The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-03-29
FINDS JAIL INVOLVEMENT.
Fairfax Editor Writes Unique Letter
From County BastiIe.

'
From County Bastile.
Gregory County Jail - Very Poorly
Ventilated; Completely Inadequate I'm
Every Way-Dirty and announcement
Fairfax, S. d., March q, 19O7-Dcar
Friend: AS you will see Ivy the head,
ing of this letter, am an inmate of
the building-not much bigger than
an ordinary coal shed -- which this
county digniios by the name of coun.
ty Jail. Now just a little explanation
You who have been reading my
paper, will remember that last fall
made campaign for better men to
fiji county Offices. In a great measure
| was successful and take pride in
the fact that assisted in elccting men
whom | believe are men of integrity.
One of the men whom ! helped to de-
feat, was Fred Hutton, republican can
didate for sheriff. You all know the
charges ! made, so there Is no use of
rehearsing them here. Suffice it to
say, that Mr. Huston felt himself very
much aggrieved and thinking to make
campaign ammunition out of the af
fair, he started a criminal libel suit
against me and secured an Injunction
from the circuit court, ordering and
restraining me from making any
false or malicious" statements about
this woud-be sheriff You will also re-
member that my paper kept on in its
Independent campaign for right men
and right measures.
Mr.. Doherty, republican candidate
for states attorney, also started a
criminal libel suit against me.
These men both hired the same at
torney, one w. j. Hooper of Bonesteel
Hooper served summons upon me
which demanded that make and
serve an answer on him at his Office
in Bonesteel, within thirty days from
service on me.
This | attempted in good faith to
do. The answers in both cases were
executed properly and In plenty OF
time, and then, through the careless
ness and neglect Of the attorney who
had my side of these cases in his care
the thirty days time was allowed to
go by without my answers having been
legally served. At least that is the
ruling of Judge Smith of this circuit
| contend differently, however, and
am fighting the case.
Be that as it may, default judgments
were granted against me by the court
in both cases. Huston Immediately
placed his judgment on file, took an
execution and it was returned by the
sheriff, wholly unsatisfied. Thereupon
Judge Smith issued an order commit
ting me to prison, and that's where
am at the present time, and will be
probably, until my attorneys get the
supreme court to work on my case
which hope will be soon.
| am today man who Is locked in
prison, without being given a chance
to submit my proofs, for on my mo
ton to reopen the case, Judge Smith
turned me down. The matter will be
Strengthened out, however, but in the
meantime | am in jail, unable to make
any money out of my business. which
is in the hands of young man not al
all acquainted with the Office or bust
ness.
Then, too, the work | did last fall
was for the benefit of the residents
and taxpayers of Gregory county
They showed that they believed 1t then
by giving nice majorities to the op
ponents of Huston and Doherty.
spent over $500 in that campaign in
just getting information and assuring
myself of the truth of my accusations
before | ever made a statement.
Now ask that the people for whose
benefit / spent my money, labor and
am now giving up even my liberty
sho wagain that they appreciate my
efforts in their behalf.
Your subscription TO the Sun-Review
expired. .............. 1...., which
makes your account to the same date
190.. So, or to date So.
II you wish to continue your paper
send me So, which will pay your
subscription up 1870. -.
do not ask, nor do | want charity
| have always, to the best of my abil
ity, given value received for what
got, and will continue to do so, but
at this time do ask that the people
who owe me help me out. My family
must have necessaries and it costs me
money TO fight my way clear from m!
political enemies.
In the name of right and justice
nSk that Won send me whichever of thu