Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1878-06-29
THE ELECTORAL INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings of the Potter Committee.

Capt. Thomas A. jerks, Onited States
Deputy Marshal under Pitkin in East Felici-
ana Parish, La, in 1876, was examined at
length on the 21st regarding his knowledge
of the so called Sherman Anderson letter.
Witness testified that the first he ever heard
about the letter was on Jan. 9Th last, when 1t
was mentioned by Marshal Pitkin in conver-
reason to believe his wife knew any thing
about it,. Upon cross examination, witness
admitted that his wife came to 1 Washington ,I,
Kellogg and Packard, who professed.to be-
neve that she had some documents
their claims for office: Letters, from Ander-
the latter to obtain the letters" the
documents" ETC., and witness testified that
Anderson had written or told him that the
document wanted was worth 81 600, but wit
ness never had any knowledge of what the
valuable document was. In this connection
it was shown that Mrs jerks, wife of witness,
went to Donaldsonville to see Mrs. Weber,
who was supposed to have the Sherman let
ter in her possession. Capt jerks was also
examined at length regarding the state of
affairs in his parish during the canvass. He
said the Republicans there were afraid to
and he produced a letter from Ander.
son requesting him to send hiIn lAndersonl
there Which he (Jenks) had forwarded to
Gen. Anger. Witness testified to seeing An
derson sign and swear to the protest which
the latter subsequently claimed had been
falsified, and Anderson informed him that
Mai Burke had offered him several Thousand
dollars if he (Anderson) would go back on
his protest. Being shown the Anderson
Weber agreement, witness expressed his
opinion that Weber's Signature was not gen.
uine.
On the 22d Mrs. Agnes d. jerks, wife of
Capt. Thomas A. jerks, underwent a long ex-
animation, lasting nearly the entire day. She
proved to be a very voluble and entertaining
witness, and her testimony contained a num-
Der of surprising statements, notably the one
that she was the bearer of the message from
GlRns-t fnr
q written guarantee; that she went to the st.
Charles Hotel, where the visiting states
men" were stopping, and inquired Tor Sher.
that in order to crafty her curiosity she open
ed the letter entrusted to her care and read
the contents, and that she herself dictated
the letter in reply, signed John Sherman, re-
garding which there has been so much con-
troversy. Who wrote the letter at her dicta-
ton she refused to tell, but said that Anderson
honestly believed the letter to have been
written by Sherman. In this connection she
said, in most theatrical manner: :" wish
to state in presence of this august commit
tee and to the country at large that 1 dis
tlnctly and entirely exonerate MT; r secretary ar
direct in the sO-called Anderson-W eber
guarantee. If there is criminality in the doc
ument or political aishonor attached to 1t,
alone know the Alpha and Omega of It. No
one else knows aught in regard to it, and
do not think shall tell you any thing more
1t is sufficient that exOnerate Mr.. Secretary
Sherman, and also Mr.. Anderson. No one
knows about that document but myself. and
90 not think am cOmpeueQ 10 teu you,
gentlemen, any more"
Gen. Butler here read in evidence the fol-
lowing letters: O.) From Jas E. Anderson to
Capt. Jenks, dated Philadelphia, Sept. q, ,ls77,
that letter sent to Weber and myself" and
guaranteeing cool Thousand dollars if he
on the back: IN. B-I looked up the letter
here referred to long ere the within was writ
ten. Pray do not fail to return this to me. 1
sincerely trust this matter will be inviolable.
A IN L RI
logg, dated New Orleans, Nov. II, 1S77, anc en-
closing preceding letter. The writer assures
the letter referred to. and he may rest assur-
ed that he win never get it. go From Mrs
leans leans Oct. NO 10, is77. Isl asking Mrs. T W. to look
over her late husbands papers and see if she
can not find the letter / went up to Donald
sonville to speak to you about" The writer
says she feels sure it must be there, as he
(Weber) had it when he left the city the last
return to New Orleans in II few days, other
wise Anderson and Capt. jerks would have
kept the letter, as it belonged to them all. The
letter." she ADDS, I" was addressed to Ander-
son and Weber. After reading it you will see
that it is of no use or benefit To you, but real
Iy it is of use to u.s." o. From Mrs. Weber to
Mrs. jerks, in reply to above, statlng
that she has made another careful
search through her late husbands papers,
but failed to find the letter spoken OF Being
interrogated in regard to the letter mentioned
in these several communications, witness de-
clared that she did not suppose the so-called
/
thought it alluded to another document en-.
tirely. Witness said in reference to her visit
to Washington in January that she had sew
eral interviews with Stanley Matthews, and
endeavored to see Secretary sherman, but
the latter refused to grant her private inter-
view. Witness produced a letter from An
derson to Capt. jerks, dated Washington,
June 10. 1877, the pith of which is as follows: ::
al will give you bit of Information never
given to any one before, and you must use 1t
carefully: When these Republican dead
beats came to Louisiana last fall to have q
fair count, Weber and / refused to
fall into line until we received a written
guarantee that we would be provided for. 1
am convinced it was on Webers person the
day he was killed. (He had charge of it, Now
what has become OF that paper! If we can
get possession of it, we will make this Ad-
ministration hump. My own impression Is
e. at it was secured by his murderers and that
it played an important part in bringing
about the present state of affairs. IL you can
prosecute any inquiries in regard to 1t, do so.
but act carefully. Let me give you one word
of advice: In case You attempt any thing, for
Gods sake do It outside of Louisiana. would
not give nickel for you if you do not"