San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-07-06
THE ELECTORAL INVESTI-
CATION.


Proceedings of the Potter Committee.
Capt. Thomas A. jerks, United States
Deputy Marshal under Pitkin in East Felici.
ana Parish, La, in 1876, was examined at
length on the 2lst regarding his knowledge
of the so-called sherman Anderson letter.
Witness testified that the first he ever heard
was mentioned by Marshal Pitkin in CONVEX
sation never saw the letter, nor had he any
reason to believe his wife knew any thing
about iu. Upon cross examination, witness
in January last in response to a request from
kellogg and Packard, who protested. to be.
lieye that she had some documents
or some information of some kind
their claims for office. Letters from Ander-
son to jerks were introduced, requesting
the latter to obtain the LETTERS" the
Anderson had written or told him that the
document wanted was worth $1,000, 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
affairs in his parish during the canvass. He
said the Republicans there were AFRAID to
register on account OF intimidation,
and he produced letter from Ander.
the original list Of 10 murders committed
there, which he Jenks) had forwarded to
Gen. Anger. Witness testified to seeing An
derson sign and swear to the protest which
falsified, and Anderson informed him that
Mai Burke had offered him several thousand
dollars If he (Anderson) would 20 back on
his protest. Being shown the Anderson
Weber agreement, witness expressed his
opinion that Weber's signature was not gem
uine.
On the 22d Mrs. Agnes d. jerks, wife of
Capt. Thomas a. jerks, underwent long ex.
animation, lasting nearly the entire day. She
proved to be very vOluble and entertaining
witness, and her testimony contained a mum.
Der of surprising statements, notably the one
that she was the bearer OF the message from
Weber and Anderson to Sherman, asking for
a written guarantee; that she went to the St.
Charles Hotel, where the visiting states
men" were stopping, and inquired Tor Sher-
man, hut, he being engaged, did not see him !;
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 a most theatrical manner: 81 wish
to state in presence of this august commit
tee and to the country at large that dls-
tinctly and entirely exonerate Mr.. Secretary
direct in the sO-called Anderson-Weber
guarantee. If there is criminality in the doc
ument or political dishOnOr attached to 1t,
alone know the Alpha and Omega OF 1t. 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
do not think L am compelled to tell you,
gentlemen, any more"
Gen. Butler here read in evidence the fol-
Capt jerks, dated Philadelphia, Sept. %, 1877,
requesting the latter to "get possession of
that letter sent to Weber and myself" and
guaranteeing IL cool thousand dollars If he
on the back: IN. b. looked up the letter
here referred to long ere the within was writ.
ten. Pray do not fail to return this to me.
sincerely trust this matter will be inviolable.
A. ID. j." (2.) From Mrs. jerks to Gov. KEEL
logg, dated New Orleans, Nov. II, 1877, and en-
closing preceding letter. The writer assures
Kellogg that Anderson is not in possession OF
the letter referred to, and he may rest assur-
jerks to Mrs. d. A. Weber, dated New Or.
leans, Oct. 10, 1877, asking Mrs. W. to look
can not find the letter 81 went up to Donald
sOnvillc 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 a few days, other
wise Anderson and Capt. jerks would have
kept the letter, Las it belonged to them all. The
letter." she ADDS, "was addressed to Ander-
son and Weber. After reading it you will see
thatit is of no use or benefit to you, but real
ly it is of use TO u.s." ~ From Mrs. Weber to
Mrs jerks, in reply, to above, stating
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
sherman letter was the one referred to;
thought it alluded to another document en-
tirey 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 letter from An
derson to Capt. jerks, dated Washington,
June 10, 1877, the pith of which is as follows:
81 will give you a bit of information never
given to any one before, and you must use it
carefully: When these Republican dead
beats cameto Louisiana last fall to have a
iair count, Weber and refused to
fall into line until we received written
guarantee that we would be provided for, l
am convinced it was on Weber's person the
day he was killed (He had charge of it, Now
what has become of that paper? If we can
ger possession of it, we will make this Ad-
INN 1hi,nis - hump; My own impression Is
tEat 1t was secured by his murderers and that
~ played an important part in bringing
about the present state of affairs. If you can
prosecute any inquiries in regard to it, do so,
Dut act carefully. Let me give you one word
ol ADVICE In case you attempt any thing, Tor
uOds sake do it outside of Louisiana. would
not give a nickel for you if you do not"
Proceedings of the Senate Committee.
The Senate Committee appointed at the
request of Senator Matthews met on the 2lst
ana called James L. Anderson as witness,
! put he refused to testify unless Senator Mat
news would agree to go before the Potter
Sommttee and testify. After consultation,
witness further refusing to testify, and in the
absence of the Senate the committee having
~ power TO compel him to do so, the Com
HGtlItee adjourned subject to the call of the
a TROY inventor will shortly take out
patent for cataphone. By means Of
wires stretched along backyard fences