The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-06-18
A WOMAN In THE CASE.
MRS. jerks IN WASHINGTON AND
READYT TO TESTIFY BEFORE
THE COMMITTEE.
Her Story of How She Came to know
that the Alleged Sherman Let
ter Existed.
Especial TO the Y Y World !

Mr., Agnes d. jerks, OF New Orleans, who
either now is or formerly was the custodian
Of the famous sherman letter, has been
summoned 10 appear Mrs, Jenks has
been in the city for TWO or three DAYS, and
ready to testify when called upon. She
was therefore notified to be on hand to-day,
but did not come till late which gave rise
u the story that she had been captured by
the Matthews committee of the Senate She
was accompanied by her husband, Capt.
Thomas L. jerks, and remained in the wit
ncSs room till the committee adjourned
without calling her. II was late when the
other testimony was over, and il was deem
| ed best TO begin fresh IN the morning,
when the number Of the committee would
be completed by the return of chairman
| Potter.
Mrs jerks received a number Of callers,
I but declined absolutely 10 talk on the sub
| Jet Of the investigation except 70 the
committee, either for publication or in pri-
| yate conversation, and pronounced all in
( terviews purporting 70 have been held with
/ her unfounded She is dark haired.
| bri-ht-faced Young woman, below the me-
i
remarkable selt-poSsession. Her C)nyerSa.
ton al once showed that she was reliant
and spacious \ lawyer, however, after
listening to her for few moments. quietly
said that she was lone Of those OycrSmart
women who would be sure TO break down
on discrimination. Mrs.. jerks was
neatly attired in a short suit of gray bOu-
rettc. and wherever she went took Ter hus.
bands arm as they sauntered through the
Capitol Her first visit to Washington was
paid Las. winter. when she visited Secretary
Sherman and, il is believed, also saw Sena-
tor ConHling. Ii was published at the
time that She then threatened Mr.. Sherman
that she would make his letter 10 Anderson
and Weber public but she subsequently
wrote d card 10 the New York Times deny
ing that any such letter was in her posses
sion. She also wrote to Secretary Sherman
at that time or just before it, denying that
the letter was in her possession. These
denials were probably equivOca, because
Mrs. jerks knew where the letter was. il is
believed, and knew that if il was not in her
possession she was in position 10 control
it,
Secretary Sherman no doubt relics upon
her letter 10 him, but there is reason to be.
lievc that Mrs. jerks had informed no less
than three credible persons that she had
seen the letter and knew where it was,
though it was true that at that particular
time il was not in her possession.
The way which Mrs. Jenk, came to be- 80
prominent in this great political conspiracy
Is interesting ltappcars that when Weber,
who was the original custodian rf the let
ter was killed. Anderson. his colleague in
the agreement with sherman. wrote 70 NJ
jerks from New Orlcan, TO secure the JET.
ter. which he had heard was found on rno
body Of Weber when he Wa, killed NJ J.
va, not az home when Andersla's letter
came, but Mn, Jenk, opened it and at once
went ~ DOuaid>yillctO secure the Sherman
letter, -, requested She replied to Amber.
son that she had obtained il. but declined
- iucO,e II 10 him. Subsequently,. in
personal interview. she declined 10 rive !,
up, though, it j. said, she admitted not
only to Anderson but to New OrIcau.
lawyer now in Washington aud To ; =, But.
Ter, corro,p ondcnt'hcrr that she had yb.
'iihcd the letter that She had read il. that
il was important, and that il wa, under her
control. though not just then in her POI.
session.
Ms. Jcnk, called upon Judge Sh"Ilo
/ bargcr, Secretary Sherman, counsel i.,,
might and again to-day and the RrpVb.
lican, are declaring Tonight that She vii.
swear Tomorrow that She ha. never seen
any such letter, that she has never written
10 Secretary sherman on any subject what
ever, and that 80 far a. she j. concerned the
whole story is myth, If this should De
The case though it is hardly probable that
Il WILL II j. understood that there are four
" lis" witnesses who will swear to the pre-
else date, when Mr.. jerks admitted her
knuWcdg" Of the letter Mr. ,Ienks will
also be required to tell what he knows
about it, and between the husband and
wife the existence Of such letter. it /.
believed will be clearly established II
Mrs Jcnk, does not make the same state
mcnt now that she has repeatedly made
hcrrtoior" she will come into collision with
q queer mas, Of collateral testimony in the
possession Of the Democrats Her husband
is said 10 br Federal otlicchoIdcr in New
Orlran,
The preceding. Of the committee were
without interest to-day 80 far u. the oyi
dcncc va, concerned. The yoluhic rX.ap.
| puiumnu' clerk Of the treasury testified
further regarding the efforts to ct Amber.
son an Office, and declared that he never
/ had my conversation with Secretary Shcl.
/ nbn on the subject. and that when h, went