The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1877-03-02
WHAT WELLS AND KENNER SAID.

In the testimony given by Duncan
L. Kenner, we have the following ac-
count Of what transpired between that
gentleman and Wells, two shrewd ira
ders, in reference to the sale and pur
chase of the vote of this State:
"GoS. Wells said that he was par
tisian, and could not brake his party |
without great personal sacrifice, as he
was poor man. WelIs's allusion to
his poverty led me to suppose that he
alluded to the loss of his Office, and l
asked him what office Gov. Packard
could offer that would con- pensate him
for the hatred of his people. Wells re-
piled that he did not care for Office,
! that he was too old to hold Office, and
that the tenure of the Office wesstoo in
secure anyhow, but that arr S5fapen-
sation he might receive fof mis- course
| must enable him to retire to his plan
tation in IsaPides parish. I said that
! kellogg and Packard would offer him
anything, but Wells replied that this
was a big thing--the biggest thing he
ever handled promise would not an
| swer this time, as he was determined to
make it tell. Wells admitted that it
was great deal easier to count i'll
!
to name some amount which would
compensate him, and said that the graf
itule of the people of Louisiana must
| certainly compensate him for any loss
| he might experience at the hands Of his
party. Wells refused to name a sum,
saying that he must first consult with
some one, and, upon being pressed to
state with whom he proposed to consult,
| mentioned Tom Anderson.
ssSome six or seven days later met
Wells, Calvert and Anderson on the
steps of the City Hotel. Wells drew a
bundle of letters from his pocket, as
sorted them, and passed one to me, say
ing, sThis is for YOU The letter mad
no superscription and no signature, and
the substance Of it was, Il have not
heard from you. What does it mean p
1 went down the hotel steps, crossed
the street, and went to a drug stree.
There asked for Il piece of paper and
wrote note to Wells, telling him to
meet meat a certain room in the City
Hotel. sent this note to Wells, who
was at dinner ut the City Hotel. l do
not know what / did with note that
Wells handed me. The meeting took
place, and Wells said he doubted
whether he could do anything, because
Anderson doubted my ability to raise
4 large enough amount Of money. !
asked how much Anderson wanted
and Wells replied half a million. ]
said that this was perfectly ridiculous
that did not want them to do any
thing wrt ng, and that if this demand
was insisted upon they might as well
drop the mater. Wells then said,
sNait {; few days. About Nov. 80 a,,-
: other meeting took place, and Wells
. asked what expected him to do. ]
replied that all that was wanted was q
fair count of all the votes cast. Wells
{ answered that lie could not do that; thai
o he must throw out some parishes; but
that he could leave enough votes tt
elect Nichols. He said he would ,9t
. that if / would place in hands $500, DOC
$ in greenbacks. / replied that l hat
not the money. This ended the inter
view, and did not see Wells agai,
until after the PRONUNCIATION Of the vote
u Some four or five days after the pro
y mitigation met Wells and some othe
J. gentlemen at Red River steamboat
!, landing, and asked Wells whether II,
was going home. Wells replied tina
he was going the following week. II
e talking, myself and Wells differed il
opinion, and l expressed ;lstonishmen
and regret at Wells course. Wells
r turned around, and looking me full il
d the face, said, sWhat could do: You
@ had no money! l said 1 hoped tina
Wells had not trusted any promise
from Kellogg or Packard, but haC
Nude himself safe. To which Wells
r replied, 'You bet,' or words to that
: effect"