Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-09-13
WHOLE NO. 100.

Or siue towards Messrs. Mason and Mil.
Ter, who had risen and gone to the back
part OF the room near desk and table
and continued conversing with each 9th.
er, when heard Mr.. Miller exclaim EN-.
phatically, "this is the original poll-book
of the Kanesville precinct, which was
stolen!" or words 10 that effect. The
emphasis with which these words were
spoken by Mr.. Miller attracted my at.
teniion. when | turned fully around to-
wards them, and enquired what 1t was
he was saying. He repeated the decla.
ration he had made, when | rose from
my seat and approached them. Mr..
Miller held in his hand written docu-
ment which he again alleged was the
poll-book referred TO. / examined them
and made some remark to the effect that
the signatures and name, upon the pa
per were generally well written, adding
that had heard it stated that many oil
the persons who had voted at the Kanes-
vile precinct were not entitled legally to
DO so. Mr.. Miller, thereupon, ran his
finger over the list of names, pointing
out considerable number as belongi ng
to individuals who, he stated. were per-
sonally known to him, and formerly Cit
izens of this county, whom he knew to
be entitled to vote. He stated, also, that
he knew perfectly well the signatures of
the judges of the elec.ion placed upon
the first page of the document, and that
it was unquestionably the original Kanes-
vile poll-book. Mr.. Miller inquired of
Judge Mason how he came in possess
ion of the paper. The reply of Judge
Mason was, in substance-the precise
language cannot recollect-that it came
into his hands honorrbly, or that there
was no impropriety connected with the
transaction, but he did not feel himself
at liberty to state how it occurred, or
where or of whom he obtained it. MIR.
Miller then handed the document to
Judge Mason, accompanied BY some re-
mark which do not recollect.
V.P. VAN ANTWERP.
Sworn and subscribed to before me,
and in my presence, on the day, at the
PioCC, auu Witiiiu uiC HOuTS Ill tHdt De-
half aforesaid. j. B. BROWNE, J.P.
Next we have the evidence of J. G.
Hall, democrat who glories in his
unblushingly avows his
own participation in this infamous trans
action, and who. in his deposition in
'olves others as co-conspiraiors with
himself.
We give the whole of his testimony
without one word of comment at this
lime. Its own perusal will sufficiently
demonstrate its character.
Jonathan c.. Hall being duly sworn as
| witness on behalf of the said Daniel
F. Miller, testified as follows:
propounded By d. =.
Miller.
First. Were you at Abba, the seat
,f Monroe county, Immediately after
he August election of ls4s! If yea,
how soon thereafter were you there, and
how long there!
Answer. | was there. arrived at AL
,ia about 3 or o'clock, p. m., on Sat-
lr,lay succeeding the election; remain
I'd there until Tuesday morning follow
ng; during Sunday was absent from
own.
Second. Were you there before aud
It the time that James Sloan, the return
ng officer of Kanesville precinc., bro't
nio the office of the clerk of the board
,f commissioners of Monroe county
he election return or poll-book of said
kanesville precinct! If yes, state all
you know about the rejection of said
ooll.books by said clerk. and Of ,he
disposal thereof.
Answer. | was there before the return
was made, as understood the returning
officer arrived at { lbia on Sunday even
ng succeeding the election. On Mon
lay morning after, some person came to
ne and stated that the return was about
10 be made, and requested me to go to
he Office of The clerk of the board Of
and aid in the argument.
went to the clerks Office. Mr.. How.
Ill. DIR Flint, VIM. Pickett. and some
iiteen or twenty others, were present.
cannot say whether Mr.. Sloan was
presen, or not. considerable conyer.
,aiion took place in regard TO the propri-
sty of the clerk receiving the return of
he Kanesville election. | advised the
clerk not TO receive them, but to treat the
acts of the commissioners Of the county
the precinct of Kanesville as
! nulliiy, as it was not in Monroe coun-
~. Arguments were adduced by Mr..
Howell on the other side. In a short
lime Mr.. Sloan advanced and presented
a paper. apparently sealed package,
and offered il to the clerk as the returns
Of Kanesville precinct. 1t was laid on
the table where the clerk was sitting
The clerk said that he did not believe
that he was satisfied. that the precinct
was not in Monroe county, and that it
was not his duty to regarl it, and that
he would not receive it as return
Some words passed. when question
was asked, what should be done with
them. replied, "S,0eep Them omt of
doors-they arc waste paper" or words
TO that effect. Some one asked who
should take shsm; | think Mr.. Pickett