Viewing page 60 of 227
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
18 19 BOUNTIES TO COLORED SOLDIERS. thus exposing his rascality. And further, he caused the arrest of the Messrs. Hickey to prevent their bringing the parties whom he had swindled before the commission. Seventh. That he threatened and endeavored to bribe witnesses to prevent their appearing and testifying before the pension commission. Eighth. That he made advances of "magic oil," and took receipts calling it money. Ninth. A letter hereto attached marked "Exhibit," dated Nashville, Tennessee, October 8, 1869, signed M. M. Cloon, shows that he went before the pension commission, representing himself as a newspaper reporter, and thereby obtained information which enabled him to issue his fraudulent notices, and cause him to threaten and endeavor to bribe witnesses. [Exhibit.] LAW OFFICE OF L.I. NOAH & F.W. SALMONSON, No. 63 1/2 Cedar street, Nashville, October 8, 1869. GENTLEMEN: On yesterday I wrote you, asking you that you forward me immediately the names of the different witnesses in our pension cases. Since then I have determined that it would be rather difficult for you to furnish the names of the witnesses in all the cases; therefore you will please give the names of all witnesses in as many Giles County cases as possible--that is, those cases executed before "Welborn." I I don't intend having any of my Maury County cases brought before the commission. Remember that you much show what each and every witness proved. This is a matter of vital importance, but less to you than to myself. It will in future determine what attorneys ought to command the respect of the department. So you will please give the matter your immediate attention. I have gone before the committee as a reporter, and have got a full and complete history of their proceedings. I have been shown many a document and application which was forwarded from my office through you, as well as many which were forwarded through others. I shall go before them to-day again in a new role, and take with me some officers of the garrison at this place, together with Judge Trigg, of the United States circuit court, and some other United States Officers. Truly yours, M.M. CLOON. Messrs. O'NEILL & DUFOUR, Washington, D. C. You should give the names and dates of births of the children, when and by whom married, &c. Tenth. That he has filed fraudulent claims against the government, well knowing them to be fraudulent. (See cases of Martha Drake and William Findley.) Particular attention is in this connection invited to the case of Lina Ballentine, the original paper in which cases are filed herewith. Eleventh. That he has falsely represented himself to be an agent of the government of the United States for the collection and payment of bounties. CHIPMAN, HOSMER & CO. In a letter dated Florence, Alabama, June 15, 1869, Cloon, over the signature of M.M. Cloon, charges thus: I have not forgotten the swindling arrangement entered into some time ago between Chipman, Hosmer & Co. and some of you gentlemen who figured rather conspicuously in the bureau at Washington. I have not forgotten the conduct of Mann, who came down here some time ago on a swindling expedition, and I suppose you have not forgotten it. Then why don't you use your influence with the Second Auditor, and try and have Chipman, Hosmer & Co. suspended, whose rascality is known all over the United States? Mr. Cloon, having received about ten days' notice, produced his witnesses, and they were examined at Pulaski, Tennesee, on the 10th... BOUNTIES TO COLORED SOLDIERS. and 11th days of January, 1870. The following is a synopsis of their testimony: Henry Hargrove, Company K One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, put in his claim with C.A. Beckert, two years ago. Received $50 advances, and signed a receipt in presence of Squire Baugh. (Schedule marked Drew, A No.4, shows certificate No.366,706, amount $203 20, and advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co. $100 paid the 7th January, 1868.) Jerry Jenkins, Company K One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, filed claim with Beckert. Received from Beckert $20, advanced. Signed a paper. Never received any other money from Beckert, save $40 for commutation of rations. (Drew, A No.8, shows certificate No.356,730 for $203 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co., and paid on the 31st day of January, 1868, $40.) James Vance, 1st, Company I One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, filed claim with Beckert. Received from Beckert $50, advanced. (Drew, A No.33, shows certificate No.366,681 for $300 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co., and paid on the 7th day of January, 1868, $150.) Thomas Upshur, Company K One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, filed claim with Beckert. Received from Beckert $25, advanced. (Drew, A 32, shows certificate No. 366,726 for $203 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co., and paid on the 3d day of January, 1868, $50.) Poldo Bailey, Company K One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, filed claim with Beckert. Received from Beckert $50, advanced. (Drew, A No.36, shows certificate No. 366,693 for $203 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co., and paid on the 7th day of January, 1868, $100.) William Reedus, Company I One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, filed claim with Beckert. Received from Beckert $100, advanced. (Drew, D, shows treasury certificate No.366,677 for $300 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co.; and paid on the 9th day of December, 1867, $200.) James Brown, Company I One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, filed claim with Beckert. Received from Beckert $35, advanced. (Drew, A No.37, shows certificate No.336,665 for $300 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co., and paid on the 3d day of February, 1868, $80.) Albert Harney, Company K One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, filed claim with Beckert. Received from Beckert $50, advanced. (Drew, A No.6, shows certificate No.366,704 for $203 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co., and paid on the 7th day of January, 1868, $100.) Henry Hines, Company H One hundred and tenth United States colored troops, received from one Goldsmith $80, advanced. (Drew, A No.5, shows certificate No.363,225 for $204 20. Advances collected by Chipman, Hosmer & Co., and paid on the ___day of ___, 1868, $188 20.) Now by reference to the affidavit of W.H. Baugh, justice of the peace, it will be seen that Charles A. Beckert and D. A. Mann, in January or February, 1868, advanced money and took receipts therefor at the house of said Baugh; he does not know the amount set forth in the receipt, whether it corresponded with the amount advanced or not. He took no official acknowledgement of the advances, nor did any one else; that William Reedus received $50, James Vance 1st, and James
