The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-01-31
LOUISIANA RETURNING BOARD.


Wells Go. In Close QuartSrs--They Seek to Es'
cape by Getting up Conflict Between the Uni
ted States and State OHlcials, but Fall-The
Question is Submitted to Washington, and the
Hayes Government say II ls q State Affair
Wells not Found but Anderson on Trial.
New Orleans, Jan. 26-At one o'clock
Sheriff Houston, who had been in the
custom house for several hours, learning
Deputy Marshal had been putin charge
of the Collectors Office, which was locked
aud bolted, proceeded to the main doors
of the Office and there informed the
Marshal and Deputy Collector Tomlin-
son that he had a writ to execute against
Wells & Co., whom he had good reason
to believe we're confined in the room,
and he desired admittance. This was
refused, whereupon the Sheriff, who was
accompanied by two deputies, stated he
would force an entrance. Mr.. Tomlin.
son then summoned the chief deputy
marshal, who proceeded to the door Of
the collectors office and there ordered
the sheriff and assistants, as we'll as the
crowd that had gathered, to disband,-
The sheriff refused to leave, and Deputy
Marshal Wurzburger laid hands upon
him and claimed him and his deputies
prisoners. The sheriff and party sub
mitted to the arrest and were taken be-
fore Judge Billings, sitting in the United
States Circuit Court, but the latter said
he had nothing to do with the matter, as
the parties had not been arrested by vir.
tue of any process from his court. Mr.,
Wurzburger then took his prisoners be.
fore United States Commissioner Lane,
where he stated the case, when Mr.. Lane
requested him to reduce the subject mat
ter to an affidavit. Great excitement pre-
prevailed about the custom house. A
party of marines were brought from the
revenue cutter Dix and made to guard
the custom house. 1t was finally agreed
to submit the matter to the Washington
authorities and the following was tele-
graphed:
New ORLEANS, January 26.
To Hon. Charles Devens, Attorney Gen
eral of United States, Washington, d. c.;
Four persons, ]. Madison Wells, Thos.
G. Anderson, G. Cassenave and L. M.
Kenner, who are under information for
felony under the laws of the State, for
feited their reCognizanCe and have, l am
informed, taken shelter in the custom
house of this city. Writs for their arrest
are in the hands of the Sheriff, and he
went with writs to arrest them. Under
standing that they were shut up in a
room of the building, he was about to
force an entrance for the purpose of ar.
resting them, when he was arrested, as
am informed, upon an affidavit that he
threatened to open the door by force. l
am not aware of any Cession of exclusive
jurisdiction on the building, nor of any
law that would give immunity to often
ders against the State within its walls
Please inform me whether the General
Government has authorized or will sane
ton this conduct.
(Signed) H. N. OGDEN,
Attorney General of Louisiana.
About 10 o'clock tonight Marshal
Wharton received an answer to his dis
patch from the Attorney General, in
structing him not to interfere with the
execution of writs of State courts
Sheriff Houston was notified and found
Anderson, Kenner and Casanave in the
collectors Office, from whence they were
taken to the parish prison, where they
will remain till they furnish new bonds
of $4,000 each. Wells was not in the
custom house, but was seen on the morn
ing train of the Mobile road. 1t is be-
lieved he is still in the State.
On Monday morning Wells had not
been found and Anderson's case was
taken up. Anderson spoke bitterly Of
his treatment by the Administration.
TRIAL OF ANDERSON COMMENCED.
New Orleans, Sanuary 2S.-The Supe-
rior Criminal Court room was crowded
to-day when the three members of the
Returning Board, Anderson, Cassanave
and Kenner were brought to the bar
The counsel for T. G. Anderson filed a
motion for change of venue, alleging he
could not have a fair trial in this parish,
the prejudice against him having in
creased within the last few days. After
the argument Judge Whitaker stated
the jury had been drawn in the most i'm
partial manner, and was composed of
conscientious, honest men of unimpeaCh-
able character. What could the accused
demand more. The Court had said on
Friday it would not he trihed with, and
considering the motion for change of
venue an attempt at delay, denies the
same. The defence took bill of excep-
tions.
The Attorney General renewed tie
motion for a severance in the trial for the
accused. He said the State had wished
to try the case versus Wells first, but as
he has not come forth, he would move to
call up the case of Thomas G. Anderson.
Judge Cullom, of the counsel for the
defense opposed the motion for a sever
anCe, as 1t would only be detrimental to
the accused, depriving them of their
combined peremptory challenges.
The court granted the motion for a sew
erance, and the case of the State versus
Thomas G. Anderson was then consider
ed fixed for trial.
Witnesses were called and the empan-
melting Of the jury proceeded with.
After four jurymen were empannelled
the court adjourned at 10 p. m. Ander-
son ives remanded to prison; CassanaVe
was released on $4,000 bond and Kenner
is in Jail awaiting bonds.