jackson Clarion Ledger and News, with the hope "a
prejudice the people OF this state against us.
\ ANY who are desirOus Of accepting thisQrist Of
bilngate truth have our permission to do 60 and
make the best'Oi it. To any sensible person, and
especially those whO have known as for years and
watched our daily walk, We have no tears Of its
influence since it is so OverdUawn and silly as "a
show it's falsitg.
\ The articles ere probably furnished thegacksOu
n pirates for pubseattOn by resident OF this town
who has repeatedly declared els intention Of
driving us from the state bat Wha when it.eame to
the show dOwn had not the nerve to assume the
personal responsibility but preers to cOwapdly do
his underhaDded work through his new allies 81
jackson. While be has bOasted Of having sll these
wonderful exposes BY DemiRg and Oliphant il bis
ssfe for month"; &c has cOnfaed their publicity to
privately exhibiting them to those with whom be
thought he night damage rs personally and
sneakingly.
\ We have always believed tat eearts we're Great.
ed dor the punishment Of crime, and until Ne are
satisfied thai this Is a delusOn We shall retain this
belief. Just at present it looks very much as Though
one who dares to oppose this Jackson gang viii
6nd no recourse 10 the courts bat as the statute Of
Limitation does not nan for two years in the sste.
We stin believe We sail be able to legally demon.
srate the true pOsiOs of each Of the parties to this
controversy.
Our Life being spared, we shall remaia in Missis.
sippi. All such coWardiy and desperate opposition
viii neither intmidats nor annoy ne.
We have lived in Okolena four years next month
Our life has been public asd open to al As to our
conduct IS 3 citizen and gentleman, We ere willing
to leave the judgment entirely with those with whom
we have been acquainted and mingled, and barring
one whose hatred We enjoy and whose good will
would not eOvet st any price, ere willing that
we may be judged By The community and it's recOg
milton Of our labOrs IN it's behalf.
"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make
mad"
UNSHAKEN CONFIDENCE