The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1909-01-29
A CARD or THANKS.

10 the many KIND aud generous ladies
and gentlemen, and especially 10 Mr..
and Mfs. v. ~ Lewis. Mt and Mrs.
Watson, Prot H. y Linneld and last,
but not least, 10 Mr.. Martin Turnbuli.
who honored me last Friday night with
a surprise party, which wsa indeed the
most genuine surprise party I ever
attended in all my life, return here.
with most cordial and heartfelt thanks.
The "meteoric shower OF coin" descend
ing upon me on that memorable coca.
sion will not build an observatory, but
II viii 40 far encouraging me to further
humble efforts at independent research
and may lead TO favorable considers.
ton OF my recent petition TO Congress
for indemnity.
hut for the unfriendiy action Of Presi.
dent Roosevelt about little Round island
In Pascagoula bay, first In wholly ignor-
ing several respectful letters addressed
TO him on this subject several years ago,
and afterwards vetoing the Act Of Con
gress confirming the title to that island
under an old Spanish grant, without
recommending just compensation, I
would now have thereon q reasonably
well equipped observatory In touch with
all the working observatories OF the
world, and q comfortable home for my
old age, devoted wife and quite num-
Der Of healthy and comcly children aud
grandchildren from whom | have been
kept separated now for full twelve
years by tho Presidents unkindness
and a long series OF other misfortunes,
including Ave senseless yellow fever
scares and shotgun guarantees and
several destructive storms, frustrating
all my plans ana efforts to acquire q
| new home in the genial climate OF this
highly favored Gulf Coast, after being
despoiled OF once very happy homo on
an Iowa farm.
For this apparent animosity Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt can in no way account,
except by old and new secret service
reputation. The President seems to
have inherited his implicit confidence in
government secret service minions and
his disposition TO rashly jump at . con-
clusion without further personal inves-
tigation from his father, with whose
railroad secret service got into conflict
nearly forty years ago, and which ever
since on divers occasions caused me
great distress OF mind and serious losses
which cannot be measured In mere dol.
lars and cents and compared with which
the relief for which l have petitioned
Congress is . mere trifle.
For the Presidents unfriendly actions
In the Round island matter and, IS
now have good reason to suspect, In
another much more serious matter, dc
not blame him personally, nor hsrbor
the slightest resentment, but still hold
him In ~ high an esteem as ever, ant
still cherish the memory OF his father
and OF the late Morris X. Jesup with
almost fllisl devotion, believing that we
al OF us, OF high or low degree In thi
present disciplinary life are more o.
, less, consciously or unconsciously, ant
nilli.willi, blind instruments in tn
hands OF an inscrutable Providence 70
|, the promotion OF the kingdom Of HEAVIER
/, upon this earth by good or bad exampl
= TO our Joy or sorrow.
have hitherto born all my privat
a grievances and suffered serious losses Il
silence, preferring persecution and pov
!. erty with honest work for the day IN
honest hope for the morrow to tainte
!, wealth with dirty hands and an I'm
: paired self-respect, but now furthe
!, silence has ceased to be virtue an
become . sin, and I now deem thl
explaDstion necessary to justify m
8 petition to Congress and the good wi
and confidence the good people Of Pa
cagoula hsve recently shown me.
Again thanking any ana al Of theI
10 for the kindly and genuine surprii
;. party with which they have recentl
honored me, | remain forever the
y grateful friend. r. HESS.
Psscagoula, Miss, Jan. Is, 1909.