The Anonymous Libel: A Letter from Chicago Targets Seattle's Legal Elite

Within the past few days many citizens of Seattle and other cities in the territory have received through the mails a circular headed 'A leaf in the biography of J. C. Haines, of the law firm of Strove, Haines & McKenney, Seattle, W.T.' Some of the reasons why he absconded from Chicago are given. The covering in each instance bears the Chicago postmark. The statement is anonymous, but by its phraseology is clearly the work of a writer accustomed to the use of legal forms of expression.

Under the heading 'Above' there follows a rehash of stories concerning Col. Haines' career in Chicago which have been reported here from time to time during the past eight years, and which have been refuted again and again by the most reliable and positive testimony. It is alleged that Col. Haines 'absconded from Chicago between two days that he failed to account for moneys held by him as administrator of an estate; that he was confined in the common jail of Cook county; that he collected money belonging to certain persons which he failed to pay over, etc., etc.'

It is almost too easy to say that all of these allegations are simply and absolutely false. Col. Haines' character as a lawyer and a man in his former home is identical with his character here, where he enjoys in a special degree the favor and confidence of his fellow citizens. There was, indeed, some dispute between Col. Haines and a local Chicago court concerning the disposition of certain trust funds held by Haines as administrator. The latter declined, by advice of his attorney, to obey a specific order of court, and when the matter was carried to a superior court he was sustained.

There was not the slightest question of Col. Haines' integrity in this or any other matter; but the incident has been exaggerated into an alleged scandal by evil-minded men to serve evil personal and political purposes. That this last blow at the character and standing of Col. Haines should be anonymous, a blow in the dark from the hand of an unseen foe, is in keeping with other anonymous communications to the same end... The people of Washington Territory have not information concerning the low nature and they hold it in that profound contempt which the natural and human feeling toward malevolence and cowardice demands.