Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1886 — A Card From Dr. Patton. [ARTICLE]

A Card From Dr. Patton.

The Rensselaer Repul lican last week contained an article written for the purpose of leading people to believe that I have acted dishonestly in the capacity of treasurer of the school board of the town of Remington. After a preliminary introduction of the subject it states that prior to 1874 I owned some real estate in the town of Remington, which included my homestead and an adjoining tract 375x187| feet; that in 1874 I sold and conveyed said real estate to Mary A. Lindsay; the consideration for the 375x187| feet tract being ssoo, and that my homestead still appears recorded in tbe name of Mary A. Lindsay. It says that in October 1875 there was about sl,loo of special school funds in my hands, and that on November 4th, 1875, I received from Mary A. Lindsay a voucher for s9oo, and a deed was made by her to myself and cotrustees for a part of the ssoo tract, to-wit: 150x315 feet, with a consideration named therein of $9oo; being at the rate of $1,340 for the entire tract which I had about a year before estimated at ssoo, an increase of SB4O in one year; that the lot was and is still unimproved, and has ever since been in my possession, etc. A more unfair, dishonest and unjust statement could not be made than is set forth in the Republican.

In 1875 and during my connection with the school board of the Town of Remington, we had under consideration the building of a large and permanent school house. We found the • indebtedness this would involve would be greater than we felt justified in incurring, and we so reported to the citizens who were urging the matter. The people then said that we might at least secure suitable grounds for a school house before we wonld be compelled to go to the outskirts of the town for them. A thorough investigation determined that the tract mentioned was the most suitable for the purpose, and the price the most reasonable within the corporate limits of the town. It was purchased and before the deed was transferred as treasurer of the school board I paid to Mrs. Lindsay s9oo in legal tender currency, every dollar of it at one time.— Neither myself nor any member of the school board made one penny out of the transaction. It is true that real estate was much higher then than now, but this fact was not known to us then. The tract 375x187^feet that Isold

and conveyed to Mary A. Lindsay for ssoo in April, 1874. did not include my homestead, and my homestead is not in the name of Mary A. Lindsay. The 150x315 fed; conveyed to the school trustees includes all of the tract first described as feet. In one description the metes and bounds are the middle of the streets bordering, in the other description streets are excluded. The tract had not been subdivided, but it was intended for six lots 50x150, the usual size in Remington, and slso a lot was considered reasonable at that time, and no dearer than other lots as well located. It is true that I have occupied these lots since they were sold to the school board, but in extenuation of that crime I have to urge that I have paid to the trustees $75 for the use of them. The statement that in October, 1875,1 had in my possession about $l- - of special school funds I think is true; but every dollar of it was accounted for in my settlements with my successor and the county commissioners. Further than this I will state that no man has ever demanded of me the payment of a just claim that is now unpaid, D. H. Patton. It has been my intention to support Mr. Thompson for State Sentor. However, in justice to Dr. Patton, and to myself as one of the trustees with him in the transaction referred to, I will say that his statement as above made with reference to the purchase of the lots is true, and I believe correct in every particular.

G. B. CHAPPELL.

So the attempt of Mr. Thompson to besmirch Dr. Patton falls to the ground unproductive of favorable results to the “agressive republican” of “mental vigor.”— The production of the Thompsonian Republican Senatorial Publication Bureau, referred to by Dr. Patton with the accusation that “a more unfair, dishonest and unjust statement could not be made,” necessarily would have “beslimed” Mr. Chappell, his co-trustee. If it has been the intention of Mr. C. to support Thompson for State Senator he has ample justification now for withholding that support. So mote it be.