An Obscene Letter
Troubles Between Warring Licking County Families
We gather the following from the Columbus Post of Saturday. The George Green referred to and his family are well known in this city and are reputable people.
George Green is a citizen of Pataskala, Ohio, over in Licking county, and Perry Shaffer is one of his neighbors in the matter of locality. They have not enjoyed each other socially as two neighboring families should have done. In short they are on the 'outs,' and from present indications they will keep that way. Friday Green came into the postoffice, and pulling out a letter showed it to Mr. Krumm and asked what could be done with a man who would write it.
The letter contained a valentine, on the back of which was written all sorts of abominable things, in addition to cuts not fit for human eyes to gaze upon. The valentine was sent to the family some time before, and the children recognizing the handwriting sent it back. In a few days it came back with the obscene matter written on the back of it. Green was instructed to send the letter on to Washington, which he will do. It is claimed that Shaffer has made some serious reflections on a daughter of Green, which has added to the bitterness of the families.
Newark Daily Advocate, March 11, 1889, page 4