The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-03
JOSEPH q. BEsrER,s MISSION.
Sent by Postma ster-;;eneraI Jewell TO Create
Reign of Terror In Alabama.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-The Committee
on Expenditures in the Post ONCE Department
had before 1t to-day Joseph q. Hester, and cx-
amincd him IN regard to his operations In SUM
ter county, Alabama, in the fall Of 1871. He
was sent 10y the Postmaster General TO create
reign Of terror aud thus make sure the
election " Charles Aranils Have. Hester,
Notwithstanding ne ureteud- to hav been con
yettod from his WICK waNs cOuld not reir.in
from stretching tho long how cCca-i m
ally o day. Although his story was In the matn
true. he admitted that he was taken to the
Post Once Department by Hays and White, Two
members 81 Congress from Alabama, and intro
duccd to postraster-General Jewell. The OBJ
iect Of hts visit was to have Hester sent to
sumter county, ostcnsibly to investigate
The Ivev murder Ivcy waa a negro mail agent,
who was Killed on postal car. and It. was as
sumcd that the murdercrs werc ku-klux or
White Leigucrs. Hester had as an assistant one
Reach, who WIS formerly In he revenue service,
but WAS detailed Tor this work. and acted under
Instructions from the Attorney General, VIII
saw tho Postmaster. Gcocral he told
him that he would not servo for the regular pay
OF special agents, which Is Sltw per annuh.
goine 70 risk his lie for nothing: Nr. jewell
gsked him what pay he wanted and Hester said
SO per dav and g iQr expenses, win all
mcnts allowed. After some discussion
Mr.. Jewell agteed to Hestcr's terms, end
the fellow departed. He admitted to-day that he
aid create a reign " terror IN sumter county,
and that nc drove hundreds cf Innocent white
l
their lives In this way rather tuah to he dragged
hundreds OF miles away from tier homes TO
Mobile. and be at the mercy of IeJerh ohcialt
VINO, IN the past, had been hardheaited and
The following bills for salary and expenses
were rendered Nv Hester:
ne tarei Ndie, 70 Jo'sph q; H.',,ss Dr..
| For services rs special agent ot Post once
Dcphrtm mt durng the months Of Seutp uiDer
anu October. 1874. At $1,000 per mum, nom ~ q,
For nfty.Sven dave. s. Ger Diem ........ ls5 20
For advances disDu scd for expenses ....... ga 20
Less amount advanced Sept L. is5i......... 500 90
Basncc Observation-Disclosures. sqo5 %
chang able TO transportation. Adjusted and stated
" lie ifAef state, to ID q. H.sisr Dr..
| For services 81. SPECIAL H-tht Of II-t uh'e
| Dtpiftul, nt lurin4 tue month VI November,
rd is r ' 49, At ~ 70 per- e ' i3S g 8
For auvtucrs dlsburaeu for xpcn-Cs........ l. -
FOR extra expense as per acknowledgements. fe2 a.
Total k'S0 IA
The voucher for extra expenses ia as follows
Us. rot QG.es Depoment~L q. Msrss, Dy.,
For extra eH pensos Incurred under ordefs from
| Iostmest,fGcncra 90 the inv susstlOn u
the lNey MURDER case "a Alabama AMI artUst
OF t"O Vl t.t tsil. cuir-ci Mitt the y fpt- 49, -.
Uatun Of the same. tiy2 ~
certify upon honor thii the above account l. cor.
rect as stated. j. q. HESTER, spec Al Agent.
ALLOW sip2Ie. MAEsn Vii jrvEfi,
Northumberland.
The Postmastcr- General Ia allowing Hester to
| be paid was guiity Of nagrant violation OF law
section a OF revised Statutes at large Is as FOL
| lows
The Posma1i ter General may employ two spccia
SCENTS Tor hc fat nc coast and suc luubrr Of OtLc
scchl ag ne AZ ga, gua ~ tue se'ieo sd the s.ie
Co ttp AT tae rate 81 not more than sixteen hu.-
trci d1 ltr- year each Ann sui Doe owed for tray
clunf sod Incidental tN hsus. while ctunlY ehpluyc
tAC service, not eNCcc lug nNc collars per Iy