The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-07-25

j. w. Armstead (colored), of West Fell
ciana Parish, testified he made affidavit be-
fore the Returning Board; sa,d it was pre-
pared in the Custom-house. Witness never
read it, and now denies many of the state
ments made therein.
Andrew Duncan (coloredl, Republican,
of West Feliciana, testified regarding the
organization of the Democratic cOlored
clubs in the parish. He believed from the
first the Democrats would carry the parish.
The negroes complained of bad government,
etc. He made an affidavit il the Custom
house after the election. The affidavit was
not read to me. Didn't know what they put
IN the paper. The affidavit being reau by
Mr.. Stenger, witness den ed most of the
statements made therein, and said he did
not authorize them. Never made such
statements.
Thomas Steward (colored), of West Felici-
ana. Went to St. james Parish before the
election and did not vote. After the elec.
tion he was subpenaed to come to the city
and make affidavit. They took me to the
Custom-house, but asked me no questions,
and kept me there three days. hey called
e to sign paper, and then swore me. /
didn't know what they put down; they
didn't read it to me can't read myself. The
affidavit as published being read to toe wit
ness, he denied almost every important
statement made in i saying he didn't tell
them anything like that-didn't tell them
anything. Witness knew of many colored
men who, like himself, Joined Democratic
clubs.
Several witnesses were introduced, at
New Orleans, on the 18th, to prove the bad
character of Hiram Smedley, who testified
few days ago that he had seen Joseph w.
Jones sign Weber's name to the Anderson
Weber agreemen that no one else was
present, and Jones is now dead.
Ex-District Attorney Beckwith testified
that he had refused Smedley as Juror on an
important case, because he didn't think he
should be trusted in such position.
Several witnesses testified they would not
believe Smedley on oath, and to his general
bad character.
W. Fl. Seymour, Notary Public, contra
dicted the statement made by Smedley in
his testimony few days ago, that he (Smed-
1ey) had told witness the jurat to the Ander-
son-W eber agreement was false. He says
he never had any conversation with Smed-
ey.
Parish, testified that he was Par sh Judge
i'll rs, was invited to resign, but did not
resign, and made affidavit before the Return
ing Board, charging intimidation, violence,
and murder; made statements on informa
ton received from others. His cross ex-
animation by Gov. Cox brought out the
statemen, from Dula that he had been daily
in company of E. L. Weber for the past
week; that Weber had offered witness 1900
and a promise of position in the public
schools as teacher if the witness would fol-
low his (Weber's) example, recant his aE-
davit before the returning Board, and deny
Intimidation in the parish. Weber said he
was all right now, that he had made arrange
ments with those who oppose him, and
thought he would not be safe anywhere !;
had acted wisely and advised witness
tn In "a I'M
right before the people of the parish and
State. Witness promised Weber he would
follow his example, but his conscience
would not permit him to do so. Witness
believed Armstead and Duncan, who testi-
fed yesterday, had been paid by Weber. He
understood money was put up by a gentle
man from Ne" York, three or four weeks
ago. Dula was promised place in the
Custom-house. Witness received ten dollars
from Weber yesterday, ard thii ty-ive
dollars to-day; was to receive balance after
testifying. He said this was the only
bribery case he had ever had anything to do
with. Thinks it dou' tful if colored men
can trust themselves when there is money
at stake.
S. FL. st. Martin, of st. James Parish,
who was appointed Deputy Ser
geant-at-Arms of this subcommittee,
ON recommendation of E. L. Weber, testified
| he was present in Weber's room when the
interviews mentioned by Dula took place.
| Weber and | room together. We are very
| intimate. When Dula first came Weber was
not in. Dula and l talked of Weber's tes-
timony, and Dula said he believed there was
money in it; said Swasey would go along
with them, but he wanted $1,000. Dula
said if he could get 81, 800 he could manage
Swasey-Dula giving witness to understand
he was going with Weber on the
same line of testimony. Never heard
| off N hpr
| borrowed ten dollars of witness yesterday
and thirty-fve dollars to-day, which was
paid to Dula by Weber, Dula remarking he
did not receive it as bribe, but as loan.
E. L. Weber was recalled. He had heard
the testimony of Dula to-day. His state
ment that attempted to bribe him is false
He admitted loa-.ing Dula the money, al
stated by s.. Martin.
Testimony was introduced to show tha
Seymour, the notary, and L. B. jerks wer'
acquaintances.
At New Orleans, Un the 18th, T. NJ.
Clarke, colored, formerly Recorder of Mort
cages in East Feliciana Parish, tes flied
Had two or three interviews with E. L
Weber recently. Weber wanted me to re
cant the testimony given before the hom
commission. The sestimony then given wa
true. Weber offered me $175 and position
at SIS per month if l would testify as h
wished. Dula also asked witness to go witt
Weber, My impression is Dula wanted m
% make money he said bales of it had beel
sent here from New York. Dula sal
Weber was to give him $500 to testify
Witness had no. been in the parish sine
) 1875; was afraid to return. The report ha
been circulated that he and other prom
nent Republicans had organized the negroe
| for the purpose of numbering the whi e
organization in the parish. The report wa
, , started by the whites. Witness detailed act
of violence by whites, including the murde
7 of John Gair, and said colored people new.
, banded together for unlawful purposes
y never thought of such thing; has hear
, that colored people were recently whippe
in East Feliciana, but refused to give name
e Geo. A. Swasey, colored, formerly reside
e in West Feliciana Parish; is now employe
s in the Custom-house. Had interviews wit
!. Weber few days ago, and before he wei
to Washington. lie wanted me to take bac
i what l had testified to before the Sena
committees. I refused to do it. Witne
refused to repeat the private conyersatie
between himself and Weber; said his tes
monv before the Senate committee was fro
Z. information received from others. Witne
&c is afraid to go back to the parish; the fe,
e ing against him is SO ely on account
q politics. Swasey denied that there h,
been any organization Of negroes for vi
p, 4 lence against the whites, and said the whit
SCdFteu the report TO serve LnelT own enc
l. and afford themselves pretext for violent
Milton Jones, colored member of the Lt
p islature from Pointe Coupee Parish. Liv
N opposite Bayou Sara. In the fall of Isl
IN C. L. Weber, Swasey, Armstead, and othe
e. came to my house one night and said bu
y dozers had been after them. Weber want
th me to take him to Waterlee, to take be
u for the city. He said they wouldn't let h
Ks go from Bayou Sara. l took Weber
le Waterlee that night. Andrew Duncan, a
others, from Feliciana took refuge in
TX house.
es f. L. Weber, recalled, produced numl
te of letters called for by Gov. Cox, but
OF not produce copies of his own letters
1d w. E. Chandler, as he had promised to
RI saying he had not been able to find the
he Letters from Anderson and Chandler ms
the inquiry of Weber for information G
~ cerning the Sherman letter. Chandler,
at der date of March Is, says: Mrs. Jer
N. and Anderson called on me recently, q
he told their stories. Mrs. jerks said she
Mt the letter about which 1 wrote safely