The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-05-04
WILL FACE HIS AccUsERS.
J. NJ. Strobhar Will Voluntarily Re-
turn to Florida and Stand Trial
Makes a Statement.

release and made the following state
ment TO a Constitution reporter:
81 want to assure the public that
have no disposition whatever to enter
ious to return to my home in Gaines
vile, Fla; but not under arrest, nor
Swallowed by an officer. l tried to re-
turn there from Canada, and would
have adone so, but for the misrepre-
sensations Of the prosecution, in Mon
treal, Canada, who persuasively in
sisted upon my remaining there until
they could hear further from the rail-
way officials, who Detective Caring
ton claimed We're absent from New
upon their return, and upon receipt
Of further advice and directions from
them. that all differences would be
satisfactorily adjusted. These, their
statements, however, much to the sur
prise, disgust and contempt of my at
torneys as we'll as myself, proved to
be another one of their traps, mislead-
ing, deceptive, and misrepresentation
from every point of view.
IF ] am permitted to return to Flor
ida, unmOiested, l will return direct to
Gainesville just as soon as / can ar
range few business matters Of i'm
portance here, which will require about
two days. II l am not permitted TO re-
turn thar way, and under those condi-
tons, 1 shall then ask protection at the
hands Of the state according TO all ex-
tenuatiOns accorded TO an eXtradition
subject under the treaty existing be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States as we'll as the protection OF
which | am entitled under the laws Of
our own country.
Il have no fear of the outcome of
this prosecution at my home in Flor
ida. | am fully prepared to meet any
issue or charge which this prosecu-
ton may precipitatc from the accusa-
tons they have already charged. or
any others they may promulgate
against me. Neither do l fear the de-
velOpment of their pet negative which
they have pictured so wildly, and
boasted publicly. Of 'Strobhar in
Stripes
1 am sure perfect development of
such picture would De quite as be-
coming to the physiognomy of the art
list himself. as he would be befited to
such n costume
Il have no desire 10 evade the slight
est technicality of the law. There is no
man who has a higher regard for the
laws Of his country. or to live in abso-
Lutte confOrTnance To these laws than /.
realize that I am placed at a very
great disadvantage. Without means
myself with which 70 conduct 4 law
suit; and having no one upon whom
to call for pecuniary aid. Were 1t not
for the magnanimity and high sense
OF justice of my attorneys, Fitzpatrick
& Moore, and Reuben Arnold, who
have defended me without a dollar for
a fec, and who have guarded my in
terestS and welfare as a brother, while
the prosecutiOn-the Atlantic Coast
Line Railway Company. The American
Surety Company. are possessed of I'M
told wealth and influence. The two
corporations boaStingly announced by
their French Canadian advocate, Mr.
Paris, that their object in entrapping
and forcing upon me extradition pro-
Ceedings. was 10 create prejudice
against me in Florida. Finding that
this might be more difficult than they
anticipated, they res0rted 70 the
scheme To take me 20 Georgia. a state
that | have always respected. admired
and loved, hut where I was not known
and where they believed they could
stamp mo as 4 felon. But in this they
reckoned without their host For in
their lust FOR gain. they forgot that in
Georgia, the empire state Of the south.
right is might!er than might.
MY work is 70 protect my good
name. which is 10 descend 10 my Young
children unblemished, and this I pro-
pose "a do as long as there is breath
in my body"
Signed Statement by MIR. Strobhar.
Editor Constitution: / am going -
ask You ~ grant ne space in your
valuable paper 10 make the following
explanation: The clause contained in
my statement, made to the court dur
ing my trial on April IS, which refers
TO my having returned 70 Mr.. Dale. Of
IN" Dutton Phosphate Company. a
draft or New York exchange which
had been issued by the Dutton Phos-
phate Company. in payment OF a cargo
shipment Of rock. and which draft or
exchange had been Endorsed by me
and included in a remittance which
had been delivered to the Southern
Express Company 10 be forwarded as
a remittance to be credited to my sta
ton account
did not mean to reflect any dis
credii whatsoever upon Mr.. Dale's in