Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-09-25
ISSUE WITH
.TRIB CORRESPONDENT

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... sS$SspE2ES ~ %tse%
The Tribune publishes $the follow
ing letter in the interests Of fairness.
One of IL readers takes issue with a
story sent in by one OF III correspond
ents and we take great pleasure in
stating his side Of the matter. If the
Tribune has done any injustice to the
deceased, it trusts this will make full
reparation. The item was handled as
are hundreds, of others each evening
placing entire. confidence in the accur-
ac;y of the correspondents, who at
times, without inteSt, err themselves.
The letter from HI. A. Maloff follows:
Belfeld, N. d., Sept. "a, 1915.
Editor Bismarck Daily Tribune,
Bismarck, North Dakota. =
Dear Sir: In your Issue of the Bis
marck Daily Tribune of September %
there appears in large bold type an
article concerning the death Of Sam
Mcneil, which article vas to the ef-
feet that Mr.. Mcneil was a man of
violent temper, and would lend the
impression that he was one of the real
bad men" This is a terrible mis-.
take, anG l feel confident that you
have been misinformed and ] am hast
ening to call your attention to this
matter, so that this error may be
cured.
It So happens that I was very Wei
acquainted with MI. Mcneil, who liv-
ed about IS miles southwest Of Bel
field, and l believe that know o
about the man, his past life, charact-
er and reputation than any other per-
son living, and | am pleased to be
able to tell you that Mr.. Sam Mcneil
was one of Gods noble Incl and as
honest, good hearted, true, peaceable
and worthy a citizen as we have in
this vicinity, or even in this state.
This is not the opinion of myself only,
but | do not know OF a single person
around here who is acquainted with
Mr.. Mcneil, who would not confirm
my statement, with the exception, per-
haps, of a few base and despicable
people whose code of morals could
not quite measure up to that of Mr..
McNeil's. MIR. Mcneil has lived around
here for about five years end he has
enjoyed the confidence and respect Of
the best citizens in this community,
and this, in my opinion, is not only
a libel on the good nan of Mr.. Nc
Neil, but a slap to the intelligent citi-
zens of this community, who esteem
ed and respected Mr. Mcneil. Mr..
Mcneil raj also a member Of the Ma
sonic lodge and it is very likely that
the funeral will be held under the
auspices Of the Dickinson Masonic
lodge, and l believe that this latter
fact alone should convince you that
the information vouched for in sup
port of your item was rendered by a
man so blinded by prejudice, owing,
perhaps, to some petty personal griev-
ance. No n around here knows of
any gun plays made by Mr.. Mcneil or
that he was mentally deranged, or
that he had any trouble with his
neighbors whatsoever.
Mr.. Mcneil comes from a very fine
family at Lumberton, North Carolina,
and ! am sure that if any. Of his rela.
tives saw the. item that appeared in
your paper, that they would take is
sue with you on this question. / have
not, as yet, talked to any Of his rela-
tiYes as they had not the time to get
here thus far, but | am writing you
this of my own initiative as a friend
of Mr.. Mcneil, and who feels that a
great injustics has been done to this
man, and I earnestly request, as a
friend Of Mr.. McNeil's and as a sub
scriber to your paper, and who was
under the impression that you
are at all times attempting to give to
the public true and accurate irforma-
ton, that you retract this statement
in as bold type and prominent a
place as the item tina. appeared in
yours of September 23rd. AS l stated
before, this is undoubtedly an error
on your part, having been misled by
some person, and I honestly believe
if you had had the least intima-
ton that the same was not correct,
that you would not have inserted tie
item, and I feel confident that you
will comply with my request and do
unto the good maine of Mr..
Sam Mcneil, and ell those interested
his case.
Yours very truly,
H. A. MACKOFF.