New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-01
DEATH or J. MADISON WELLS.
THE MAN WHOSE NAME WAS IDENTIFIED
WITH THE LOUISIANA RETURN
ING BOARD IN 1876

New-Oreans. Feb 2s CSpeciaD.--J. Madison Wells.
one OF the foremost characters in the history OF
Louisiana, died to-day the age OF ninety-one
years He had held many public places but the
details OF his early life lost in the general con-
fusion Of the years preceding the He was
Reconstruction Governor OF the State Of Louisiana,
was chairman OF the Returning Board that finally
seated r. p Hayes In the Presidential chair was
a wealthy planter. a famous horseman. man OF
remarkable physical courage, and for the last few
years had been blind and petitioner before Con
gress FOR vast sums lost in the Civil War.
J. Madison Wells descended from South
Carolina family OF great prominence but he was
born in Louisiana on the Lecompte plantation,
splendid estate near Donaldsonv!lle on which he
died to-day In early life he was Democrat but
he changed with the Abolition idea and became
Republican, though at just what date It has never
been determined. He was in ante-beum days
one Of the bestknown breeders and racers Of thor
oughbreds in the United States. ard owned the
remarkable Lecompte. whoce matched race with
Eclipse at the Metairle track in New-Or!eans is
almost as famous as the between the steam
beats Natchez and Bob Lee the Mississippi.
River.
Michael Hahn. the first Governor Of louisiana
after the war, had J. Madison Wells as his Lieu
nant-Governor and when in 1864 Hahn was
elected though never seated. United States Sen
ator Wells became Governor 10 I'll out the term
In 1866 he was elected Governor Of the State. with
only few thousand votes cast. and everything
still administered BY the power Of the musket'
From 1856 70 1872 Louisiana In a constant tur-
MOL through which the name Of J. Madison NeAs
was frequently heard. even being spoken OF al the
time OF the Grant Parish massacre Of negroes, one
OF the most awful episodes in q history OF IN
eouaIed ferocty At that time Wells. though
Republican Of Republicans. arrayed himself against
the negroes whose atrocities had even reached
member Of his own family.
Wells next became prominent before the Cnitea
States In 1866 when he was selected as CHAIRMAN
Of the Returning Board that was 10 pass upon me
election OF State and Federal officers. The BoaTd
consisted # ! Madison Wells United States Naval
been candidate for the State Senate IN the can
vsgs l. NJ Keller and G. Cassauave ootn nSgtots
and oscar Arroyo, d Democrat. VINO ifnmeu'd'cs
IRE work Of the Returning Board, OF when
Wells was the master mind, resulted in the decIat5
atiofl that through frauds in Vernon Parlsn anu
elsewhere the election returns were false ana la9
the HAYES Electors had been chosen 49,.
In January 1873 TWO years later alter me TITUS
of September H. the members OF me ketnr ridn
BOARD were indicted for forgery, ana AhoeIs0lL
mon test case was convicted. but afterward tne
Silnrelne Court reversed the decision ana Ier' 1He
returning officers IN freedom. .,
TIE Democrats OF Louisiana have never IotzlEsh
Wells Cor his connection with the Hayes eplsoue
A. he ,irne OF his death Wells was, with the as
eisrance of Senator McEnery. pushing a claln pc
for Congress for $4,000 for the total deslr5Iloh
~ tfs r,~6oerty i'm the war. He left eight chidren