The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-07-17
Letter from John Quill.
GENERAL BUTLEE's lNVEsTldArING
COMMITTEE

WAsIINGTON, June 9Th. viii ID"
perceived from the following report OF
the procecdingsofthcin investigating com
mittce to-day, that General Butler IS
pushing his inquiry vigorously, and |
with prospect of success. 1t is evident |
from the following examination, that |
somo startling disclosures will be made |
concerning the means used to secure the |
votes of the renegade Senators for the
Presidents acquttal.
Mr.. Joseph Pidgeon was placed upon
the stand to-day and examined by Mr..
Butler.
Mr.. pidgcon having been sworn, Mr.,
Butler produced a telcgraphic dispatch,
and said:
"Joseph do you recognize that"
"Ecs sir"
at is in your handwriting, is it not?'
"Itis.
"Obligc me by reading it to the COM
mittee."
"pd rather not )" said Joseph blush
ing.
"Sirrah you must. You admit of
having sent it?"
eyes sir; but don't like to read ii.
1t don't concern anybody"
"We'll sec about that. Are you go
ing to read it or amt you?'
Pshaw! that's got nothing TO with
impeachment, ! tell YOU"
"Caitiff! remember where you are.
Don't answer back. ] will read to the
Committee and expose your villainy."
"Oh look here now, don't 90 to read
ing that thing out loud here, you know
| IL
"ssilcncc scr-lavc! Gentlemen this
dispatch reads us follows: BE Wary
Smith Prcs't Johnson's all right"
go Pshaww said Mr.. Pidgeon, "that
amt there. You don't know how to
read writing. You ought to spell all
the hard words. That says: Miss Mary
Smith-Staid ut Johnson's all night
johnson keeps II grocery and lives on c
street. He's friend of mine"
"S'dcath! pidgeon, remember you're
on oath. If you don't tell the truth l'll
have you manacled and plac, in the
dungeon beneath the capitol moat!'
"Bul tell you, you don't read it
right. BE Wary Smith! lla, ha! Why
that's ridiculous; yes it Is"
Young man, am not TO he trlllcd
I with. ON your oath now, who is smith,?
Mover you mind now who Smith
is."
"Scc here, PidgCOn, Pm dangerous
, when get mad. If you don't answer
:, my questions, I'll Coniinc you III Vim
. ME Ream'S roonl, and get her to mak'
J.. statue Of you; will, upon my 81
cred word ofhonor," said Butler with:
h iicndish scoWl.
Joe pidgeon shuddcred, and the colo
V sweat stood upon his brow nj tht
d thought orthc frightlul humiliation an,
81 ilering of this punishment.
q "But / tell you," said he, " that yol
- don't know how TO read. That's address
y ed TO Miss Mary Smith,"
Gcntlcmcn," said Mr.. Butler, riS
10 ing" we will trifc with this perjurc'
|. traitor no longer. In this letter is CON
= tanned the evidence of the iniamy {
"A three Senators. have at last unrivo
>. led this vile plot. | will rcal you fla
ii Whole Of the despatch.
he lIoTY smith President johnson
IN all right. Senator FoWlcr'H cOnecntet
IN Check for ten thousand Hartford Ban
10 Sure now Of Grimes; CndcaNor To g
Us Trumhull over. Apply 10 Th. Weed.
j. pIDGEON.
., "What do you think Of that" askc
Dt Mr.. Butler.
al gu Unanswcrablc," said the conimi
re tee.
sh "IIa Ia la laughed Mr.. pidgco
"Now who did you send that Ia
Who is SMITH" inquired Mr.. ButIcr
'i "lIa! ha! hu ha! !" laughed ridgco
y, Mr.. Pidgeon was becoming lystcrlc.
:" "Young man, This lcvity is mtimcl
''e answer my question:"
"IIa! ha! ha! oh thundnr-r-r.r
W. said Mr.. Pidgcon.
W "Scrgcant.at-arms, ,rcmOVcthi knaN
w. Chain him TO the hair mattrc,, i'll I
~ committee room with the tapestry q
w. pct allow no one to SEQ him bur
'' friends, and give him nothing to eat b
-, the dclicacip- OF the season. Wen s
~ -" what severity Will do," said the mali
~ nant Butler.
,n Mr.. Pidgcon was completely mm1
w. ned. lie got on his knees and prayed
~ be allowed 10 testify.
~" w. "Gcntlemcn," said he, 81 will rc
,n ~ that document. Mr.. Butler made an;
.-uu' surd mistake. Well this is ridiculol
V" m Ila! ha-ha-"
,"' ,' "Stop!n said Mr.. Butler, cutting
49, laugh short, "nO more ill-Nmod mir
,nn young man."
,ho "Well,n said Joe, "you know |
Wv. W" courtiug II girl named Smith, an'
So, camc out TO get the old mans conso
- Hos here, you know, and she said
'i'e 'm was agreeable if he was. And >
~, I asked him, and he said he didn't cal
thn cent, and tclcglaphcd 10 her OBI
,,n1 @ me-" said Mr.. pidgcon, taking the {
Na patch from Mr., Butler, "rhis is W
NV m | wrote. admit the penmanship
i1s little rough"
,a, "lHSs MdrB Smith :--Staid at JC
tho sons all night. Your Fathers cons
,hn ed. gave him ten thousand llci
,Is thanks. You are now mine fore
ro, Troubles all over. Appoint day
Io,hi Tho Wedding. 81. PInGEoN
ain, I "rhat's all, gentlemen. a mal
ME. my situation don't care particle
tha impeachment. No, he dou't 'Be
,,na ry Mr.. smith, Well that is rich,
,,aa how;" and Mr.. Pidgcon laughed
,,,i, moderately.
~ Mr.. Butler looked somewhat chai