The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-24
THE JACKSON COUNTY CONTEST.
What Was Revealed During the Examination
in the Brannaman- Mcdonald Case.


special TO the indianapolis Journal
SEYMOUR, Ind, Dec 23-The hearing Of evil
Aence in the senatorial contest case of Branna-
man vs. Mcdonald was commenced today on
behalf of the contestee before O. H. Montgom-
cry, notary public Hon. A. P. Charles and
William K. Marshall acting as attorneys for
Senator elect w. N. Mcdonald. All the wit
nesses examined to-day were citizens of Salt
Creek township, which. politically speaking. is
the dark and bloody gronnd' of Jackson coun-
". 1t is typical hooppole and tanbark town
bhip and is reliably Democratic when properly
looked after"
The FIRST witness was Thomas Callahan, aged
~dfey- seven Democrat from birth, who testified
thas Frank Brannaman, the Democratic candidate
for Senator from Jackson and Lawrence counties,
offered to deposit $50 with Dr. Cummins, of
Houston SO the witness could get it on election
day, il he would be all right and work for him.
The proposition was made at Democratic
speaking at Findleys Mill, when Jason Brown
and all the candidates were there. The witness
did not accept the $780, but told Brannaman ne
was going to vote on the other side The wit
ness gave Alfred Gptherie So On election day to
nav him for trouble he would be at In hunting
np evidence to prove that he had been In the
the township long enough to be entitled TO VOTE
Il, -
voter and Democrat; had n conversation with
Frank Brannaman at Leesville ten days before
the election Brannaman told the witness he
wanted hirn 10 go to work for him and to move
everything before him, and he would furnish the
money; il didn't matter what it was he would
furnish It, Said the witness II told him, No,
sir money won't buy me- don't know what
no thought l thought he meant to give me
money, and for me to get votes with it IN any
manner could.D
John Manuel testified that he saw Jack Bond
the evening before the election; he said to 60 to
Stocker Wheeler and get money He said IL was
Frank Brnnnamans. Il believe he said make it
fly like hi"
joseph Coombs testified that on Monday be-
fore the election he Was at Maumee in Salt
Creek township. Stocker Wheeler came there
directly after he arrived and said he was elec-
tioneering he said: "Coombs know You
the very man that can do the work have got
Brannaman's money. and if you don't believe it,
look here" The witness said be thought he
would see what was in him, and replied Stock
or, you are Joking He said Come down
here | want to talk to you a few moments.
Ccombs, / know you are the very man we need
Ia this cnd of Salt Creek township The wit
ness said: 'Stocker, you are talking about
money; / don't believe you have got any"
Wheeler saidi IF haint you bet can get it,
He showed the witness money. Coombs did not
know how much he had it in his hands. and
silver in his pockets "Wheeler said "Coombs,
if You don't believe I've got money; here 1t is.'
All that Coombs saw was silver Coombs
saw Henry Lutes at Houston on Sua-
day before election; he said he had beer
watching the road all day for Coombs
He said. Frank Bramaman Is coming here
TO morrow and he is going TO give me 5000 to use
in the election, and think you are the best man
20 use some OF that money! Coombs said:
s'Henry, you are joking, 'hant youl" and he said,
mo; yon Just come right over heren Coombs
and Lutes went round behind n storehouse. and
the latter pulled long bottle and said al have
something good TO drink here. and I've plenty of
money" On cross-examination the witness said
all he knew was what Stocker Wheeler and Hen
nv Lukes said