The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-09-29
Disgraceful conduct of Frank Nc
| Kenna.
Who Asks to be Elected REPRESENTATIVE.
PASSES HIS TINE IN PLAYING
CARDS IN A SALOON.
An Insult to the Party
which Nominated Him
Is He Fit Person to Represent Perry
County.

that Frank McKenna the Democratic nom-
inee for Representative had spent greater
part Of the afternoon in gambling in Sa>
loon with three men from New
Lexington. The report was generally dis
credited as no one was ready to believe
that a man who had been hoDored with
the nomination for the higest Office that
the County can elect would be guilty Of
disgraciDg the trust and confidence placed
in him. We determined on hearing the
charge repeated to find out the truth OF
the statement, anc learned of q number OF
people in New Lexington who had actual
ly witnessed the affair. We went to New
Lexington and called on George Hayes,
who it was said was An eye witness We
asked Mr.. Hayes if he saw Frank McKenns
playing cards in a Somerset Saloon the
Thursday before.
Mr.. Hayes. Yes, | went into saloon
in Somerset ON the day of the Republican
County Convention with a number Of others
aud saw Frank McKenna and three color
od men, there he named the parties) sitting
at table playing cards. / don't know
how long they had been playing before
saw them. ! remained about half an
hour. There was PROBABLY fifty persons
sa W them, as it was the common talk on
the streets and many went In TO see if it
was true.
Reporter.-Do you know what they
were playing for?
Mr., Hayes-l did not learn. They did
not have the money where | could see it,
Reporter.-Y You are satisfied they were
play ing for money!
Mr.. IIayes.-I heard one of the partie-
say that they had made it pay.
Reporter.-Who else saw it that could
be easily found?
Here Mr.. Hayes named some fifteen or
twenty, and among the number Mr.. Tus-
sing, Deputy Clerk of the Court, and who
by the way is an uncompromising Demo-
crat. We proceeded at once to the Clerks
Office ard found Mr.. Tussing who was en-
gagged in his official duties. After excu
sing ourself for interrupting him, We told
h i'm that we had learned that Frank Nc
Kenna had been gambling in a Somerset
saloon on the 25th :of August, the day Of
the Republican county convention, and
that had been told he witnessed it,
Mr.. Tussing was considerably embar-
rassed and replied after a few moments
hesitation:
81 heard of it. Ask any of the members
OF the New Lexington Band. They can
give you all the information you want
concerning the matter.
Reporter.-I would like to hear from
you Mr.. Tussing in regard to the matter?
Mr.. Tussing.-I saw it, and felt very
much mortified. | was asked to take
glass of lemonade and went into saloon
where there was a number playing bill
lizards. My attention was called to screen
in one corner of the room by some of the
party, and to my utter astonishment |
saw Frank McKenna playing cards.
Reporter.-Were there many others that
saw it?
Mr.. Tussing-Yes, great many. l re-
mained about fifteen minutes, when they
quit playing and McKenna treated the
party to the beer.
Reporter. Do you know what they were
playing for, and what game they were
playing?
Mr.. Tussing.-I understood they were
playing Poker for five cents a corner.
Mr.. Tussing did not wish to talk about
the matter, but his countenance showed
he keenly felt the disgrace McKenna had
brought upon himself and the ticket.
We next met Thos A. Mcdonald, who
also was an eye witness. We asked Mr..
Mcdonald if he WAS a witness to the card
playing Frank McKenna WAS engaged in
on the day of the Republican County Con-
vention'
Mr.. McDonald.-I did. went into ga
loon ON the corner Of the square and saw
him and three of our New Lexington col
ored men playing cards.
Reporter.-Who was with you at the
time?
Mr.. McD.-Tod Hammond, Geo. Kelly
> A. ID. & W. Hull, Tom. Martin, and 1
E number of others.
e ! met McKenna on Saturday in New
Lexington and he asked me if ] saw
him playing cards with DarkIes. | an
swered yes, and asked him who beat, ant
. he said the Darkies beat him.
= Reporter-Who was present on this oc-
y casion.
Mr.. Me cDonald.-James Conley and vii
- Hull.
4. Voters of Perry County, il this maj
- Frank McKenna worthy of your supper!
Is he a fit person to assist in making law
to govern our State. Are yon willing t.
trust the interests of our county in tn
hands of man who passes his time a
the card table. Not one gambler in hun
:, dred would have had the impudence to D.
as he did. It-is the most hardened tha
play cards in public. You Democrat
who are worthy Of the name. will you SUP
port such man. You have him in hi
true light There is no mi take about tn
matter. We ask you!for the sake of you
party, for your families sake, for your ow
sake and for'the sake of county vote again.
. him and teach him lesson never to
forgotten.