Sol. L. Long Arrested----1899

[ddurbin]

from THE MOLINE REVIEW   October 20, 1899

SOL. L. LONG ARRESTED

Taken Before His Honor, 'Squire Wyatt, in Irons

Charged With Everything, But is Convicted of Nothing

The town of Grenola was thrown into convulsions last Saturday on account of the arrest of Sol. L. Long, one of her best and most highly respected citizens, and one of Elk county's ablest attorneys.

It seems that the trouble is badly tainted with prejudice and a desire to persecute rather than prosecute, and dates back to about the middle of last July, when our esteemed friend, Long, as attorney for one Mr. Gulick, an ex-son-in-law to Mr. Yancey, who caused Sol.'s arrest, defeated the Yanceys in a law suit.

The present trouble seems to be something like this:  C. W. Yancey held an execution on some corn and was about to take it when Sol., with sympathy for his fellowman against whom the execution was about to be served, paid the judgment and costs in full, and received for same a bill of sale of the corn.

Like any other man would have done, Sol. proceeded to get his corn, but found said C. W. Yancey with help ready to oppose him.  What Sol. did or said we do not know, neither are we informed as to what Mr. Yancey and his force did, but at any rate on last Friday Yancey told Sol. that unless he (Sol.) paid Yancey $25 he would have him arrested.  Just at this time Sol. may have given vent to his feelings and said something -- most of folks would.

The next day, Saturday, Yancey had Sol. arrested for riot, disturbing the peace and unlawfully taking corn.  Or in common English, stealing corn.  Sol. made no forcible resistance, but yet insisted that force be used to take him to court.  He was accordingly hand cuffed and taken before Squire Wyatt at Cloverdale.  Sol. had never taken a grain of corn.  This the county attorney of Chautauqua county knew, and he also knew that it was very doubtful if Sol. had in any way conducted himself other than the gentleman he is, but the pressure was great on the part of the persecution, so he elected on disturbing the peace and quiet of the Yanceys.  Sol. stated his case, the jury found him not guilty and assessed the costs to Yancey.

Sol. will now get his corn and we may hear more of the business in the future.

We might add that Sol. gave bond Saturday when arrested and had his trial last Tuesday.