The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-01

made and certified to the returns. Iappointed
as inspectors of Archer precinct, box No. 2
Green r. Moore, Floyd Duke and Richard 81
Black. Thomas ID. Vance went at my request
TO Archer precinct on the day previous TO the
election, and was appointed by the inspectors
such. / was at Gainesville on the day OF the
election. On that night and the day following
my residence was the headquarters OF the
republican party, and during the night pre-
ceding the election all information was
brought TO me there. Some time after mid
night Of that night Inspector Black came to
of the election at box No. for pres
idential electors was as follows:
electors, 1856. A little later Vance clerk at said
box No. 2, came and made the same report.
Subsequently both Black aud Vance came to
me and said they had returns from Archer
pecinct, box No. 2, signed in blank by the in
spectors, and that they would make out the
returns so as to meet the ex-
They retired to private room where they re-
manned two or three hours, and then informed
me they had added about zoo names to the poll
republican vote TO that extent anu
l afterward learned that they
had added 2l9 names to the list.
/ entered the room while they were employed
there and saw them copying names from the
county registration books, from which those
who had actually voted at Archor precinct,
box No. 2, were checked of, and new names
selected from the names of republican voters
who had not already voted at that precinct.
they filed them with the ballot box with the
county clerk. The county commissioners met
few days after the election, the board con-
slsting of j. f. webster, clerk of the
court; w. II. Belton justice OF the peace,
and Louis A. Barnes, sheriff. all of whom were
republicans. During the canvass Inspector
Moore appeared before the board and submit
ted an affidavit to the effect that the returns
from Archer precinct No. 2 were false, and that
the true returns should be, for Hayes electors
$50 votes, and for the Tilden electors l36 votes.
but the board decided that they could not
hear the evidence as to the truth or falsity of
the returns, and upon the lace of the returns
follows: For the Hayes electors, ], 9Si; for
the Tilden electors. .267. The result, included
2l9 votes for the Hayes electors, which were
No. ., by Black and Vance. These returns
were sent to the governor and secretary of
state. After these returns were hled
with the secretary of state an effort
was made to invalidate them so far as Archer
precinct, box No. 2, was concerned. Afhdavits
signed by f1oyd Duke ana Oreen h. Moore,
and an official statement from Mr.. Webster,
were filed with the state board of canvass
ers, for the purpose of showing that
the returns fIom Archer precinct, box No. 2,
were false and fraudulent. IL also appeared
that Mr.. Bolton, Justice of the peace, had not
signed the returns Med with the secretary OF
turns was sent back to Alachucha county,
and Belton's signature obtained. Mo re
was also induced to make n counter affidavit
DENYING the truth OF his former affldavit. A
Floyd Duke denying his former affidavit. The
grand jury of Alachucha county investigated
the Archer precinct matter, but failed 10 md
any fraud, and passed resolution to
that effect, whereupon Mr.. Web
ster induced 10 withdraw his
statement and make another that he was sat
isfied the return was all ght. Then the am
davits and statements were laid before the
state canvassIng board, and the returns
were counted. This result gave the
Hayes electors 2l9 votes more than
were cast for them. / have never
heretofore made any written statement oil
given any evidence regarding this ELECTION In
Alachucha county.
Signed l.. g. DENNIS.
The above was sworn to in Florida before &
justice of the peace, and is certified to by the
secretary OF state.