Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-04
The Potter Investigation
r.. l.. WEBER AGAIN ON THE W.T.
NESS STAND.
what He Knows About His Brothers
Protest.
THE SHERMAN LETTER AGAIN.
His Testimony Differs from That of Mrs.
jerks.
THE ELIZA PINKsTON OUTRAGE.
Mr.. Weber Thinks that II Was "Put
Up Job"
The PRITCHARO AFFIDAVIT.
rHE ELIZA PINKsToN OUTRAGE.
Mr.. Weber Thinks that II Was a "Pul
Up Job"
The PRITCHARD AFFIDAVIT.
The Committee Adjourn Until the IOti
of July.

met at eleven o'clock, Mr.. Hunton presiding.
Z. l.. Weber was recalled and testified that the
conf renee held IN New o. ans during the count
| i'd 1876, he understood WAS led bv sherman In
conversation with Senator Shei man. witness was
asked II his brother would stand by his protest il
| he should be protected. In compliance it'll the
request of Sherman. witness went after bis broth
| er and Anderson, and Informed them that the Wis
| iting statesmen were DESTROYS of seeing them.
Anderson in reply to the statement said: Tell
them to 20 to h-l." HIS brother however
went to see Mr.. Sherman and they had long
| conversation regarding the protest.
Two or three days after this conversation occur
red his brother showed him the Sherman letter Of
| assurance, and told him sherman gave 1t to him
at the conclusion of the conference relative to his
standing by his protest, and remsrke II was the
best be could do at that timo.
Odd your brother agree TO stand by his pro-
tests
Ale hestated about doing so, bu; could not
we'll avoid it considering the pressure brought to
bear upon him.
BY sprnger-Did you have the Sherman letter
in your hand
Ayes, sir, did.
Q-What kind OF paper WAS it written on
Alt was written on double sheet note paper.
Witness then showed the size of the paper,
which was about half the size of the sheet Mrs.
jerks said the letter was written on. She claim
ed that II was written on single commercial letter
paper. -, -, .,.o,,..
by Messrs Kellogg, Thomas Z. Anderson and
Packard to secure sfidavns of Intimidation in the
parishes of East and West Feliciana for the pur
pose Of throwing out these parishes.
He was assured by Kellogg and others that if
he would use his influence with his brother to-
ward having him make protest, that be, witness
would be returned to the senate. He was defea!-
ed for the state senate BY about twelve hundred
votes, and returned by the returning board As
elected by about six hundred majority.
In reply to Hunton, witness stated some visiting
states men had an interview with Eliza Pinkston
in the custom house before she WAS brought be-
those who interviewed her was Senator sherman.
He was Vt the opinion that the Eza PInkst on
outrage WAS put up job.
Springer-Did you bee the ahdsvit of Eliza
Prlchard, formerly Eliza Plnkston, published last
Saturday
Ayes. cir.
Q-Csn you state whether or not it is true
A-To the test of my knowledge and belief it
is true.
Springer then sent for copy of the Herald with
view of submitting the affidavit in evidence.
Weber then relating the circumstances As told
him by his sister 10 law concerning the visits Of
Mrs. jerks 10 Donaldsonville and the kedfelI
Wing letter which was delivered 10 Mrs. Dan
W eDer by Mrs jerks.
New Orleans, May q, 1877.
Msdsme--ln the invesug CATION aboat to com
mence in Washington under the Potter resour ion
It is deemed important TO have you there Is wit
ness nj once Mrs. jerks Will Dear TINS TO you
and exp ain the affair to you.
Very respectfully,
L. A. SHELDON.
To M adame ID. A. Weber, Donsldsonvlle.
Mrs jerks explained to Mrs. Weber that Mr.
Sheldon desired her to go to Washington 10 testi-
iy. She did not know of the existence OF the
sherman letter. Mrs. Weber refused complying
with the request unless called upon by the proper
author lilies, wnereupon MIS-. jerks threate ned TO
have her arrested and taken TO Washington.
AT this time brother OF Mrs. ID. A. Weber
ca me to Donsldsonville, and seeing Mrs. jerks
asked what that woman was doing there asain,
and whether she WAS after the Sherman letter.
Mrs. Weber told her brother not to NEEDLE with
her affairs; that she Ind the Sherman letter aud
knew what to do with it. At thi, time Weber had
no: informed her that he had destroyed the dOcu-
ment
Mrs. jerks told Mrs. Weber the letter was
worth thousands, and said she would pay her q
good price for 1t. Mrs. jerks never intimsted
that she had anything to do with the authorship
of the Sheim letter. but always spoke of il
letter written by Jonn Sherman, assuring Weber
and Anderson positions under the administration.
At this poins the New York Herald containing
the Prtchsrd affidavit, WAS handed 10 Springer
and was submitted by him to Judge She llsbarger,
who represented the minority, no republican,
embers being present
Shellabarger objected to the affidavit being put
in evidence, and Springer agreed TO lay the ques-
ton over until the minority shall have passed up
on the que'tion.
The witness submitted ia evidence letter writ
ten by Judge Mark, now internal revenue collec-
tor at New Orleans, wherein Marks requested the
witness to inform him whether he hsd received
the appointment he had made application iCr,
if not he would louk after Il for him.
lie also requested witness to Inform Mrs. Web
er that he thong BIT be could secure her appoint.
ment as postmlstress at Donsldsonvlie, for which
she had once applied and been unsuccessful.
Marks beng at the time opposed to her appoint
ment.
Marks, previous to this. had been to Donaldson
vile aad requested Mrs. Weber to make q state
ment. Had never knos n of the expense Of the
Sherman letter. Duing this visit Marks told the
witness aud his sister in-sw they were both TO be
summoned as Witnesses before the investigating
committee.
Witness states he was under the impression the
approaches by Marks were merely with n view OF
influencing his testimony before the committee
He gave him no encouragement Whatever. Marks
had stated to certain parties he could control Mrs
Weber testimony.
Witness after further unimportant testimony,
was ordered TO report TO the Louisiana sub com
mittee the 10Th inst, at which time his cross
examination by General Cox would then be CON.
menced.
Inc committee then adjourned until July 10th
al ten o'clock A. NJ.