Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-13
How an Interviewer EHred with the
COmeIy Madame Jenks-A skill
full Adept In Ke~piDg Her
own Csunsels.


New Orleans Democrat, Saturday: There
has been so much written about the devel-
opmeuts hich are expected to come from
the lips of Mrs. L. II. jerks about the Sher-
man lette~. that Democrat reporter thought
il desirable, If possible, to learn from that
lady whether these reports relative to her
knowledge OF certain facts were true or not.
Accordingly. he repaired to her residence, a
retired suburban cottage in the sixth district,
surrounded by a neat garden and shaded by
trees. The place showed that lady's hand
had been at work there. Inc parlors were
tastefully ornamented with flowers; the walls
hung with a humber Of pictures, and here
and there brackets Of carved wood gave TO It
a style that added not little to the coZness #
the place. When the reporter met Mrs.
jerks he introduced himself and requested
the privilege Of an interview. Ia appearance
she is what an EuglIshman would call
~ comely oval face set off with pair
of bright blue eyes, mouth Of soft express
sion but most flexible TO every passing emo
ton. Her manner was that OF one thorough
~ versed IN hum&n nature, there being a
complete self-pO-session about her that at
once told Of her perfect seli-ccmmand. IL
did not need a critics eye to pronounce ct
once that she WAS q wnman Of much force OF
character and strength Of within fact, a
hard one u coax an. thing out OF that she did
not desire TO tell.
Mrs. jerks Is h. wife OF I. II. jerks, tax
collector under Xii lgE in West Feiciana,
and who WIS on Of the heHchmen OF Billy
Pitt during the troublous days OF his DONNA
ton. She Is thu person who Is reported to
have gotten the Sherman letter fIom Mrs. K.
L. Weber, wife If one of the supervisors of
West Fehciana, and accordingly q promi-
nent witness in the Potter Investigation.
After the lady was seated the reporter in
duired whether she would leave for Washing
ton soon, IN response 10 the Subpoena she he'd
received.
Mrs Jenks-I think will leave soon.
Reporter-Have you settled all your mat
tiers about lunds 10 70 with? | understood
you had failed, yesterday, TO get the required
amount from either the brokers' or bankers.
Mrs. J-Hks-All that has been settled to-
day. and | am prepared to leave. My trunk
is at the express office now, and that's the
reason you sse me now III the earb you do.
Reporter see there is no use in beating
around the bush, aud you appear avery frank
lady. What | wanted to learn was, whether
you were taking with you any documents
relative to the Potter investigation, which
would be connected with the testimony?
Mrs. jerks (smilinP )-Do you know this
investigation has caused so much of str
that one hardly knows what it all means? |
have documents, of course, that | will take
with me.
Reporter-WHl they 90 in evidence?
Mrs Jenks-That | cannot say. There are
documents enough, they tell me, in this case
to load a train. There doubtless will be IN
Washington any quantity of these papers,
but who can tell whether they will go In evil
dence or not?
Reporter-To come down to the point !
want to know about have you the original
of the Sherman letter? That's very plain
question.
Mrs. jerks Qughiog)- Did you ever
see it?
Rsporter-That's answering my question
with another.
Mrs. Jcnks-Ths Sherman letter seems to
have created great stir in Democratic cir
cles. Don't you think SO!
Reporter on re lodging my question,
think, Mrs. Jerks. To come back TO it, have
you got that Sherman letter?
Mrs. Jenks-NOw, really, you would ike
me to answer that qug slion, wouldn't you?
Reporter would; thats exactly what IN
after.
Mrs. Jenks-WelI, now, do you think it
would be right in me to tell you?
Reporter see that you are trying TO get
around again the question about that letter.
Mrs. Jenks-l see you are no lawyer, tol
you come out So buntly with your queries.
Reporter that letter?
Mrs. Jenks-l hardly think 1t would be
right for me to tell you. | am summoned tc
testify In Washington, and will then have tC
tell what ! know. | would not like to say
now what know about this matter. gu car
easily understand tUat.
Reporter-Dlung your husbands connec-
ton with the Radic'l party, you must have
known. considerably Of that party's doings
Mrs. Jenks-Yes; have been somewhat
mixed up in the politics of the State for some
years. but simply as lOoker-on.
Reporter-But you seem to be prominently
mt forward in this crusade against Hayes.
Mrs. Jenks-Ies, so 1t appears. Ny hus-
band being connected with that party, knew
what was transpirIng, perhaps. breaking
off suddenly What do you think of Stanley
Matthew's letter?
Reporter-It's rather a slim document
amt it?
Mrs Jenks-He's put in a queer position
Is ne not?
Reporler-It's hard on 90 great states
man, don't you think?
Mrs. Jenks-l see you're bad witness.
Reporter want you to answer the ones
tious. How about Mathews?
Mrs. Jenks-l think he has shown himself
TO be very weak for a man OF his experience
Reporter-To come back to that Sherman
letter; did you ever see 1t, or photograph
copy of it? W.. oo-r =, tho sbor
man letter that was published?
Reporter-Iou' lodging the question
again. Have you seen the original or copy
of Sherman letter.
Mrs. Jenks-You mean TO read 1t all tn
way through?
Reporter-To read enough to know its con
tents?
Mrs. Jenks-Do You think that letter a
published reads like one coming from as as
tute and able lawyer rs Mr. Sherman!
Reporter-Then you think 1t does not rea'
like Sherman?
Mrs. Jenks-Do you?
Reporter think Sherman, IN tie stragh
be was ia down here at that time, nigh
have written such a letter. You know the.
were under the pressure OF circumstance
then?
Mrs. Jenks-Ycs, under certain circum
stances men will do most anything.
RepOrter-Then you think Sherman wrot
that letter?
Mrs. Jenks-Does it read ike him?
Reporter (laughing)-l see yOI are agar
irving TO evade answering. Come, now, d
YOU want to tell me what you know abou
this letter?
Mrs Jenks-I suppose you would like
know all know.
Reoorter-That's Just what am after, a
have said. Do you decline TO tell?
Mrs. Jenks-I think it would be just a
well.
when they were down here, did You nott
Nr-. Jenks-Oh, yes, frequently: l ha
met Mr.. Sherman and Chandler and Stougt
ton in Washington before.
Reporter-Did you see them here while ia
count was going onr -,
Mrs. Jenks-Frequently; ! called upo