Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-06

him if he would give me recommen-
dation to another real estate firm. He
said willingly and he did so.
Il went to the other firm anc l stay
ed with them just two weeks. Then
the head of the arm made the cruel
est remark of me that l had ever
heard in my life He told me he
didn't want me any longer and l ask
ed, guessing why. He sneered and said
L guess we can run our business with
out the aid of ex.convicts.
The tears came into Grahams eyes
as he spoke and bowed his head in
his hands as he sat on his cot in the
cell and wept 1t was some moments
before he could steady his voice and
go on. Then he said:
Il told my wife that it was no use;
we should have to leave ST. Louis.
She was brave and loyal and she tried
to cheer me up. She said that we
| would go to some place where / wasn't
known and start afresh. She had
saved some morey and so had |. l
had made one or two brokerage sales
which had enabled me to lay aside
some money.
$50 we went to futile, Oklahoma,
1 started a general store there. we
had a good business in small way.
paid our bills ard finally a credit man
from a grocery house in Chickasha.
told me that was doing better bus
mess than anyone in Tuttle and ought
to go in larger and put in big stock.
He said that his firm would be glad
to let me have the stock and l could
remit as I was able. And he saw the
credit men from shoe firm and dry
goods firm and made similar arrange
ments for me. Then I had stock OF
some $4,000; a big stock for town
| like futile. I had the good will and
respect of everybody. | was elected
member Of the school board. The cots
ton season was coming on and look
ed confidently TO the time when
would pay for the increased stock
had bought and have a clear start.
f'Then there came to futile a little.
| fat travelling man who said he knew
me. / told him that he must be mis-
| taken, but he convinced me that he
had seen me in the penitentiary at
Fort Madison. He was Bailey, the
| travelling man who was sent up for
bigamy.
HE had cheap chewing gum prop
osition to offer me. 1t wasn't a good
business proposition and I declined it.
So did the other merchants In the
town. And Bailey thought that l had
been saying something against the
scheme he was trying to work. But
hadn't said a word against it. He left
town. Soon began to get letters from
the grocery house, the dry goods house
and the shoe house. telling me that
time were hard, they headed the
money and asking me to hurry my re-
nittances. knew what had happen
ed. Finally went to the shoe firm
and asked what was the trouble. After
same lodging 1 asked if some one had
said that was an ex-convict. And the,
firm said yes.
cit wasn't long after that until there
We're whisperings in futile. saw
what was coming and began to cut
down my stock. paid up every cent
could, and didn't order any more.
The whisperins:s grew into insults;
could have stood it perhaps, but final
ly some one insulted my wife. I went
to the cashier Of the bank where had
done my business, told him how much
I was in debt and asked him to loan
me the amount necessary to pay 1T,
for sixty days. He did so. I paid my
debts and then I got out circulars and
sold my stock for just what could get
for it. l paid every penny that
owed, but when it was done had
hardly enough money left for me and
my wife to get away from futile.
What was the use of trying any more :?
I left futile on Saturday, the third
day of December. came to st. Louis
got into correspondence with some
parties; came to Iowa and on Deem
Der II, we robbed the postoffice at
Celwein. You know the rest.
Here are some letters which will
show you that what have been tell
ing you is true:
'Williamssorl-Ha lsell- F'rasier Co.,
"Grocers, Chickasha, I. T.
March 8, 1905.
"To the Inquiring Public:
This is to advise that we have known
Mr.. James Graham, formerly of Tuttle,
l. T., for several years, and have sold
him great quantities of goods. He has
always met his, bills promptly and sat
isfactorily.
He is a man of good reputation and
character.
The Bank of futile, futile, I. T.
Nov. 16, 1904.
To Any Bank or Banker:
The bearer hereof, Mr.. James Gra-
ham, has for some time past been en-
gagged in the merchandise business in
this city and is DESTROYS OF changing
his location.
Mr.. Graham enjoys an exceptional
reputation as an honorable citizen and
competent business man, and is
leaving this community with the full
confidence and good wishes of all who
know him. Any courtesies extended to
him will be appreciated by us.
Very respectfully yours,
A. e. Green, cashier.
Carroll, Broueh and Robinson,
Oklahoma City, March 10, 1905.
This will certify that Mr.. James
Graham, formerly of futile, I. T., is
personally known to the writer, having
been a customer of ours for some
time, while located in the Indian Ter
ritory. Our business relations with
Mr.. Graham have always been of the
most pleasant character. We consider
Mr.. Graham strictly reliable and trust
worthy and capable business man.
j. P. Brough, President.
Kerfoo Miller, Arnold Co.
This is to certify that Mr. James
Graham purchased goods of us while
in Tuttle, !. T., paid his bills very
promptly. We consider him one of the
Last c,,sfopoorS had m ,o,,,. boolxc N,