He contested the election of his Democratic Party opponent Stephen A. Corker to the U.S. House of Representatives citing voter intimidation including violent attacks, local police and election official interference, vote rigging, and voter fraud.
Corker presented his credentials to Congress and was seated on January 24, 1871 pending the results of the Elections Committee.
One witness, Washington Dawson, recalled Republican voters being threatened with being attacked by the Ku Klux Klan if they did not vote the Democratic ticket.
Other witnesses reported the election to have been peaceful and fair, and that some blacks had voted willingly for Corker.
[2] Beard is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia.