Evening journal., 1892-11-02
HOLY JONATHAN!
Preacher Willis is Accused
of Bribery.
SMITH AT IT AGAIN
Cyrus Wards Affidavit Made
Public.

0ttAAeAAA''ANA%~A
proached-wilIis and Smith Accused of
visiting Both Men and Offering Them
offices in Return for Treaohery-The
Two Men Who Were to Have Called at
Smiths House on the Night Major
wootten Played Higgins for a Sucker
Give the Conspirators Away-Midnight
Ride Through Sands and PInes-william
Ward Was the Man with Whom Ne
gotiatlons Were Sought to be Opened.
LAUREL, Nov. Rev Jonathan S.
Willis, Republican candidate for Con-
gress, and Postmaster George E. Smith,
the Laurel ederal official who figured so
largely in the Higgins Wootten scandal,
are accused of having approached two
Democratic officers in Little Creek hun
dred, Sussex county and offering them
bribes of Federal office for their political
influence in the secret support of the
Republican ticket.
The men who assert that they were Of
fered bribes are Cyrus Ward, a we'll
known farmer who lives six miles east of
Laurel, and who is Democratic candidate
for county treasurer, and Levy Court
Commissioner Charles Elzey, a farmer
whose place of abode is four miles west
Of Laurel
The bribe offered in each instance was
a Fede raj office.
why They Were Approached.
T These men have been lifelong and
hard working Democrats and the question
might naturally be asked why the two
1t was an easier thing TO do than in the
case of Major Wootten, because Smith
and his co-laborer took it for granted
that the two men were sore-heads be-
cause they had been turned down in their
official aspirations.
Ward Wanted to BE Sheriff.
Cyrus Ward has had several political
disappOintments. Governor Reynolds
refused to appoint him prothonotary and
gave the place to Josiah Marvel, Secre
tary of State Marvel's father.
Mr. Ward then took the field for the
shrievalty nomination. He made hard
fight for the place, but when the Demo
cratic county convention met at George
town, he was defeated, after several bal
lots by John Truitt, of Lewis and Re
hoboth hundred The vote stood 10 to q
in Truitt's favor
Charles Elzey, the Levy Court commits
sioner, is the man who succeeded Hamil
ton B. Owens, the Republican Lew
Court commissioner who died. Governo
Reynolds appointed Elzey and made th'
Levy Court Democratic instead Of
Republican body
Elzev wanted to succeed himself bu
the Little Creek hundred delegation wa
captured by ]. w. Hastings who secured
the nomination.
These were the two men who were T.
have called at Postmaster Smiths hous
on the night Of October 13 to meet Sena
tor Higgins. The house was watche,
and it is known that they did not kee
the appointment.
Excitement I'm Laurel.
When the staff correspondent of tn
EVENING JOURNAL reached this place tC
night he found everything in a state q
excitement The Democrats were e1
cited because of the discovery of tn
gigantic frauds disclosed, and the RI
publicans were in ferment be caus
they knew something was up, but coul
not find out what it was.
Getting the Afidavit.
As soon as the reporter reached th
centre Of the town he heard that Charlie
w. McFee and ex-Sherif Purnall,
Georgetown, had driven from the count
seat TO Wards place for the purpose
getting from him an affidavit.
The reporter took carriage and dro'
to Wards house, six miles through sar
such as New Castle countians, new,
dreamed of on their country road
When he reached the home of Mr.. Wai
his wife informed him that Mr.. Wa
had gone TO Laurel, and would probab
be gone until midnight. Only one ca
riage was met on the way out and tn
proved to be the one in which Cyrl
Ward and Charles w. McFee we
seated
The Brother Tells His story.
''How far is it to William Ware
house'" asked the reporter Of his col
panion
reply.
''Take me there, please"
The distance was soon covered by I
spirited no. Sc.
Mr.. Ward was in bed. He was call
up The reporter informed him of
errand and was invited to his kitche
which was the only part of the hou
open. He keeps small country store
the fork roads and is a well-to- farm
He is known the county over for
hospitality.
willis. Republican candidate for CS
gress. and Postmaster Smith, of Laur
come to your store some time ag'
"Yes."
"When was itg" Let me see-it l
been about a month ago.
"Can you give me the dayY' "It
about a week after the Democra
county convention held in Georgetowi
did they drive upi' Yes; l thi
It was Smiths horse.
s.You know Willis and Smith" ''Y
think Willis wore a linen duster.
what did they sayi'' George SIN
came in and said take seat.
took seats on the front porch on b
He introduced me to Mr.. Willis SIN
wanted to know il Cyrus was not lit
dissatisfied with the ticket, especia
his nomination for county treasurer.
TTa didn't fraf w