Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-27
The Potter Investigation
MRS. jerks AGAIN TEsTIrIE,.

WASHINGTON, June &c. The Potter committee
met this morning.
Mrs. jerks was asked by Potter IL she could
now furnish the letters required by the oGsa ittee
and she replied that they had not vet arrived.
Potter-Have you any letters from Kellogg
which you have not yet laid before the commit
teel
Al may have.
OWN you produce themi
Al must decline to do without permission
of Kellogg.
Cox announced that Kellogg had given sheila-
barger authority to have all correspondence be-
tween himself and Mrs. jerks laid before the
committee.
Mrs. jerks thereupon said the letters were at
her home in New Orleans and she would produce
them as soon as possible. In reply to question
regarding the so-called Sherman letter, witness
said she dictated the letter to another party, and
she wished the committee to distinctly understand
than she did not write the letter herself.
Q-Who was the person to whom you dictated
the letter,
Al must decline to tell It would not be hon.
orabe.
Q-Was the person prominent in Louisiana pol
itics
Al saw him probable six months ago He
may be dead now.
Q-W hat was his politics.
Ale was kind of republican. The first
draft of the letter too elaborate for my taste,
but the second draft suited her better. Did not
show either of the drafts of the document to We
Der, and left him to infer IT was genuine.
Odd you not show your husband the first
draft
A-No. Never mentioned it to anyone till l
mentioned it in this room.
Witness asked Mcmahon with an air of dignity
if there were any more lame, halt blind who
are expected as witnesses in her case, and if be
had not better go out upon the highway and call
them in.
McMahon-You know none are so blind as
those who will not
| Notice given by McMahon that there were
two letters in the House post office addressed TO
Mrs. jerks, and she was then excused TO procure
them.
| A G. Haley testified he had several converse
tons with Mrs jerks in Feb. last, in a parlor on
9th street, regarding the Sherman letter. II
| transpired she was here in behalf of Packard in
his race tor the coectorship and that she had IN
| formed sherman she knew the whereabouts OF the
| sherman letter. and she had been offered $1,000
| for it. Witness advised her the letter was worth
at least $4,000 to sherman, and witness proposed
she would make him her agent to place The letter
where it would do tie most COOK.
| She gave witness to understand she would Visit
| La. and bring the letter with her on her return.
She read a letterto witness, purporting to be from
| her husband which referred to the Sherman let
ter. The letter was very afectionate aud con-
tanned poetry and witness being fond OF poetry
| the reading wassgreatly enjoyed by him.
| Cross examined by Cox-Hs acquaintance with
Mrs jerks amounted to good deal more than .
mere boarding house Acquaintance. As near Is
|
| sherman letter. in the letter by her husband,
was as follows "You have committed the blum
der of permitting these documents TO leave your
| own hands ..
id not experience great difficulty in hearing Mrs
| jerks in conversation, he replied: None IN the
world. She has a very fne voice, and l can OIL.
ways understand lady better than gentleman
| Laughter ~,
| jerks acce pied u chair in the corner OF the room
| in rear Of witness, and was seemingly very mucn
| amazed by the proceedings.
| o by Cox-Did Mrs. jerks ever say she mad
| actual posses sion of the Sherman letter
| Ayes she undoubtedly did, and that 1t was
,omew where in New Orleans, and subject to her
| command.
O-Ars you willing to testify she had attempted
| to sell the letter
A-No She told me she had been offered
| $1,000 for the letter. and advised her to appoint
me her agent with view to selling 1t. thought
| it worth $1,000.
At the conclusion of Haley's testimony the
committee took a recess.
Potter desired brief executive session and me
doors were closed
Judge Hugh Campbell of Dakotah, formerly OF
New Orleans, testified the hrst interview ne
ever had with Anderson was in Marshal fitkins
Office. The protest of Anderson was referred TO
him and he gave his decision was not according
| to law, and he had the statement drawn up &C
coiding to the revised statutes. DID not remem-
her having had administered the oath to Ander-
son. -.
Q-To the best of your knowledge and belief
did you ever afiix your signature to any andavu
when the party making the same was not actually
present?
Al can swear most positively that never did
so. .c :,
III will BIO remembered that Anderson testified
that it was no uncommon thing for signatures TO
be affixed to afiidavits without the person Deipg
present at the time to take the OATH
| Cross examined by chairman Potter, witness tes-