The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-19
GEN. CHALMERS'S SCALP.
COL. MoRGAN'S ATTORNEYS WILL
YET HAVE 1T AT THEIR BELT.
One of Them, Mr.. @. F. Bates, Has
Few Things to Say About the Trans
fer of Investigation From Holly
Springs to Memphis.

ing the contest oil zen. James Ii. Chalmers
Tor his seat in the next Congress from the
Second District of Mississippi. Mr.. Bates
is in Memphis to attend the examination
OF witnesses in the contest in pursuance
OF Gen. Chalmers's notice published in
yesterdays APPEAL.
"What do you think of the published
notice, Mr.. Bates?" asked the reporter.
81 do not wish to make any animadyer-
sions upon Gen. Chalmers whatever, nor
TO say anything unkind about him, but
do say that if the notice intends to be u
statement of the facts us they occurred at
Holly Springs, in this connection, il is
very wide OF the mark, aud that there
was no excuse whatever Tor the attorneys
and agents of Gen. Chalmers to leave
Marshall County in order to get the de-
position OF his witnesses domiciled there"
"What, then. are the facts in the case?"
at is not true that any demand was
made that q. G. Myers should sit with
Col. Calhoon, but a courteous request was
preferred that Mr.. Myers might sit with
Col. Calhoon. When this request was
preferred Col. Calhoon, who Is gentle
man of sensitive honor, said that he
thought he was acceptable to both parties,
and that he would have nothing more to
do with the matter. Col Morgans attor-
neys Immediately disclaimed any inten-
ton TO reflect upon the fairness of Col.
Calhoon and then and there Withdrew the
suggestion that Mr.. Myers should sit with
him. Col Calhoon expressed himself rs
satisfied with the disclaimer, but still re-
fused 10 take the dispositions and adj
jourred and LETT the room. This occurred
about noon, February H.. Col. Morgan's
attorneys then addressed the following let
ter to Capt. George NJ. Buchanan, who, in
his deposition here today admitted that he
was the agent OF Gen. Chalmers here in
prosecuting this contest, namely
IloLlY srHiNGs Mis-, Feb. %. 1872 pm.
To Capt George NJ. Buchanan, Holly Springs,
Miss
Dear Sir-In the case Of Gen. ]. H..
Chalmers w. j. b. Morgan being n con.
test for seat in the Filty-iirst Congress,
John Calhoon having declined to take the
dispositions Tor Gen. j. X. Chalmers, We,
not desiring to delay Gen. Chalmers, or to
throw any difficulties in his way in the
matter, do hereby agree that the deposit
tons OF his Witnesses at Holly Springs
shall be taken before any officer who may
be selected by YOU or Gen. Chalmers, or
his attorneys subject, however. to our
rights under Section llS OF the United
States Revised Statutes. Yours truly,
STRICKLAND * BATEs.
"This letter was delivered TO Capt
Buchanan in less than thirty minutes after
its date 10y r. A. McWiIliams, Sheriff Of
Marshall County, but up to this good hour
1t has never been answered. On the
morning OF February -, 1882 a large
number OF the leading Democrats OF the
town OF Holly Springs called on Col. Cal.
hoon aud insisted that hc should proceed
with the taking Of Gen. Chalmrs's dcpo-
sitions, aud he consented 10 DO 10, aud
his consent was communicated to Col.
Morgan's attorneys. Ihepupon they ad.
dressed the following letter TO Gen. Chal-
mcn's attorney.
llouY srEISUs, Miss Fch. y. 1850. i0na.m.
startling rcron. Attorney for Cen. }. H. Chalmers,
Holy springs, Miss.
Dear Sir-ln the contest OF Gen. J. Il.
Chalmers vs.. J. h. Morgan for a seat In
the lilly.firsl Congress we, ~ the atlOr-
neys Tor Morgan, are ready to proceed 10
take the doppstions OF Gen. Chalmcrs's
NNNNNHH'H ANNIt hNANNN NNNH HNNlllN ' alINlNNlNH
Mayor, Who j. IN his Office ready to trans
act any business that may come before
him. lOuB truly,
STRICKLAND 4 BATES.
The foregoing letter WIS delivered 20
Mr. pirnon, who was then In Holly
Springs, anl at 1880 o'clock p M lac sent
the following answer % the office Of
Strickland X Bates
ilotl, srHiS0s. Nile. February ~ tss2
Mcs,rs strickland 4 llaic.. Attorneys Tor Judge
Morgan, Holly spfinf, Miss.
GENTLEMEN Yours VI today received.
Since Mr. Calhoon 20 positively refused 10
proceed with the taking Of testimony
yesterday under any circumstances,
have adopted other plans to secure our
testimony here, and have proceeded upon
those plans Yours truly,
srEniixa PmRsoS,
Attorney Tor j. X, Chalmers.
ave then heard no more from the other
side until .: III o'clock pm, February 10,
lsND, when Capt buchanan, as the agent
OF Gcn. Chalmers served notice upon II.
&. Watson, who was then NJ Holly Springs,
that Con. Chalmcrts testimony would bJ
taken Ia Memphis, Tenn, commencing on
February rs. 1889, said notice referring
only 10 witnesses living In Marshall Coun
ty. Miss, and 20 answer that notice ! am
here. aud have spent large part Of tai,
DAY in the pleasant task OF Cf1w-uXlmin
Ing Capt George VI. buchanan, the iirI
witness introduced, before NJ. Ice Thorn.
ton. notary public. This Is q history Of
the matter NJ known 10 me personally and
as will be- shown boy copies Of letters 70
served IN the oiliro of strickland Il Bate
NJ the time, the delivery oi which WA
proved by Capt Buchanan today on cross.
/ examination, and which now submit I,
| YOU
Upon what right or authority dil you
ask Mr. Myers To lit with Col. CalhO0ng
"Scrtion us oi the Revised Statutes o
the United States, being q part OF th,
| chapter on contested elections, expressly
/ gives this right II was n legal right
/ claimed under tho Law oi the land, and no
man had q right 10 ask ~ why We elaine,
/ H.. hui We have no objection 10 giving Oh
reason ior tho claim"
"Whut was the rcasonF'
"Mr H. &. Watson, ono 81 Mr.. Nor
/ CANS attorneys, had inlouLcd M tha
Cen. Chalmers, Ia taking dcp0sitiUns %
other places, had had the questions an
answers taken down In cipher by Mr.. q
X. Anlcson's shorthand typewriter. an
that the witnesses had sworn 10 and sui
scribcd ~ their dopUsitions ~ ~ take
down, and that they were then delivers
b. Gen. Chalmers, and Mr.. Morgan
attorneys had never seen them any more
when Col Calhoon opened bis court ia
taking dispositions, Mr.. Anderson wa
present with bis machine TO take then
down. and we saw no arrangement "a
writing them down other than by IA
machine. We had right 10 cfoS.cxau
inc the witnesses and 10 sce that IA
questions and answers were written dow