Alfred read and re-read this telegram. He was having the most strenuous
opposition of his business career, fighting one of the most unprincipled
of men, the head of a company that had attained great popularity
although on the decline at the time, and soon thereafter went the way of
all such concerns--those of the minstrel kind at least. It was known to
Alfred that the opposition had engaged a noted press agent and that this
agent had been on the route of Alfred's company. Alfred answered the
telegram, requesting a synopsis of the article. It was at the time the
notorious Hatfield gang of West Virginia, were the subjects of unusual
newspaper exaggeration. The write-up that had stirred Kaine was in
substance:
"PROMINENT MINSTREL MAN'S REAL NAME LEADS TO CONJECTURE HE WAS
ONCE ONE OF THE NOTORIOUS HATFIELD GANG. DOUBTS AS TO
HIS BRAVING THE LAWS OF WEST VIRGINIA.
"It is reported though his company is advertised, it will not
appear in any of the cities in this state. The depredations of
the notorious Hatfield family has made the name feared wherever
it is known. Officers have been on their track for years. The
majority of the desperate family seem to be secure in the
fastnesses of their mountain hiding places. So completely
terrorized are the mountaineers by this family that no arrests
have been made of any of the gang lately. However, should the
member of the family now masquerading under an assumed name
enter the state he will be arrested on sight and made to stand
trial for past deeds of the family. However, it is not believed
that the man will run the risk of entering the state. It is
rumored he is on his way to Canada."
Kaine supplemented his first telegram with a second one advising Alfred
that the evening paper would publish any statement he telegraphed, and
to make the denial strong.
Alfred wired him:
Engage counsel who will answer for me. I am prepared to give
bond in any amount.