Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1883 — PENSION FRAUDS. [ARTICLE]

PENSION FRAUDS.

A Motley Crowd of Sharpers Engaged in the Pension-Agency Business. Ex-Rebel Soldiers Induced to File Claims, and Fees Collected from Them. [iVishington Telegram.] Gen. Dudley lestificd before the grand jury that be was not aware that a certain attorney, whose flaming circulars were shown him, now practiced before his office. A reference to the city directory showed that the ’only man of this name was a shoemaker. A visit to the place revealed a store with an excellent stock of ladies’ slices. An inquiry lot- the proprietor brought answer -that he was in the back room. He was found in his shirtsleeves, with an apron and knife, with several workmen around him, busily engaged in making shoes. In reply to a question he said he was the person referred to, and to further inquiry whether he was a pension attorney he said he was. He said that any friend could safely be referred to him to prosecute his claim; that he had blanks, and that he would furnish those necessary to the case. Thereupon he took off his apron, laid down his shoes and knife, and going up-stairs sootireturned with the pension blanks. There was ho attorney's sign about the place, and nothing about .the inner indicate tfint he had any other | rofession than that of a shoemaker. It is also discovered that among those engaged in this business is a colored man, who when asked by the Commissioners for his profession or business Occupation other than that of a pension attorney, said, “Nothing more tiffin a rag-gatherer..” Among others practicing aa pension agents who answered this question were one minister, two editors, one publisher fall four unknown to the public), two farmers, one photographer, one dealer in hardware, two grocers, one pressman, one banker, one bank cashier, one tailoress, one copyist and one inventor. Several firms have been reported for filing the claims of Rebel soldiers for a variety of wounds and diseases resulting from military service as Confederates. In all cases tho declarations made on the Hanks required for Union soldiers plainly disclose that the applicant was a Rebel soldier. The only possible object In filing such cases Is to get the fee of these ignorant Confederates. The declaration of N. E. Hood, of South Carolina troops, states that he was honorably discharged at Appomatox April 9, 1865, received a gunshot wound at the battle Of the Wilderness, was treated in the hospitals of Lynchburg and Columbia, S. C., has resided since the war in Virginia, and ends with the statement required from all Union soldiers: “I have never been employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as set forth above.”