The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1904-09-24
HARRIS, THE S~LANDERER.

regard to the abuse which is being
dispensed literally from the ILL
ordered pen of Fred Harris of the
Underwood Miner. Disappointed
at not having been able to run the
affairs of the county, smarting un-
der the contempt of decent and
honest men everywhere, and soured
on the world that he has so long
and vainly endeavored to fool, Har-
ris turns to abuse. just as all Great
ures of his kind. "A few remarks
regarding the standing of Harris
in this county and the animus of
his attacks on good citizens may
be in order.
In the first place Harris wants
to be a leader in affairs when Ma
ture cut him out for a water.carrier.
He wants to be a big man, but Ma
ture made him so enthusiastically
little, mentally, that he has not
breadth or scope enough to accom-
plish anything for good, and there
fore he endeavors to tear down
what other people have builded up.
What odium is his, he has brought
upon himself. His lack of success
here and elsewhere is due to his
many mental and moral defcien-
cies. These observations are dis
agreeable to have to make with
regard to the man, but they are
necessary to give an insight into
his real nature, and to explain why
he is SO vindictively assailing every
thing in reach.
Last summer, as an example of
Harris methods, he attended a
meeting hat was held at Denhotf
for the discussion of the division
Of the county. 1t was a business
meeting: called to discuss an i'm
portant matter that deserves care
full consideration at the hands of
the people. Harris was there as a
trader as usual. He offered the
support Of eighteen townships to
the proposition for removal-not
in the interest Of Mclean county
or the people of either Of the pro-
posed counties-but to obtain sup
port for Underwood for the county
seat. Harris was challenged by
prominent men in the meeting as a
man whose stock in trade was bluff
and who had nothing to offer and
no following Of any kind, Indeed,
it was only with some difficulty
that persons present were restrained
from ejecting him from the meet
ing. He was there four-hushing
as usual. This instance gives some
idea of his quality Of leadership
and craftsmanship.
He has been all his career in this
county a disturber. He has en-
deavored to stir up strife between
old settlers and new ones. He has
1nsistently and sneakingly sought
friction between men who should
be and are loyal citizens Of the
county, working together for its
advantage and benefit. The old
settlers deserve their share of credit
They have braved many hardships
and dangers. They lived here be-
fore there were railroads, and when
there were physical dangers as we'll
as this pecuniary risk that always
accompany settlement in a new
country. They carved out a big
county here, built a court house,
and so managed it that it is one of
the best financed counties on the
Slope. They worked long and earn
estly to get a railroad. They were
here to welcome new settlers to
these fertile lands. They have built
school houses and other public i'm.
provements. They have joined
hands with the late corners for the
public good, These are the mel
Harris has continually endeavoret
to set by the ears, in the hope thai
out of it all some good might come
to him.
Not alone this but last winter
he attacked bitterly the Distric
, Judge of this district. Recently