South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-26
MAY BE LAST LEADING
WITNESS IN FRAUD TRIAL
Says Roberts Told Him He Did
Not Want Any Fools Ap-
pointed on the TaylOrviIIe
Board.

INDIANAPOLIS. March 26.-Jee
Jeffers. probably the last important
witness in the prosecution Of the Terre
HaUte election fraud cases before
Judge Anderson in federal court here,
was called 10 the stand shortly before
noon today in the governments at
tempt TO connect DOnn NJ. Roberts
ard others with strOng-aTm methods
- during last NOvember's election. In
crest in Jeffers' testimony was intense
and the spectators leaned forward eX-
peCtanuy 10 hear every word.
Further evidence OF false registTa-
tion and crooked voting was brought
out through the testimony of Jeffers
brother, Ed Merritt, Robert Jenkins
and County Clerk Joyce, who told of
Roberts attempt TO get a bogus pro-
hibition ticket in the field
PatrOlman and Farmer.
Jeffers gave his occupation as pa
trOlman, but admitted he owned boats
ON the river. was river policeman,
made balloon ascensiOns, and farmed.
He said Roberts appointed him spe-
cial policeman. He said he worked
with Roberts in politics for several
years Roberts, he said, had told him
10 take instructions from Chief HOller
and Asst. Chief Nugent
who appointed the TaylJryille
board 2" asked Dist Atty. DALEY.
'I did" said Jeffers, who was pre-
cinct committeeman. He was sent 10
city Controller Talbot before regis
tradon day and got the "phoney"
registration applications that had been
appOrtioned 10 Taylorville. These ne
took TO Taylorville and put them i'm an
empty beer box.
How many false registration were
copied on your books ~
"All we could get" replied Jeners.
Roberts Didn't Want Fools.
Jeffers said there was repeating dur
ing registration but none at election.
Did YOU talk 10 Roberts about the
TaylOrville board" asked DALEY.
Yes, he said he did not want any
fools on that board that / couldn't
handle. Later he said that he did
not want anyone on the board that
ne could not buy. Jefers said he
gave the names Of democratic and
progressive members To Roberts and
that Roberts told him they would get
William House and Harvey Day, pro-
gresive members off the board If they
had TO arrest them
Tells How Voting Was Done.
Earl Jehers. brother of Joe Jeners,
acting as progressive member of the
Taylorville board at the request of his
brother who told him DOnn Roberts
wished il. told how so large "a demo-
cratic vote was secured at that pre-
Cinct without repeaters.
"I would hand cards to the clerk;
he would write the names on the
RYoters' list and one of us would vote
<them on the machine" explained JEFF
fers
Did YOU vote all the democratic
row OF keys" asked Dist Atty Daley.
NO. we voted for Bob Anderson.
progressive candidate for constable.
Anderson was the victim of "a frame
up and was arrested the night before.
Ed +. Merritt. also on the Taylor
vile board. corrobOrated Jefters' tes-
timonv and said he was promised SO
but received only So for his work. The
false registration applications were
put in beer box and taken out as
needed.
Robert Jenkins .swoTe that Harry
Montgomery president OF the board
OF public works, often voted for men
refused 90 allow the clerks 10 instruct
voters. and stood where ne could see
"A mans vote. regardless OF protest
During Jenkins absence OF 10 min
utes from the registration board
Montgomery had accepted eight or 10
applications OF people unknown TO
him. although he had lived In the
precinct n years Defense attempted
10 establish the fact that other mem
bers of the board gave him consent
TO operate the machine.
SAYS Roberts Directed IL.
The evidence shows InterpOsed
paiIev. that Donn Roberts instructed
the inspectors 20 operate the machine
as a part of the conspiracy and II
does not make any difference whether
He had consent OF any one cor not;
the law prohibited it
The witness explained. howeN er
that he did protest against IT.
John II. Joyce. county clerk, was
asked about the prohibition ticket
Roberts rs said TO have named. Joyce
said ne threw the ticket in the waste
basket because he knew 10 was bogus.
The list was handed In 10y NuSehl,
who s,..d Roberts gave II 10 him.
Did YOU recognize any OF Brother
Roberts coworkers on the llst!' ask
ed DALEY
well. I don't know. There were
some prohibitionIsts on IL Joyce also
read the names Of candidates for
United States senator and congress
man.
only one of the quartet who were
sent 20 Jail i'm default OF $4,000 bail
imposed by Judge Anderson for al
legged tamperiug with witnesses. Alex
Aczel. now remains I'm jail. Roberts
shea and Smith having succeeded i'm
Obtaining bail
Throughout the trial Mayor Rob
erts' wife and pretty daughter. Math-
llde. have remained close by. and as
sisted him IA every way Mrs Rob
erts was especially active In obtaining
,ond yesterday.