The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1877-11-22

well. tor Patterson paid that in insu>
rance stock which subsequently prov
ed to be bogus, and utterly worthless.
Mrs. Ledgwick wrote saying that
Patterson had never paid the debt.
She adds, "Mr. Pattcrson's conduct
was rascally, as you probably know.
have never had any communica-
tion with him since Mr.. Ledgwicks
death. Never has be written word
about Iedeeming the bogus stock"
The Ledgwick here referred to was
the brother of General John Ledg-
wick, OF the Army of the Potomac.
In the spring of 1862 there was to
be chosen a United States Senator
from Pennsylvania. The Democrats
had majority of one on joint bal
lot. Cameron was the Republican
candidate, and Buckalcw the nomi-
nee of the Democratic caucus. Cam
eron did not despair He knew the
power of gold, and lie determined to
buy one Democrat to vote for him or
two to absent themselves on the day
of election. He marshalled his clan
His chief strikers were Jim Burns,
fellow named Brobst, and our dap.
per rogue John Patterson. The plot
was laid in secret, but the Democrats
were on guard, and every doubtful
man was watched, night and day;
Cameron's only chance was to buy
man hitherto above suspicion. Af-
ter careful deliberation, q member
from Clcarfeld county, DR.. Jeffer~
son Boyer, was selected as tie prey,
and Brobst and Patterson were in
structed to 60 for him. They went,
they saw, and they thought they had
conquered. Boyer was colnplaccut,
but detailed tho risks he must run,
in less of reputation or personal vio-
lence After considerable angling
and nibbling, Patterson, Boyer and
Sin on met at the house of Don Cam
eron, the present Senator, and Si~
mons son. Here it was agreed that
Cameron should give Boyer $4,000
for his vote. The clan Cameron was
happy; Patterson was jubilaut. But
things didn't pan out according to
exl lectatiun. When the election
came on, Boyer, who was q shrewd
fellow, rose in his seat aud voted for
Buckalew (who was elected by two
votes0 and then, Immediately after
tie result was announced, lie stated
that an attempt had been made to
bribe him, and demanded a COM
nittee Of investigation. This was
appointed, and Boyer told his whole
story before it. Patterson and
Brobst admitted having had frequent
talks with Boyer, but of course wee
hemently denied the bribery propo>
eition, for men who steal will lie, and
Patterson does both. The majority
OF the committee, however, emphatic
ally but decoriousl y intimared that
these worthless had perjured them
selves in denying the impeachment.
DR.. Boyer's testimony was fully COR
federated by disinterrested witnesses
and the House on the 14th of April,
by vote of 48 to As, passed the fol-
lowing resolution:
"REsoLvED, That the Governor be
requested to instruct the Attorney
General of this commonwealth to in
stitute criminal proceedings against
Simon Camaron, William Brobst,
John j. Patterson and Henry Thom~
as."
These proceedings were never inc
stituted because the Attorney Geu-
eral OF Pennsylvania was no better
than the Radical Attorney Generals
of the Southern States.
Patterson has ever happily blended
Ills private and his public crimes, so
that it is difficult to say in which ca
reer he shines the most. His crown
irln nntrann WAS al attnnnt 10 atnal