People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 March 1896 — An Humble Apology. [ARTICLE]

An Humble Apology.

In the last issue of the Pilot the following item was printed: Although court has been in session but one week it has disposed of some important business. J. Albert Overton will be taken to Michigan City (by the cars)Yiext Sunday. < It was written with purely humorous intent and without suspicion that the suggestive meaning could be taken in a serious sense by any reader, or that it could injure the good name of a most exemplary young man, for whom we have only the highest regard, and whose greatest sin against society is the setting of a rather high standard of excellence. In as much as Mr. Overton has taken serious exception to the item, it is evident that its publication was an error of judgment which we sincerely regret. It is well understood that Mr. Overton is somewhat given to joking himself, and he and his friends have during the past months made frequent use of the Pilot in matters not wholly serious; and in partial justification of our offense, we would say that the joke (?) was not original with us, but was one of Mr. Overton’s own happy thoughts, having made this remark to us: “You might say that I will be taken to Michigan City next Sunday,” undoubtedly believing that it was the most ridiculous thing that could be suggested, and keenly appreciative that the same expression could be made of any unfortunate who was about to take up an enforced residence in the state institution at the place mentioned, except that Sunday is an unusual day to undertake such a journey, though it is the usual day for innocent excursionists to do so. Further, the offending item was shown to Mr. Overton’s brother, and at his suggestion the words “by the cars,” were inserted. Seriously, we intended no harm, and we do not believe that any has been done.