The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-07-19

less locofoco sheets are publishing most vii.
Lannon's misrepresentation Of the history of
the poll book stealing, perpctrated by the
chief mon OF that party some years ago, to
their everlasting disgrace. In order to post
up our old citizens, and inform new ones,
We make brief statement Of that transac-
ton, substsntiated By tho sworn testimony
OF witnesses in tho contested election case
betAecn Thompson and Miller, at the time
Thompson held Millcr's seat in Congress,
Tor the reason that Thompson's Attorney
held the poll books in his pocket.
Let. In the year ls4s Thompson and Miller
being candidates for Congress, several hun
dred Mormons 1t Kanesville held tho bal
snce OF power and decided the elections
then pending. Those Mormons were held 10
be legal voters in the District, aud Locofoco
oihcers established precincts and organized
election districts to receive their votes.
"a. Leading Locofoco candidates visited
them, canvassed their precincts thoroughly,
and labored faithfully for their votes.
Sd. A short time prior to the election the
Locofoco leaders suspected tina, the MOI.
mons, IN their admiration Of " old lack, :,
were about to vote the Wing ticket. In
consequences OF this suspicion, a consultation
was had among the Locofoco leaders. anu
Hall was selected as the most unscrupulou.
instrument to 60 to Monroe County. where
the poll books were to be returned and
counted to get clear Of them in some way and
at all hazards. Hall went, and in connection
with set OF Is graccless Locofoco scoundrels
as ever assembled for rascally purpose,
induced the clerk to reject the poll book and
refuse to count the vote Of the GAINESVILLE
precinct. In half an hour after this refusal
the poll book could not be found. although
lett IN the clerks charge on the table. and
she next day Hall found it in his carpet bag.
as ne swsars, without putting it there himself
Out as IS generally known put there by his
confederate Kister.
On account Of this fraud and robbery.
Thompson held the seat in Congress (which
the production Of this poll book would have
gwen to Miller) nearly the entire term.
Nothing vas heard Of this poll book BY the
pubic after it was laid upon the clerks ia
Die, Tor year or SO, when during the
course Of taking testimony, Judge Mason,
lTnompson's Attorney by mistake, handed
Miller the Kanesville poll book, instead Of
another paper he intended to have given
him.
After tho Congressional term had nearly
expired this original poll book, together with
large mass Of testimony, was presented to
Congress, and Thompson was, ousted and
Miller obtained his seat.
Below We give brief extracts from thu
testimony submitted to Congress in tho
case:
Goo. r. Styles, Locofoco Mormon law
yer, ct that time living in Ksosauaua, in
answer to interrogstores testified: 81 yisitsd
it 1.-THE Evansville Precinct) in July. 1s4s
for electioneering purposes. There werc
other persons went with me, to-wit: Josiah
u. Bonney OF Van Buren, county, Dr.. John
Sellnan Of Davis county, and William s
Townsend Of Lucas county.
"Josiah n. Bonney, DR.. John sellman
and myself stayed three or four davs and
then left, leaving William s. Townsend
there"
Isssroxatory ls-ssDid or did you no, sec
md oonler With J. G. Hall on your journey
70 Ksnssvills. aud did he not travel some
iistanoe with yoai''
Ans.-f'Hs went in company with Bonney
nd nysslf from Ksosauqus to Bloomfield,
Iistascs Of Is miles"
J. q. Hall testified that consultations wcrc I
"a anongst tho Democratic leaders prior TO
hs election, wha advised him 70 90 out and
y that this poll-bo0k Vas not counted, and