Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-02-13
Important from Rnnzas.

The Search for the Election RetUl1is-lhe he
tlgRs found Under CatbOUa'S WoodPite.
The Kanzas correspondent, "a. D. R." Of the
Boston Journal, writing from Lawrence, February
8, says;
''At one Of the sessions of the legislative COM
mission for the investigation Of election frouds, in
this place, last Saturday, L. A. Mclean, (5etter
known as General Mclean, chief clerk under
John Calhoun in the Land Office, and notorious
from his connection with the border ruffian wars
was examined as a witness
He testified that he knew nothing of any frauds
committed either at the election OF December 81,
or that of January t. On being asked where the
returns of those elections were, he swoIe in the
most positive manner that they had been left by
Calhoun in his possession but sthat about the
18th or 10Th ult, a person unknown to him by
name, but whom ne believed to be a resident
of Platte city, Missouri called on him and repre-
scented that he had been sent by Calhoun for the
returns that he (McLean) delivered them to
the messenger who took them awvy that he had
not seen them since, but supposed them in Cal
houn's possession.
This was believed to be lie, manufactured out
of whole cloth. The commissioners therefore
made affidavit to this portion of his testimony,
and to their belief that the returns were still in
or near the surveyor generals office, concealed.
As Calhoun is absent from the territory, Judge
Miller of the Probate Court Immediately issued a
search warrant for the returns, and placed it in
the hands of Sheriff Sam Walker.
That gentleman, who is not often to be caught
mapping, had already set a watch on McLean's
movements aud knew the whereabouts Of the re-
turns. But there are fifteen or twenty clerks in
the land office, aud they had stored forty loaded
muskets in it with the evident intention of resist
ing any attempt from free State sources to obtain
the returns. On Monday, therefore, while the
clerks were at dinner, the caps mere quietly re-
nl0Ued from all the guns by an individual sent by
Walker They did not discover the fact until
too late to make the knowledge of any practical
value.
Yesterday, Sheriff Walker, with posse of
eight called at the land office, and presented the
warrant Mclean received Walker very blandly.
You are at perfect liberty, Captain, to search
wherever you like, But you will find nothing to
reward your pains if you search till dooms. day.
As staed before the commission, sent the re-
turns away several days ago.
Il guess that's mistake, general, replied
Walker, i think the returns are about these
premises
'Ha, ha, roared Mclean, relishing the Joke,
and rubbing his hands at the absurdity Of the
thing, and whereabouts
6 Under that GOOD pile" answered Walker,
looking him full in the eye. -
Mclean turned pale as death. His associates
began to talk of resisting, but soon discovered
the condition of their guns, and subsidized Nc
Lean at last gasped out:
II forbid the search until l can cali on law
yer to examine the writ !"
every we'll; call in your lawyer. was Walkers
cool response. "But meanwhile, just to SaUe time,
I'll go on with the search. You know you can
prosecute afterwards if my action is not legal
Boys, pitch into that wood pile"
And while McLeon was entering "solemn
protest" on the back Of the warrant, Walkers
men opened the wood-pile, and near the centre
of it found a place where there was fresh dirt.
After digging eight or ten inches, they came to a
box about foot square, bearing McLean's name
and labeled star candies.
They opened it and looked at the contents
enough to see that they were the returns in
question. And then Mclean had the audacity to
express surprise as to how the box got there
He may find out, one of these days, when he is
tried for perjury.
The box was broughtin triumph to Lawrence,
and delivered to Judge Miller. He held court
last evening. The returns we're opened sufici-
emily for Gov. Denver and Messrs. Deitzler and
Babcock to examine them. All these gentlemen
identified them as the returns of the elections Of
Dec. 81 and Jan. 4, which they had Joined Cal
houn in counting at his invitation.
They were not scrutinized infinitely enough to
ascertain whether anything had been added to or
taken from them since the formal counting.
That will be done this morning,
The court committed the returns to the eustO-
dy Of the Commissioners for the next ten days for
examination. At the end of that time they are
to give them TO the Governor. The inspection of
them is commencing just as the mail closes.
Dufendorf, Calhoun's brother-in- law, is here
on asUbpena, to testify before the Commissioners.