The Norfolk weekly news. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1888-1900, 1899-10-26

told undcr oath the story when
had already been made public. The
appearance Of the ballots and the cvi.
dcnCc Cf n dozen witnesses from Lin
coin and from york c~orrobprntrd the
testimony If the informcr, and not a
one of llolcomb's cohorts dared to
come forward to deny the story. Tho
testimony of the man SimOns, In which
he gave the details of the fraud and
told Of llolcOmb's connection with II,
Is given in part below, and will bcar
the close reading of thoughtful people:
SlMON'S TESTIMONY.
Edward l.. SimoEs. being duly
sworn testified, AZ follows:
ny Mr.. Pound:
Q.-Mr. SimOns state your residence
and occupation.
Al live in Lincoln, Lancaster coun-
ty and a brick layer by occupation.
Glow long have you lived there?
A. Fifteen yeas.
Q.-You lived here the winter of 1897
when the legislature was in session?
Ayes. sir.
Q.-Wcre you employed in any ca
pacity by either of the ccoun com
lnlSSlou uDDul lll' Iillo'S vast III 'h'
constitutional amendment in the clcC-
ton Of 1896?
Al was employed as n guard to
watch the ballots in the vault of the
secretary of states Office at the time
that the legislature took the ballots
from the rccOun commission.
Q.-Iou were guard also in the see
Ond recount?
Al was guard over the ballots
during the intermediate time Of the
two sessions.
Q.-Prior to the time the second
committee was appointed did you AVE
anything to do with the ballots or any
OF them?
A.-Not in the official capacity.
Odd you in any other?
o. did.
Odd you have any special inter
est in the matter of the result of that
recountI
Al did.
Q.-State what that was?
Al had had II law suit with II
party for $50 acres of land and the
rent of it for 10 yenrs-20O acres of
land and the rent of it for l3 years.
Q.-Whcrc was that suit pending at
that time?
AIT this time it had been settled
by compromise but | was figuring on
having the heirs interest taken to the
supreme court.
Odd you think that gave You any
interest in the result of this recount?
Al think 1t did or would have.
On what way?
Al thought If | would steal the
judges in they would help the boy out.
ARRANGED FOR A STEAL.
Odd you approach any one IL
authority OF Office with reference to
this. particularly about the time these
ballots were to be ~recountcd?
Al spoke with the parties manipu-
lating the recount.
Q.-Who did you speak to?
AIR. Edmisten.
Q.-Givc his initials?
A.-James II. Edmistcn, he was state
oil inspector and chairman Of the State
Central Committee.
Q.-Whcn did YOU speak about this?
A.-Bcfore the legislature convened.
Q.-What did YOU tell HIM?
Al told him how | was situated
and | wanted to help steal those Judges
in.
GLOW many times did YOU speak
to him about that?
AFTER the Legislature convened
| was there every day.
Odd he have an Office in the cap
itol building?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-State where ii wa ssituated?
Alt NDG situated whnra EnnnrDI
Barry'S Office is now.
Gin pursuance with your talk with
him was there anything done and if
so what was il and when?
A.-Theve was Il bill passed by the
legislature for IA recoun commission
and the commission was appointed by
the governor and when they was APP
pointed that organized the next day
and the next night We
Q.-WhO We're we2
A.-That is Edmisten Blake and
myself and several other parties.
Q.-That was the night after the
commission was appointed and or
ganiGed?
A.-Night after the organization.
Q.-Where did YOU meet?
An Edmisten's private Office.
Q.-Who procured You to meet
there?
Ave knew where to go.
Q.-Who told you where to go?
Alt was mutually understood
among all Of us.
Q.-What preparation did you make
there?
EDMlSTEN SWlPES TIE BALLOTS.
A.-Why We had "A talk and Edmis-
ten went into the secretary Of states
Office and got the first bunch of ballots.
Q.-The secretary OF states Office is
on the same floor?
A.-Yes, sir; he occupied the corner
opposite EdmiSten's.
Q.-Where were these ballots at that
time?
Ain the secretary of states office.
Q.-ln what manner?
A.-They We're in packages as re-
ceiyed by the secretary.
O.-Was there a guard over them?
A.-Nes, sir.
Q.-Who was it?
A.-Kelsey.
Q.-When EdmiSten got the ballots
what did he do with them?
A,-Opened the envelopes aud got
them out.