The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-01-28
The Louisiana investigation.

y
Wits filed by the Conservatives counsel
in the case of Natchltoches. He stated
that all the papers from which the board
made their report were taken charge OF
/ by the clerks, and he knew nothing di-
rectly of the disposition made of the pa
pers after the board had completed their
session in relation to the White League
matter andsBowie knife outrages in
! Rapldes parish, and he cited the case OF
one alleged killing followed by another,
and rumor said that two persons who
witnessed the killing were lacerated with
! Bowie knives, to prevent their disclosing
anything; that it was the work k Of the
White League, and that in another par
ish their mode of frightening negroes was
! to fire brick bats or something similar at
them from corner. Touching his state
ment regarding the attempted assassina-
tion'o White, Mt the City Hotel, Sunday
November 20, he stated in substanc
that on the Sunday named he was at he
City Hotel eating dinner alone, but
was Joined by friend with whom he
had made an appointment, and that dur
ing the meal the friend whose name he
did not give, was called hurredly from
the dining room, remaining some time,
and that finishing his meal he arose and
was leaving the room when two strangers
who were sitting at the opposite table
drinking. wine hurriedly followed
him within a few steps of the door, where
gentleman who, with his wife and
| daughter were sitting near the door lead
ing to the hall, arose and on their way
out, reached the door just in time to
step between the Governor and the two
men, and as he walked in the hall he
met his friend, who, somewhat excited
hurried him down stairs to the pavement
and there told him that he had been
called from the dining room by one of
his friends who had stated that an attempt
was to be made to assassinate the Cover
nor, and that the two strangers were
doubtless the assassins, and that no one
about the hotel knew them; the only
thing known Is they were registered as
from Memphis, Tennessee. He and his
friend went to his room in Custom
House street, when the matter was talked
over and finally it was decided that he
should leave the hotel and find accom-
modations elsewhere, which was done
Counsel then desired the name of his
friend, that he might be subpoened, but
Mr.. Wells declined giving it, stating
that he had many reasons, one of which
WAS the injury that might resultto him,
but if permitted he would consult with
him about giving his name. Counsel in
sisted when the chairman stated that he
had been informed by II gentleman, and
prominent business man here, that there
were many persons in the city, who had
valuable information that they would be
glad 10 place in possession of
the Committee, but were they
to appear as witnesses before
committee, their business would matrri-
ally suffer, and he cited the case of one
Mr.. Oglesby, who testified before the sub
Committee and who, for that had lost
nearly all his custom; and from that fact
the committee would, perhaps, be depriv-
ed of much information.
Mr.. Mari did not consider that one
would suffer for giving truthful evidence
before the committee; that it would be
as safe to testify here as it would be in
Boston. If the witness Swore To an un-
truth there. he would be condemned, and
it was the same way here; that there had
been lots of talk about assassination, but
none had been proven.
General Campbell thought differently.
No business man could come here and
testify to the truth without losing his
business rs well as his standing, and that
he would bo frowncd down as public
enemy, or in other words, ostracised.
Judge HOar remarked that he did not
wish it understood that the party who
impaired information to the committee.
gave it as his own experience, but that
it was the general impression made by
him
Governor Wells having the stand, Gen
eral r. G.. Anderson was sworn, and recit-
ed his political history as follows:
Was member of the Returning Board,
and generally affirmed the statements
made by Gov. Wells. He emphatically
denied the assertion imputed to him by
Mr.. Zacharie, whom he knew would
correct the statement when ho refres he'd
his memory; stating that 1t was not true
that he had asserted that he had Sl0O,-
600 worth of claims, which he got for
$4,000; nor did he ever say anything
positive as to the Democratic majority,
as alleged, but that he might have con,
veved the impression before the final
action of the Board from the daily papers;
that it was his idea that the Democrats
would have the Lower House, but had
never made a statement after complllnS
the return. In regard to Mr.. Arroys
sirning the returns, he thought he must
be mistaken; he had known him Tor
twenty wears Us an honest man, and BE-
li,yed he was honest still; never h' d
anv conversation with Packard or hel-
logg, saying the Conservatives would
have a majority. Witness further test
fod as to the Returning Board.
Governor Wells was ther called and
examined as to the assassination matter.
In reply to aquestion by Judge Wheeler,
he said that political influence had
nothing to do with his action as Il
member of the Returning Board, nor
were decisions of the Board governed by
| such influence. Mr.. Campbell then pre-
sented tabulated statement OF the vote
of all the parishes in protest, and giving
A compilation of both the coIored and
white vote since 1867, and offered 1t as a
letter of reference, which was received
and handed to the opposing counsel ior
! examination.
Mr.. J. B. Zuntz was placed upon the
stand bv the Democratic counsel to rcbut
the testimony by ex-Governor wells IN
regard to the attempted assassination at
the CITY Hotel. Mr.. Zuntz stated IN
substance that at the hotel on the day
named there were two drunken men,
and fearing something might occur from
men being drunk, he advised Dr. ScIuSSs
to take MIR. Wells out, which was done
did not knew this to be a fact but was 50
told by Mr.. Watson the hotel proprietor
Mr.. Pugh, retired planter, now
/ took the stand, and in answer to
question, said he knew General
Anderson; had..a conversation with MN nun
ON December 18th, when Anderson tod
- ~. 49,, ,,,,uld ha "A Democratic