Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-02-28
Core. pondence Of the Burlington Hawk Eye.

pooRS were discovered, yet the excitement coca
| stoned by it, still continues. Go where you may
into houses of public resort, into private habita
tons or the streets, the theme of conversation
is, the stolen poll books and the singular me ans b,
which they were brought to light. And it is trul,
gratifying to hear the sentiments of indignation ex
pressed by the honest Of all parties against thu
preparation of the theft.
Most of the citizens here, not inclined to be
lieve that Judge Mason was concerned in the orig
lnal "taking,' but they insist that as he font
in possession Of the stolen property, he must, t.
clear HIMSELF make exposure Of the whole affair
Judge Mason is one of Thomrson's counsel and at
torneys, for the purpose ofimpeaching portion G
Miler's votes, but it is certainly no part of hi:
professional duties to secrete stolen goods. The
attorney may defend the horse thief when indicted
without censure, but it is part of his duties Il
secrete the stolen horse y his stable.
My own opinion is that Thompson had the stoleI
books with him at Washington City, and that wher
ne procured 100 days to take testimony in, he for
warded them through mai, to Judge Mason for som,
purpose connected with his defence.
Hall, whose connection with the sstaking,'' ha,
been always strongly suspected, left this place tn,
next morning after the discovery, Under circum
stances of suspicion. which induce many to belev.
that he fled through fear lest Miller might cause
him to be arrested.
The mode of discovery is soon stated. Mason
had invited Miller to his office to accept the service
OF documents relative to the contested election.
his pantaloons pocket, Qeft sde,) were the paper.
intended for Miller; and in his pantaloons pocket
Fright side) were the stolen books with other pri
vate papers. Mason, by the most unaccountable
blunder, drew out the contents Of the pocket or
the right side, and handing the same to Miller re-
quested him to acknowledge service.n The resi-
of the story may be best told br Gen. Van Antwer,
and Joseph NJ. Beck, Esq, who witnessed the ex
posture, and whose dispositions Miller has taken
and secured in due form of Law, to be laid before
Congress.
The testimony was taken before Jesse B. Browne
Esq, Justice Of the Peace, of Keokuk, on the 2ls
Feb, 1850.
Joseph NJ. Beck being duly sworn, testified as
follows:
"Towards evening Of 10th Feb. inst, went to
the office Of Mason, Curtis 4 Rankin, for the pur-
pose Of examining some legal authority. found
there Judge Mason, Gen. Van Antwerp and Mr. Mil
Ter in conversation. had not been there long till
the subject OF the contested election was spoken Of
Judge Mason informed Mr.. Miller that he wished
him to accept the service of certain notices to take
dispositions to be used evidence in the matter OF
SAID contested seat. Mr. Miller EXPIRE ssea his will
hngnesS to comply with the Judges request. Judge
Mason produced either from his pocket, or his desk
(he was at the time near his desk) bundle OF ma
pers, and handed them to Mr. Miller. MIR Miller on
I'M th.,
made nistakei You hare ciren me pol books of
the KaaesrRie precinct, that Ran stole!' Judge Ma
son extended his srm though he desired to take
them back. Mr. Miller said some thing to this effect
1--WE will examine thcm.' Gen. Van Antwerp and
myself approached Mr. Miller and the Judge. Mr.
Miller declared the papers he held his hand, to be
the poll books Of the kanesvic precinct that were
stolen; and asked fudge Mason where he had OBJ
tanned them. The Judge replied 81 assure you, Mr.
Miller. Iedsne By them honestly, ba: am Hber-
~ to tell How. orof WHOM These are as near as
1 can recoliect his exact words.
Gen. Van Antwerp. Mr. Miller and myself exam
ined the papers. They purporscd to be the poll
books Of the Kanesville precinct. They srere sien
ed and dAested b. s proper officers far rs oLsr,u
ed. Gen. Van Antwerp took them into his nand
got up in good style. Mr. Miller pointed out the
signatures of the election officers and called our
attention to the Of many voters that appear
ed on the poll books, with whom he said he was well
acquainted. He likewise called attention to the
fact that there purported to be the Of b23 vo-
tiers recorded in the Books. | called the attention
of the gentleman 10 the fact that The books to me had
the appearance of haping been ,yet. Mr. Miller as
serted several times that the papers he held in his
vile precinct that had been stolen. Jrdgc Mason
made no denial Of The assertion Of Mr. Hn,' &C.. &c.
.. tsisned) JOSEPH NJ. BECK.
Gen. V. p: Van Antwerp being duly sworn, tss-
titled as follows:
81 was accidentally present on day before yes.
tesday in the Law Office of Messrs Mason, Curtis
Rankin. Judge Charles Mason, member of that
hrm, being present at the time, together with Dam
lei +. Miller Esq. and J. NJ. Beck, Esq. had been
conversing with those gentlemen, and sat with my
back or side towards Messrs Mason and Miller,
who had risen and gone to the back part Of the room,
near a desk and table, and continued conversng
with each other, when heard Mr. Miller excaim
emphatically, "Ths is the original poll book of
the kanesville precinct, which was stolen,'' or
words to that effect. The emphasis with which
these words were spoken by Mr. Miller attracted my
attention, when turned fully around towards them,
aud inquired whatit was he saying. He repeat
cd the declaration he had made, when rose from
my seat and approached them. Mr. Miller held in
his hand a written document, which he again al
lodged was the poll book referred to. Iexamned
it and made some remarks to the effect that the
signatures and names upon the paper were gener-
ally well written, adding that had heard il stated
that many of the persons who had voted at the
KaneSvile precinct were not entitled legally so to
do. MI miller thereupon run his finger over the
list OF names, pointing out considerable number
as belonging to individuals, who he stated, were
personally known to him and formerly citizens of
this county, who he knew to be entitled to VOTE
signatures Of the Judges of the Election placed
upon the first page of the document. and that it
was unquestlonahly the original Kanesville poll
books. Mr. Miller enqaired Of Judge Mason hc.c he
came in possession of the papcr2 The reply Of Judge
mason was, in substance the precise language
cannot rec0ect,) that il came into his hands hon
orably, or that there was no Improperly connected
with the transaction, but he did not feel himself at
liberty to state how it occurred, srheR or from
tchom he obtained it. miller then handed the
document to Judge mason, accompanied by some
remark which I do not recollect.''
(Sgned) V.P. VAN ANTWERP.
Respectfully, Yours, &C., =.
p. S.-Tvo hours ldtcr.-TIall has been heard of
since he left this place. travelling towards Burling
ton. He was unnecessarily frightened, as the pro-