St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-10-11
HUNTS AFFIDAVIT.
Details of the Bribery Conspiracy
Told Under Oath.

County of Ramsey.
w. q. Hunt, being first duly sworn.
deposes and says:
That he is the editor and publisher of
the Mcintosh News, published at Nc
Intosh. Mimi, where he resides, and
that said newspaper is a Peoples party
paper. and has been such since the
organization OF said party.
DepOnent further SAYS that on the 10th
day of September. 1892, in the city OF
Crookston, he met the editor of GER
tain newspaper which is printed in the
Norwegian language, and published
and circulated in the Seventh congress
sional district of Minnesota, and that
said editor then and there stated that
this deponent could make some money
by silly knting Donneily and favoring
knute Nelson for governor; and tn at
there was plenty of money behind
Knute Nelson, and that he and this de-
ponent might as we'll make some money
by so doing through this campaign
That said editor had up to that week
supported Hon. lgnatius Donnelly for
governor and the whole Peoples party
national and state ticket: and upon this
deDonent then discovering that he was
about to prove a traitor to the cause, he
0hiS deponenD decided to play the
detective, and with that purpose
in view answered said editor in such a
manner as led him to believe that this
depOnent was willing to do as he adj
yiSed; whereupon the said editor told
this deponent to call on l.. K. Aaker at
the United States land office at O'clock
that afternoon, and that before that
time he said EDITOR would arrange with
said Aaker for meeting with this de-
ponent at that time and place, and that
thereupOn this deponent left said editor
with the understanding that he would
call upon the said l.. x. Aaker at the
hour stated that afternoon.
Exposure Arranged.
That Immediately after that interview
with said editor this deponent went to
the office of A. Il. Holston, county attor-
ney of said Polk county, and made
full statement to him of what trans
pred and was said between him and
said editor, as hereinbefOre stated, and
asked and consulted with said county
attorney as to what was best and proper
to do to fully ascertain and expose the
doodle methods and corrupt prac-
tees of the Republican party
and its managers and advocates;
and that, after consulting with
said Holston, it was decided and con-
cluded that this deponent should, for the
nat tn To FOL
with the said proposition of SAID editor,
and if possible to secure positive proof
that the parties who are supporting
Knute Nelson for governor are buying
up newspapers, and otherwise using
money cortuptly and in the manner
above indicated, to secure his election.
Deal with Aaker.
That at or about O'clock that after
noon this deponent called upon said l..
X. Aaker. at the United States land
Office, in said Crookstou, as requested
and advised by said editor, and found
said Aaker waiting for this -deponent,
and that upon this deponent'S arriving
there said Aaker. after the usual greet
ing, said: Il understand that you are
willing to help us up there, and do
something for Nelson and Feige." l
replied by saving, Yes. L think l can
help you out llttle;" and he then
asked: "How much money do you want
to do this for Us ?" Deponelit answered
as follows: Il don't know, but l think
| will want pretty large amount
to do thiS;'' and he responded
by saying: You wait. and don't
say anything in your paper against
Dalen or Knute Nelson, and l Will rite
to the Republican committee and ar
range matters and let you know when
to come down." adding 1--WE can't af-
ford to have you going against Knute
Nelson up there" and that thereupon
this deponent left said Aaker.
DeDonent further says that on the
18th day of September. 1892. he received
at said Mcintosh. by due course of mail,
a letter from Crookston, which letter
had no signature thereto, but which
this deponent believes to be in the hand
writing of said Aaker. the annexed be-
ing all original copy of aid letter.
That, iDaSmuch as there would be no
train go from Mcintosh OH said Dist of
September, this deponent went TO Clook-
ston on the Doth day of September, 1892:
and that upon arriving at CrOokston the
said l.. X. Aaker (knowing that this de-
ponent was coming on said tran) met
him at the Great Northern depot at
Crookston, and called this deponent
aside and asked this deponent if he
had received his (said Aaker's) letter
above set forth; that this deponent
said he had; whereupon said l.. K.
Aaker told this deponent to come up to
the land Office, and this deponent did
so soon thereafter, and that upon ar
irving at said land Office said l.. K.
Aaker told this deponent to come around
to the land office the next day, and that
Converse, the committeeman, would be
there, and wanted to see this depOnent,
whereupon this deponent left the land
Office.
Meeting With Converse
That the next day Ghe 2lst day of
September. 1922 the Republican county
convention was held in said Crookston,
and. as Henry Feige. Republican caudi-
date for congress, and SAID Converse
were there, and their time, together with
that of said l.. K. Aaker. seemed to be
fully employed with said convention
and the delegates in attendance thereat,
this deponent did not call upon said l..
X. Aaker until late i'm the afternoon of
that day; that after the adjournment Of
that convention this deponent called
upon said L. K. Aaker at the United
States land Office. and found him there,
and that thereupon said Tx. Aaker told
this deponent to go up stairs to the
third floor of that building and
that this deponent would find
one Converse (who is member of the
Republican state committee), in room
at the end of the hall; whereupon this
deponent went up stairs and met said
Converse in said room. Said Converse
then asked this deponent how much he
would take to speak kindly of Knute