Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1905 — WAS STATEMENT INCORRECT? [ARTICLE]

WAS STATEMENT INCORRECT?

Trustee Thinks His Affidavit Did Not Infer That Nichols Notes Were First Mortgage. Trustee Chapman of the McCoy bankrupt estates, took exceptions to The Democrat’s remarks last week about that affidavit he made just a day or two before the last county election regarding the indebtedness to the McCoy bank of S. R. Nichols—republican candidate for re-election to the office of county treasurer —and which affidavit together with the “attest” of the Rensselaer Republican was used all over the county in efforts to secure votes for such candidate. Mr. Chapman gave The Democrat to understand that he didn’t want this paper to say anything about him whatever, and f said that, while the remarks made last week might be within the law, he wanted it understood that the moment we stepped outside the law in anything said regarding his * acts, fit wouldn’t be any ten cent show.” He was politely and. firmly informed that as trustee of the McCoy estates he was acting in a semi-public capacity; that his acts as such trustee were of public con-

cern, and that at any time The Democrat considered any of such acts deserving of criticism it would not hesitate a moment to criticise. This paper has been threatened too often in the past by those whom it has justly and fairly criticised to be bluffed out of saying anything or covering up the public acts of any one by threats of lawsuits, and it will continue right along the path that it has ever pursued in that direction. No man has ever had just cause to complain about the treatment accorded him by this paper, and we do not intend that he ever shall. Now, let’s consider this matter of this affidavit: Mr. Chapman did not think anyone would necessarily infer that the mortgages alluded to were “first” mortgages. Now this affidavit, as published and sent broadcast all over the county, was preceeded by a lengthy editorial from the editor of the Rensselaer Republican in which, in closing, it was said: “Moreover, this indebtedness to the bank is fully covered and secured by a mortKaffe 0n340 acres of good land. Thus neither Jasper county nor the creditors of the McCoy bank will lose a dollar through Mr. Nichols.” The editorial also stated in backing up its argument, “as is fully attested,” etc., by Trustee Chapman. Here is the affidavit, verbatim. State of Indiana. ) • County of Jasper, J James H. Chapman, being duly sworn upon his oath, says that he is the Trustee of A. McCoy and Company, Bankrupt, that from an examination of the Books of A. MeCoy and Company. Samuel R, Nichols is indebted to said firm, in the sum of (12,748.56, secured by mortgage.that said Nichols is also indebted to said firm as evidenced by notes and over drafts in the sum of 13.062.95. and that the above amounts, aggregating (15,811.61 is all of the indebtedness of Sa mu el R. Nichols that has come to the knowlege of said Trustee. James H. Chapman. Subscribed and sworn t , etc. Now, would not the public naturally infer, and did they not infer, in view of the statement of the Republican that it “was fully secured by a mortgage on 340 acres of good land and no one would lose a dollar,” and the affidavit of the trustee that $12,748.56 was “secured by mortgage,” that such mortgage was worth one hundred cents on the dollar, instead of thirty to forty cents, as they must now believe? The Democrat stated last fall and has since reiterated and will no doubt reiterate again, that when said trustee made the affidavit above he went outside his duties as trustee for the estates and inten tionially or otherwise used such office for political effect. The trustee admits that if these notes could be collected in full that it would be much better for the creditors than this compromise, and we submit that the affidavit made, together with the statements published in connection therewith, left no room to doubt but these notes were first mortgage notes and as “good as old wheat in the mill.”