Stories That Are Not True

On Tuesday of tbiw week, Fred Root, who works in Fred Brown's Main street saloon, appeared in Justice Pond'scourt to answer to a charge of assault and battery on Supt. Shankland, of the county poor honse. Root was convicted and was fined $10 and $8.74 costs, making a total expense of $18. 74. Root thought the luxury carne too high and has appealed the case to the crcuit conrt. To thia not uuasual pólice conrt case haugs a tale that has gained considerable attention throughout the state and which has been greatly exaggerated. The Jackson Patriot last week printed the following account of the circumstancs in the oase that are of most importance : ''The Washtenaw county house is to be subjected to a searching examination ou account of frequent rumcrs of cruelty to the inmates. Two weeks ago an old inau aged 76, uatned Root, came to Anu Arbur and complaiued to his son, Fred Root, who works in a saloon in ; this oity, of great Hl treatmont. The eider Root alleged that he was beaten ' aud kicked, and showed fresh scratches and bruises on his face and person in eorroboraton of his story The younger man was so wrought up, that when Supt. Shankland cime to town a few days ago Root feil upon him without warning aud gave him a bad pounding. Young Root" was arrested and will be tried next Thursday. Meanwhile the county honse will be investigated. " There is some truth in the above item, but more falsehood. Superintendent of the Poor Mason gives this account of the trouble at the poor house : "There is an old inmate at the county hous9, who is not very bright, and old mai' Root was accnstomed to pester him a great deal. This annoyed Supt. Shankland, who went to Root and told him he must leave the old fellow alone. Root, so Shankland says, refused to do o, and the superintendent told him if ie bothered him any more he would put him where he couldn't get at him. Root paid no attention to Shankland, whereipon one day, the superintendent took hold of hirn and shook him. That was the oniy punishment infiicted. Root came to the city, evidently, and told his son that Shankland had not been using him well. "The next time yonng Root saw Shankland it was on the streets here in Arm Arbor. He approached him from behind and before Shankland saw him, knocked him 'down. Before he could get up, Root knocked him down again, and the outcome was that Shanklaud was rather badly pounded. ' ' It seems íhat all the oruelty ai the poor house is contained in the fact that the superintendent gave Root a shaking that he deserved. There is no particular investigation going on and the papers of the state need expeot no sensation from the matter.