ARMY OF THE
UNITED STATES
CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY
FOR DISCHARGE
(To be used in
duplicate, in all cases of discharge on account of disability.)
Private L. Dow Crist of Captain Henry C. Pikes’s Company, (D) of the second Regiment of Ohio
Vol. Cavalry was enlisted by Capt.
J.B. Franklin of the Second Regiment of Ohio
Vol. Cavy, at Cleveland,
Ohio on the Twenty-fifth
day of August 1861, to serve
three years; he was born in Ashland Co. in the State of Ohio, is Twenty
Two years of age, five
feet eight inches high, light complexion, hazel eyes, Auburn hair, and by occupation when enlisted a Teacher. During the last two months said soldier has
been unfit for duty sixty days. Said
soldier suffered severely from Small pox in Dec. & Jany /61 & /62 and
when he recovered was attacked with the measles, from which diseases and much
exposed his system had become so enfeebled and broken down that it seems
impossible for him to recover while exposed to the hardships of camp life. He has done less than two month’s duty in the
past year.
Henry G. Wolcot, 2nd Lieut.
Station: Camp Chase, O.
Date:
February 12th 1863
I
certify, that I have carefully examined the said L. Dow Crist of Captain H.C.
Pike’s Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a
soldier because of which will for a long t ime totall y unfit him general debility resulting from a severe
attack of small pox followed by measles and then by pneumonia. He is now subject to frequent attacks of
erysipelas & though a very sound man previous to the above mentioned
attacks, here is now a constitutional
irritability & weakness for
military duty.
Alfred
Taylor, Surgeon 2nd
B.E.C
Discharged,
this 16 day of Feby 1863 at Columbus, O.
A.B.
Dod
Capt
15 U.S.I.
Commanding
the Post
Note 1.-- When a probable case for pension, special care
must be taken to state the degree of disability.Note 2.-- The place where the
soldier desires to be addressed may be here added.
Pension
Records of Dow Crist Box 33246
Cert.
139,135 Ann M. Mother of Dow Christ
WAR
OF 1861 Act of July 14, 1862
139,135
CLAIM FOR
MOTHER’S PENSION
Brief in the case of Ann
M._Crist, Mother of Dow Crist in Co. “B” 128th Reg. Ohio, Vols. resident of Ashland County,
and State of Ohio.
Post
Office address: Sullivan,
Ashland Co. Ohio.
DECLARATION AND
IDENTIFICATION IN DUE FORM.
PROOF EXHIBITED
Service Rolls Show Muster August
22/64 & mustered out with Co.
July 13/65 (Frist enlisted August 25/61 & discharged
for disability Feb. 16/63)
Death Affidavit of attending physician shows he died August 8, 1866 of
Morbus Caxauas (illegible) hip disease.
The evidence of his officers and comrades show that he was previously
very sound and healthy, but while in the service, was much exposed, had Small
Pox, Measles, and Erysipelas as said & that these diseases were the
predisposing & final cause of his death.
Celibacy no invalid claim filed
of Soldier
Relationship Mom & heir
Death or Husband died in 1849.
disability Claimant’s property does not
exceed $200. During the
of
the husband or year 1860 the soldier gave her about $12
per month or $144 the
year. In 1861 with his
enlistment he gave her about $50. In 1863 Dependence & 1864 he gave her food, fuel, & clothing out
of his school earnings & when he
re-enlisted in 1864 he gave her all his Bounty of $300.
.
Loyalty Noted
continued on page 2
continued from page 1
CLAIM FOR MOTHER’S PENSION Agent and M.B.
Stevens & Bro.
his P.O. Cleveland -- Cuyahoga Co.,
Ohio
address
Admitted Jany 19th 1870, to a pension of $8
per month,
commencing Augt. 8th, 1866.
C.M.Lowblins, Examining Clerk
State of OHIO
ASHLAND County
On this 8th
day of July A.D. 1869 personally appeared before
me, a PROBATE JUDGE in and for the county and State
above named (1) ANN M.
CRIST a resident of (2)
SULLIVAN in the county of ASHLAND
in the State of OHIO she being of the age of 60 years,
who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions
made by act of Congress approved July 14th, 1862: That she is the widow of (3) ABNER CRIST and
mother of DOW CRIST who was a
(4) PRIVATE in Company (5) B commanded by (6) Capt. McDonald in the (7) 128 Regiment of (8) OHIO INF. Volunteers in the war of 1861, who died (9) at home - Sullivan, Ohio
August 8th 1866 in consequence of
illness contracted in U.S. Service.
He mustered out July 13, 1865.
She
farther declares that her said son, upon whom she was wholly or in part
dependent for support, having no widow, or minor child under sixteen years of
age surviving, declarant makes this application for a pension, under the
above-mention act, and refers to the evidence filed herewith, and that in the
proper department, to establish her claim.
She also declares that she has not, in any
way, been engaged in or aided or abetted the rebellion in the United States;
that she is not in receipt of a pension under the second section of the act
above mentioned or under any other
act, not has she married since the death of her son, said DOW CRIST.
She further declares that shewas married to
the said (10) ABNER CRIST on the 26
day of Nov. in the year 1832: that her husband, the aforesaid ABNER CRIST
died in the year 1849. And she
further states that she believes there is NO public record of her said
marriage. That the amount of her
property in 1860 did not exceed four hundred
dollars in value. She has
not had more than_this sum since this
year. She has had no means of support at
her command besides her own labor and
the aid and assistance of her son aforesaid during his life time. At the date of his death he was 26 years of
age. Prior to the war & since he
was barely old enough to labor & earn money he has contributed loyally to
declarant’s support and
maintenance. At the time he entered the
above named regiment. He gave declarant $200, all his local bounty, to use as her
maintenance required; since his death_she has lived near poverty.
She makes this declaration for the
purpose of obtaining the Pension to which she is entitled by reason of the
services and death of her said son. And she hereby constitutes and appoints Milo B. Stevens & Bro. War
Claim Agents of Cleveland, Ohio
her Attorney with power of substitution, to prosecute the claim and
procure a Pension Certificate.
ANN
M. CRIST her name.
Witnessed by
ELI TRAST
MARGARET TRAST
Also, personally appeared before me ELI TRAST and MARGARET TRAST residents of ASHLAND CO., OHIO persons whom I certify to be respectable
and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw ANN M. CRIST sign her name to the foregoing
declaration; and they farther swear that
they have every reason to believe, from their knowledge of, and acquaintance with her, that she is the
identical person she represents herself to be, that they have not interest in
the prosecution of this claim, and they farther say they (13) KNOW her husband and son to be dead; that they died at the time and place
above-stated, and that she is still a widow.
Witnessed by Eli
Trast
F.C._Brushwell her
Edd_Miller Margaret
X Trast
mark
State
of Ohio
County
of Cuyahoga
In the
matter of claim for Pension
in the case of Ann M. Crist.
of Sullivan, Ashland Co., Ohio
mother of Dow Crist of Co. M 2nd Ohio Calvary Vols from Aug. 1861 to Feb. 1863
later of Company “B”, 128th Regiment Ohio Inf. Volunteers:
Personally
came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid County and State Melvill Porter Citizen of Ashtabula
State of Ohio reputable and entiled to credit, and who, being duly sworn,
declare in relation to aforesaid claim, as follows:
I formerly belonged to Co. M and Co. D 2nd Ohio
Calvary and was acquainted with Dow or
Lorenzo Dow Crist who belonged to same companies. I knew him for more than ten years before the
war and can testify to his good health up to enlisting the 2nd Ohio Calvary and
up to some time in Dec 1861 when at Camp Deunion O, he was taken sick with
small pox contracted in camp in line of duty.
He was with us to Missouri but was not able to do any duty.
In March (I think not sure) at
Ft. Leavenworth he contracted measles and went to Hood. After that he went home on leave of absence
or I think on promise of discharge. He came back however to the regiment in
latter part of 1862 & did duty although not in the enjoyment of such good
health as he had before the war. When
the Regt came to camp Chose for reorganization he came with us and was
discharged.
I saw
Crist in Feb and March 1864 when I was at home (then Sullivan, Ohio where
Crist died) on veteran’s furlough.
He was then in poor health. I saw
him again after he was discharged from the 128th Ohio July and almost daily
from said discharge to death. Nursed him
much of the time. He was lame the
trouble was with his hip - was called rheumatism but presumed to be a hip joint
disease of which he died.
I
further declare that I Have no interest in said claim, and am not concerned in
its prosecution.
Melville
Porter
Signature
of Affiants
State
of Ohio
County
of Ashland
In the
matter of claim for Pension in the case of Ann M. Crist of Ashland
Co., Ohio, mother of Dow Crist deceased, late of Co. “D” 2nd Ohio Cavy Vols
and Company “B”, 128 Regiment Ohio Inf Volunteers:
Personally came before me, a Justice
of the Peace in and for aforesaid County and state William S. Shaw, M.D. citizen of the County of Ashland State of Ohio reputable and entitled to
credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid claim, as
follows:
I have
been a regular practicing physician for eight years last past I treated said Dow Crist during his last
sickness. He died August 8, 1866 in
consequence of Morbus Coxanous or hip joint disease an abscess formed in thigh
and groin. I commenced to treat him on
or about Oct 20th 1865 and he continued under my care until his death which
occurred as stayed above.
Between August 1864 the date of said Crist joining the Regiment last above
named and his discharge there from he to my personal knowledge (having seen him
at different times) was afficted with what was called Rheumatism but what was
really, as the signed proved, Morbus Coxanious of which he died.
Said
soldier was not at date of last enlistment afflicted with said disease but I am
not prepared to state that there was
not a predisposition thereto. He had served in Co, “D” 2nd Ohio Cavy and was
then afflicted with various diseases as I am told & finally in July ‘63 was
discharged for disability and was never after in perfect health. In March 1864 I treated him for a choronic
abscess in the side of his face. It
healed after two months. He said this was caused by Erysipelas he had in the
service in first named Regt.
The
abscess in the thigh had no connection with the one in his face was
very unlike it
but it is possible that the predisposing cause to former is to be found
in the exhaustion of the vital powers in the first service.
I further
declare that I have no interest in said claim, and am not concerned in its
prosecution.
M.S. Shaw
Signature
of Affiant
State of Ohio
County
of Ashland
In the matter of claim for Pension in the
case Ann M. Crist of Sullivan,
Ashland Co., Ohio. mother of Dow Crist, deceased, late private
of Company B, 128 Regiment Ohio Inf Volunteers.
Personally
came before me, a Justice of the
peace in and for aforesaid County and State Jacob Hershey & John Hardenbrook citizens of the County
of Ashland State of Ohio reputable and entitled to
credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid claim, as
follows:
They
have known Mrs. Ann M. Crist
aforesaid for thirty years last past-- known her family. They have lived in the same neighborhood with
her and from their intimate personal acquaintance with her. her family and circumstances are able to and
do much for the correctness of the following facts. She is the mother of Dow Crist aforesaid who died at home on the 8th of August 1866 in
consequence of some disease of the hip joint which disease is said to have been
contracted in the United States service.
Said Dow Crist died leaving
no widow, child or children never having been married.
Abner Crist the father of said soldier
and the husband of said Ann M. Crist died long before the war-- died
in the county in the year 1849 . Mrs. Crist, the claimant, has little or no property or means of
support. Her property at this time does
not exceed in value fifty (50) dollars.
Not since January 1st 1860 (& in fact before that date) has she had
property exceeding in value two hundred $200) dollars.
Dow Crist aforesaid was her
only son (able to render her any support) and at the time of his death he was
26 years old. Ever since he was old
enough to do so he has earned money and contributed regularly to the support
and maintenance of his mother and two young sisters. During the year 1860 the value of such
contributions was about one hundred forty four dollars or at this date upon an
average of twelve dollars per month. In
the year 1861 up to about Sept 1st he contributed about fifty dollars to his
mother’s support. Sept. 1st or about
that date he entered the service in Co. M (or D) 2nd Ohio Cavalry Soon after
this enlistment he got the small pox- afterwards the measles-
afterwards the Erysipelas and was at last discharged July 1863. His sickness in the service used up his pay
so
that no moneys was sent home. His mother & sisters managed to get along
by the charitable aid of friends & neighbors. After recovering his health in 1863 her said
son Dow Crist went to Illinois and
taught school for a term earning about one hundred dollars with which he
returned home and again shared his earnings with is mother providing for her
necessities purchasing food, fuel, clothing etc. etc. until in August 1864 he
again entered the service receiving a large bounty of three hundred dollars all of which he placed
in his mother’s hands for her to use as she needed & bought clothing food
payment etc. etc. He remained in C. B
128 O.V.I. until discharge of the Regt.
July 1865 but was not paid until discharge.
He came home suffering from what was called rheumatism but what proved
to be a disease of the hip joint. His
money went into the common fund of the
family but was used up long before his death-- as he was unable to leave his
bed for ten months before he died.
Be it
understood that Mrs. Crist the
claimant has been since Jany 1860 (& in fact for a longer period) in dependent circumstances and
that the aid rendered her by her son Dow
was for necessities and not mere gifts for luxuries. The money he furnished from time to time at above was used to purchase necessities as
was required and finally the last dollar almost of hisand his mother’s was used
by her in caring for his last sickness. Mrs. Crist has one unmarried daughter
and with no source of income depends upon her own labor and charity of friends
for a maintenance.
The
deponents have made the above statement mainly from personal knowledge. They have been and are now so circumstanced
as to know well the facts to which they have testified and feel confident that
what they have set forth above is true.
They further declare that they have no interest in said
claim, and are not concerned in its prosecution.
Jacob
Hershey
John
Hardenbrook
Signature
of Affiants
Continued on Page 3
Continued from Page 2
State
of Ohio
County
of Ashland
The
State of Ohio
Ashland
County, SS.
J. E.T. Drayton Clerk
of the County Court in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby
certify that R.W. McBrady Esq., whose genuine signature appears to the affidavit hereto alluded is and was at the time of
signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State
aforesaid duly Commissioned and Sworn;
and that the a foresaid County Court is a Court of Record having general
jurisdiction given under my hand and Seal of Office at Ashland, this 8
day
of June A.D. 1869.
E.T.
Drayton Clerk
Auditors
Office
Ashland County
Ashland, Co Oct 20, 1867
Mr. J.A. McColm
Sir,
There
is no property returned for taxation on the Book of this office in the name of
Ann M. Crist.
Yours,
(signature)
______139,135___
No. 177,542__
ACT OF
JULY 14, 1862.
Ann N.
Crist
Ashland
Co., Ohio
mother of
Dow Crist
Priv. B 128
O.V.
Died at Home O._
___Augt. 8,
1866___
Received July
15, 1869
___M.B.
Steveus & Co.
Cuyahoga
Co.
Adjutant
General’s Office,
Washington, D.C.
July
21, 1869
Sir,
I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of Application for
Pension No. 177,542, and to return it herewith with such information as
is furnished by the files of this Office.
It
appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that Dow Crist was enrolled on the 22 day of August,
1864 at Sandusky, Ohio in Co. “B”, 128 Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, to serve
three years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a Private and
Recruit on the 25 day of August 1864, as Sandusky, Ohio, in Co. “B”, 128
Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war. On the muster out Roll of Co. “B” of
that Regiment, dated July 13, 1865, he is reported mustered out with
company July 13, 1865. No evidence of
death on file in this office.
I
am, Sir, very respectfully,
your
obedient servant,
Sam.
Breck
Assisstant
Adjutant General
The
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington,
D.C.
Department of the Interior
Pension Office
August 2, 1869
Sir:
You
are respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment,
muster, service, duty, and cause of death of Dow Crist_, who was Private
in Company B 128, Regiment
of Ohio Vols., reported died
August 8, 1866 at home.
If
the above name is not found on the rolls of said Company, will you so state,
and report as to enrollment C., in the case of any man bearing a similar name
whom you have good reason for believing to be the soldier inquired for. When the rolls show him to have been a
prisoner of war, let that fact be reported.
Also report as to his previous service
in 1861 - 2 & 3 in Co. M or D. 2 Ohio Cavly Vols.
Please
return this circular with your report.
Claim
No. 177,542.
Respectfully,
yours,
H.
Van Aernam
Commissioner
Adjutant General, U. S. A.,
Present.
Room No. 111
Adjutant General’s Office
Washington D.C.
August 5, 1869
I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for
Pension No. 177,542 , and to
return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this
office.
It
appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that Dow Crist was enrolled on the 25th day of August
, 1861 , at Cleveland, O. in
Co. “M”,
2nd Regiment of Cav. Ohio Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the
war, and mustered into service as a Private
on the 30th day of October 1861, at Camp Wade O., in Co. “M”, 2nd Regiment of Cav. O. Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. “M” of that Regiment, for the
months of Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
1861, he is reported Present. Subsequent
rolls to Sept. 1, 1862, “Absent on sick furlough.” Roll for Sept., & Oct./62 not of
file. Dec. 31, /62 Present for
duty. Roll of Co. “D” said Regt for Jan
& Feb. /63 reports him Trans. from Camp. “M” Feb. 9, 1863
Discharged
for disability Feb 17, /63.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
_______Sam. Breck_____
Assistant
Adjutant General
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Adjutant General’s Office
Washington, D.C.
August
5, 1869
Sir,
I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of
application for Pension No. 177,542 , and to return it herewith, with such information
as is furnished by the files of this office.
It appears
from the Rolls on file in this Office, that a Dow Crist was enrolled on the 22 day of August,
1864, at Sandusky O
in Co. “B”, 128 Regiment
of Ohio Volunteers to serve _3_ years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a
Private from the _22_ day of August 1864, at Sandusky,
Ohio , in Co. “B” , 128th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the
war. On the Muster Out Roll of Co. “B” of that Regiment of
dated July 13, 1865 , he is
reported Mustered out with the Company.
Not evidence of death on file.
I
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your
obedient servant,
______Sam.
Breck____
Assistant Adjutant General
The
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington,
D.C.
State of Ohio
County of Ashland
In
the matter of claim for Pension in the case of Ann M. Crist of Sullivan,
Ashland Co., Ohio mother of Dow Crist of Co. M 2 Ohio Cavy. from Aug ‘61 to
July 1863 & later of Company B, 128 Regiment Ohio Inf Volunteers:
Personally
came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for aforesaid County and State Cornwell
Marsh (P.O. Sullivan O,) citizen of the Conty of Ashland State of Ohio reputable
and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to
aforesaid claim, as follows:
I formerly belonged to Co. M 2nd Ohio Cavy and well
know Dow Crist (or Lorenzo Dow Crist as he was sometimes
called), who was a member of same Co. .
I knew said Crist for four
years and even prior to his joining said Regiment during which time he was in
the enjoyment of good health so far as I
ever knew him. To the best of my
knowledge and belief he was in fact a sound healthy man when he joined said
service. He to my knowledge
preformed camp duty,
drill & up to about 12 Dec 1867 he was sent to Fort Hoop at Camp Ohio, on account of small
pox, contribed in line of duty there
having been other cases at the camp January 5, ‘62 the Regt. to St. Louis, Mo Crist with other
convalescents in charge of Regt. Surgeon. He was considerably & (illegible) the south & on reaching St.
Loius stopped for a time in Hosp. Beuton Barracks. He again moved with the Regt to Fort
Leavenworth, Ks & on reaching there came down with measels and was sent to
Host at this point. Regt moved on to Plate City, Mo. In two weeks Crist came on but went to Hosp.
then at this time he was very poor and
almost be severly infected he would live. I went myself to Surgeon Taylor now deceased and succeeded in getting him a furlough
home where he had some chance of surviving.
He returned to Regt. in later part of the
summer. His disease of this time had
assumed the character of erysifelos --
he was in very poor health at this time & premormed very little duty. When the Regt. went to Camp Chase to reorganinze
he went also and was then discharged.
the
time of leaving Camp Dennison to time of being furloughed Crist suffered greatly from
(illegible) & (illegible) proper nourishment a case the hospitals even having but poor
accommodations for the sick.
It came to my knowledge that Crist is August 1864 enlisted in Co. B 128th Ohio Vols. Leaving at Johanus Island O. until Regt. was (illegible) in July 1865. He died at home in this place in August 1866
on account of disease of the character of an abscess to said (illegible)
nothing of the history of his case of my own knowledge prior his discharge form
2nd O.V.C. Except from the first of Sep
1865. At that time he was under the Dr.
care. Durning this time the absess
(Illegible) offered and continued to
flow reducing his strength and system until death ensued.
I futher declare that I have no interest in said claim and am not concerend
in its prosecution.
Attest--when any affiant signs by mark (two persons)
C.
M. Porter Cromwell
Marsh
Signature
of Affiants
State of Ohio
County of
Ashland, ss
I.E.T.
Drayton Clerk of the
county
in and for the County and State
above
mentioned, do hereby certify that
N.
Porter ESQ., whose genuine
signature appears to the Affidavit
hereto
attached is and was at the time of
signing the same a Justice of the
Peace in
and for the
County and State aforesaid duly Commissioned and Sworn; and that all his
official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that
the a
foresaid County Court is a Court of
Record having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office
At Ashland, this
14 day of September A.D. 1869.
E.T.
Drayton Clerk
County
Court
Adjutant
General’s Office,
Washington,
D. C.
October
29th, 1869
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt form your Office of application for Pension No. 177.542, and to
return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the fiels of this
Office.
It appears from the Rolls on file in
this Office, that Dow Crist wasenrolled on the 22nd day of August,
1864, at Sandusky O. in Co. “B”,
128th Regeiment of Ohio Volunteers, to serve _3_ years, or during
the war, and mustered into service as a Private_from the _22nd_ day of _August_
1864, at __Sandusky O._, in Co. “B”_, 128th_ Regiment
of _Ohio_ Volunteers, to serve _3_ years, or during the war. On the Muster out Roll of Co. _”B”_of
that Regiment dated July 13th_ 1865, he is reported Dow Christ
Mustered out with the company. No
evidence of death on file. Not listed as
L. or Lorenzo Dow Crist on any rolls of comp.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
______Sam
Breck___
Assistant
Adjutant General.
The
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
cpt
22209
29
This is a hand written document.
The
State of Ohio
Richland County,ss
On
this 6th day of January 1870 personally came Joseph B. Holmes of Mansfield, Ohio who being sworn says that he
was Capt. of Co. M 2nd Ohio Cav. Vol. and well knew Dow Crist, who it appears was a Son of Ann M. Crist. The applicant for pension, and who was a Private in said Co. &
Regt. Said Dow Crist was to the best of affiants knowledge and belief a man of
good health & Sound constitution at the date of his said enlistment &
so continued to the 12th day of Dec. 1864--- when he contracted Small Pox &
was placed in Post Hospital, at Camp
Dennison, Ohio.
He went in charge of
Regimental Sury. to St. Louis Mo. and was there placed in Hospital at Benton Barracks. He also too measles at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas & was placed in
Hospital & affiant thinks he was also in hospital at __lath City, Mo.
He
contracted Small Pox while in line of duty and in the service of the United
States to the personal knowledge of this affiant and was frequently thereafter
wholly unable to discharge the duties of a Soldier by reason of disability from
disease & complications thought to be almost beyond the reach of medical
aid.
Said
Soldier returned with the Regt to Camp
Chase in very poor health & need there discharged. Said affiant cannot at this current date tell
which left the service first affiant or said Soldier.
Affiant
has no interest in the claim of applicant for pension.
J.B.
Holmes
late
Capt. of Co. M
2nd
OVC
Sworn to and subsented on the day and year first
named & certify that the affiant is reputable and entitled to credit &
that I have no interest in the claim of applicant for pension.
Geo.
B. Harmon Clerk of the
Court
of Common Pleas of
Richland
CVO
Sullivan,
Ashland Co., Ohio
August
1871
This is
to certify that L.D. Crist, private
of Co. M 2nd O.V.C. and Dow Crist of
Co. B 128th O.V.I. was one and the same person, and that his mother was not
dependent on him for support.
Cromwell
Marsh:
H.N.
Whitcomb
E.W.
Chamberlain
To
the Hon. I.H. Baker;
Sir,
the object of this communication is to stop the payment of a Pension now
received by the mother of the aforesaid, Dow
Crist, as we believe, unlawfully and fraudulently obtained form the
Government.
Sullivan,
Ashland Co., Ohio
T.D.
Park
E.
C. Brown
C.
P. Merrifield
H.N.
Whitcomb
Whitcomb. Chamberlain
This document is hand written (a)
Ann M. Crist mother of Dow Crist, declares, that she is the
widow of Abner Crist, who died in
the year 1849. Was married to Abner Crist Nov. 26th 1832. That her son Dow Crist left no widow
or minor children, that she was dependent upon said son for support, that said
son always contributed towards her support, that the death of the son in
consequence of disease contracted when in the service of the United States and
in the line of duty, that the total amount of his property in 1860 did not
exceed $500 in value, and that she has not been possessed of a greater amount
since that date. Declaration filed July
8th 1869. Corroborated by competent
testimony. Admitted Jany 19th 1870 to
commence August 8th 1866.
In August, 1871, the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
received a letter, dated at Sullivan, Ashland County, Ohio, August 1871, signed
by Cromwell Marsh and others, in
which they certify, that L. Dow Crist
Company “D” 2nd O.V.C. and Dow Crist
of Company “B” 128yh O.V.C. are one and the same person, and that his mother
was not dependent upon him for support.
They believe the pension was unlawfully and fraudulently obtained.
Suspended
September 23rd 1871.
(b)
On the 18th of October 1871 the undersigned Special
Agent, addressed a letter of enquiry to the Post Master of Sullivan, Ashland
County, Ohio, the same marked “A” is herewith attached and made part of this
report -- as to the dependence of Ann M.
Crist upon her son Dow Crist for
support.
On
the 27th of October 1871, Mr. George
Philpott P.M. Sullivan, O. replied to the letter of the undersigned Special
Agent, addressed to him on the 18th of Oct. 1871. The same marked “B” is herewith attached and
made part of this report -- in which after giving a history of the “Crist family” and making for the
respectability of Mrs. Ann M. Crist,
he gives as his opinion that any communication recieved by the Pension Office,
detrimental to the character, or claims, of Mrs. Crist is the result of Malice, growing out of a faux pas made
by the youngest daughter of Mrs. C.--
in which, a Doct McDonald of Sullivan is sincerely compromised.
That
the matter is now awaiting legal investigation -- that Mrs. Crist has received threatening letters, that unless her
daughter withdraws from the suit, steps would be taken to stop her pension-(Mrs. Crist) Mr. Philpott refers to the
following named gentlemen who will corroborate what he has said. Hamilton
Porter, J.P Rev. Levi Jamesworth,
William Rogers, Ashley Pasmely, R.N. rice, Rufus Gould.
On the 9th of
November 1871, the
(c)
Undersigned Special Agent called on Mr. George Philpott P.M. at Sullivan,
Ohio. Mr Philpott after reciting what he had heretofore stated in his
communication of the 27th ult, further informed the undersigned, that he was
personally cognizant of the fact, that the said Dow Crist, did during his life time contribute towards the
maintenance of his mother; that the said Dow
Crist was a worthy young man and of most excellent habits, -- that before
entering the service of the United States, the said Dow Crist, to his person knowledge, aided his mother in the support
of himself and family to the full extent of his earnings, that during the time
the said Dow Crist was in the service
of the United States, the said Crist sent
money to his mother. This he (Philpott) knows from the fact, that on
several occassions the money was sent to him (Philpott) and he paid some to Mrs.
Crist. That Mrs Crist is now in needy circumstances and has been for many
years.
On the 18th of October 1871 the undersigned Special
Agent, addressed a letter of enquiry to Cromwell
Marsh, Sullivan, Ashland County, Ohio, requesting to be informed what
personal knlwdedge he has as to the non-dependence of
(d)
Mrs. Ann M.
Christ upon
her son Dow Crist for support.
On
the 23rd of Oct. 1871 Cromwell Marsh
replied to the letter of the undersigned addressed to him on the 18th of Oct.
-- the same marked “C” is herewith attached and made part of this report. In which after acknowledging receipt of the
undersigneds communication, Says “before I can do anything about the matter, I
must request a copy of both communications that the Pension Office have in
their possession”
On
the 30th of Oct 1871 the undersigned again wrote to Cromwell Marsh, reiterating the request made in letter of the 18th
Oct, also informing him that all cummunications received by the Pension Office
were considered confidential and that no copies could be given unless by order
of the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions.
On
the 9th of November 1871 the undersigned Special Agent, called on Mr. Cromwell Marsh at his residence in
Sullivan township, Ashland County, Ohio, and enquired of him, what personal
knowledge he had of the non-dependence of Mrs.
Crist on her son “Dow” for
support, he having signed a paper stating such was the case.
Mr. Cromwell Marsh then informed the
undersigned, that his principal object in asking for a copy of th “Paper”
before he answered
(e)
the interrogations contained in letters of the
undersigned under date of the 18th & 30th Oct/71 was because he had signed
not statement that, either directly or indirectly, stated that Mrs. Ann M. Crist was not dependent
upon her son “Dow” for support. That the statement he (Cromwell Marsh) did sign, was, that “L Dow Crist” and “Dow Crist”
were one and the same person, anything further than this was added after he had
signed the paper, and it is a fraud which he repudiates.
Mr. Marsh gives it as his opinion that
is is a conspiracy.
Examination
of the “Paper” in question shows clearly, that the words “and that his Mother
was not dependent on him for support” were not written at the same time the
body of the letter was written, the hand writing being identical, but there is
a decided difference in the shade of ink used.
Letters of the undersigned of Oct 18th marked “1” Oct 30th marked
“2” Letter of Marsh in reply, under date Nov 8th marked “3” are herewith attached
and made part of the report.
On the 18th of Oct 1871 the undersigned Special
Agent addressed a letter of inquiry to the Auditor of Ashland County, Ohio
asking whether Mrs. Ann M Crist’s name was on the tax duplicate
(f)
of Ashland County as a tax payer.
On
the 20th of Oct 1871 the Auditor of Ashland County, O. replies -- letter marked
“D” herewith attached and made part of this report. “There is no property returned for taxation
on the books of this office in the name of Ann
M. Crist.”
On the 28th of October 1871 L.S. Blinn of Sullivan, Ashland County, Ohio, wrote the undersigned
Special Agent, -- letter marked “E” herewith attached and made part of this
report. Mr. Blinn says that Mrs. Ann
M. Crist has been a resident of Ashland County for the past 25 years, that
she is now a very old lady, that she is poor, but an industrious and worthy
woman, - is a member of the Congrational
Church of Sullivan, that the youngest daughter of Mrs. Crist had unfortuately been too intimate with a Doct McDonald of Sullivan, the result
being that the said Doct McDonald at
the instance of Miss. Crist is held
to answer to the law, first on charge of bastardy, and second for trying to
produce an abortion on the person of the young lady in question. That since the denouement, the
(g)
said McDonald
has displayed a very vindictive spirit, which has exhibited itself in various
ways -- by vilifying the character of Mrs.
Ann M. Crist, by threatening to stop her pension, etc.
Mr Blinn is seen that Mrs. Crist can furnish evidence
sufficient to repute any charges that may be brought against her.
On the 9th of November the undersigned Special Agent
called on Hamilton Porter J.P. of
Sullivan, O. and made enquiries of him relating to Mrs. Ann M. Crist. Mr
Porter informed the undersigned, that he is well acquainted with the Crist family and has known them for
many years, That in the death of her
husband, some 22 years ago, Mrs. Ann M.
Crist came to Sullivan to reside, that what little means Mrs. Crist had at that time, has long
since been exhausted in the support of her family, and in the education of her
children, that she has long before the War, and is at this present time
dependent when her daily labor for her daily subsistence, that she is a
respectable and worthy woman in every particular, that during the life time of
her son “Dow”
(h)
the said “Dow”
did to his (Porter’s) personal
knowledge constantly contribute towards the support of his mother to the full
extent of his earnings, that the said Dow
Crist was a dutiful son, and an estimable young man.
On the 9th of November 1871 Mr. E.S. Skinner farmer, of Homer Township Medina County, Ohio
informed the undersigned Special Agent, that he has known Ann M. Crist and her son Dow
for a number of years and has always considered them highly respectabel
people, that he has always understood that Dow
Crist contributed of his means towards his mothers support -- that he
always looked upon “Dow” as an
honest upright boy, he knows that Mrs.
Crist is now, and has been for many
years in needy circumstances.
On the 9th of November 1871 Mr. Wm. Rogers farmer, of Sullivan township, Ashland County, Ohio,
informed the undersigned Special Agent that he has known Mrs. Ann M. Crist and family for the past 21 years, that
(I)
Mrs Crist is now, and has been for
many years in dependent circumstances, that the said Mrs. Crist is an honest, worthy worman, that to his person
knowledge her son “Dow” did during
his life time contribute to the full extent of his means towards his mothers
support.
On the 9th of November 1871 Mr. S.P. Crosier of Sullivan, Ashland County, Ohio, informed the
undersigned Special Agent, that he is acquainted with Ann M. Crist and family -- that
her son “Dow” was a good boy
and always helped his mother to the extent of his means.
On the 9th of November 1871 Hosea Ballon farmer, of Sullivan township, Ashland County, Ohio,
informed the usdersigned Special Agent, that he has known Ann M. Crist and family for the past 10 or 12 years.
That Mrs. Crist is in indigent
circumstances, ans has been since his knowledge of her, that he always supposed
that Dow Crist during his life time
contributed
(j)
towards his mothers support, as all the surroundings
seemed to indicate that he did -- Dow
Crist was a good reputable boy.
On the 9th of November 1871 Mr. M.E. Gould of Sullivan, O, informed the undersigned Special
Agent, that he has been acquainted with the Crist family for a number of years -- known that they are very
poor, also knows from personal knowledge that Dow Crist during his life time, aided his mother in the support of
the family.
The foregoing testimony has been given by some of
the oldest and most esteemed citizen of Sullivan townwhip, Ashland Count, Ohio,
their title to the highest respectabiliy and credibility is beyond question.
General enquiry more fully developes what is
indicated in a portion of the foregoing evidence, a young worman, daughter of
the pensioner, was living in the family of a physician, while under his roof
she got in a situation that ruined her in reputation, and culminated in an ante
nuptialchild.
(k)
Against the physician in question she has preferred
charges, and has appealed to the law for redress. The said physician by himself and through his
friends are endeavering by all means, reputable and disreputable to stay
proceedings. The undersigned Special
Agent was shown (by the P.M. in whose hands it was placed to see if he could
identify the writing) and anonymous communication addressed to Mrs. Ann M. Crist in which the writer
threatens to stop her pension unless she (Mrs.
Crist) causes her daughter to withdraw the suits against Doct McDonald.
In
summary upon the evidence, it appears form the testimony of respectable, and
credible persons, that Mrs Ann M. Crist
is a worthy woman, and is now, and has been for many years in a necessitous
condition, that her son Dow Crist
was a young man of good character, a dutiful son, and did while alive and in
health, contribute towards the maintenance of his Mother and her family. It also appears that Cromwell Marsh, who signed the letter, addressed to the Hon.
Commissioner of Pensions, which letter was the ground on which the pension of Mrs. Crist was
(l)
suspended, disclaims all knowledge of that portion
of said letter which says “Mrs Ann M.
Crist is not dependent on her son Dow
for support” It would also seem, that
the unfortunate postion of Mrs. Crist’s
daughter, has been taken advantage of by designing persons, and that Mrs. Crist is being made the victim of
a conpiracy, in order to force her to comply with the requirements of those who
have, through her daughter, stabbed her fair fame. From the evidence offered, it seems clear and
conclusive to my mind, that Mrs. Ann M.
Crist should at once be reinstated in the pension rolls. I also hold the opinion that if it can be
substantiated, that the letter addressed to the Hon. Commisioner, on which was
based the suspension of Mrs. Crist,
was altered after receiving the signatures and without the knowledge or consent
of the parties signing, the person so making the alteration should be brought
to condign punishment.
I
am Very Respectfully
your
obt Servant
J.H.M.
Cohn
Special
Agent
Columbus,
Ohio
November
11th 1871
Hon.
J.H. Baker
Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sir
I
have the honor to report in the case of Ann
M. Crist Mother of Dow Crist, Certificate No 139135, Cleveland
Agency, Post office address, Sullivan, Ashland County, Ohio.
Record show, that L. Dow Crist enlisted on the 25th August 1861 at Cleveland Ohio in
Company “D” 2nd O.V.Cav. Discharged at
Camp Chase, Ohio for disability Feby 16th 1863, discharge states that Soldier
suffered severly from Small pox in Dec & Jany 1861 & 1862, and before
he recovered, was attacked with Measels, form which disease, and much exposure,
he became enfeebled and broken down.
Seemed impossible to recover while exposed to hardships of camp
life. Dow Crist enlisted at Sandusky Ohio on the 22nd of September, 1864,
in Company “B” 128 O.V.I, was mustered out with Company July 13th 1865, died at
Sullivan Ashland County, Ohio, August 8th 1866.
“1”
Department of the Interior
PENSION OFFICE,
OFFICIAL BUSSINESS
Cromwell
Marsh Columbus, O.
Sullivan Oct. 18th 1871
Ashland Co., O.
Sir,
Your
letter to the Pension Office under date of August 1871 in which yoiu state that
Ann M. Crist Mother of Dow Crist deceased, was not dependent
upon him for support has been referred to me to investigation. You will please furnish me with any
information that will establish the fact as alleged in you communication. Also inform me what amount of Property she
possess and what are her means for obtaining a livelihood. I wrote that your former communication was
also signed by H.N. Whitcomb, E.W. Chamberlin, T.D. Park, E.C. Brown & C.P.
Menifield any or all of these gentlemen may be able to furnish information that
will throw light on the subject, be kind enough to call their attention to the
fact, and address me on the subject at Columbus Ohio
Please
reply at an early date and return this letter with your answer.
I
am Respectfully Yours
J.H.
McColm
Special
Agent
Pension
Office
“2”
S.S.D. Department
of the Interior,
PENSION OFFICE.
OFFICIAL
BUSINESS.
Commissioner.
Cromwill Marsh Columbus,
Ohio
Polk Ashland Co. ,O Oct 30th 1871
Sir,
Yours
of the 23rd inst in reply to mine of the 18th inst requesting you to furnish me
such information as you possessed, as to the non-dependence of Ann M. Crist whom upon her son Dow Crist for support has been
received. You say that before you can do
anything about the matter, you must request me to furnish you copies of both
your former communications, the letters in question are filed with the original
papers of the case at the Pension office in Washington D.C. certified copies of same can only be obtained
by permission of the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, all Papers once in the
possession of the Pension Office are treated strictly confidential and no one
has access to them except the proper officer.
The
tenor of the letters referred to are that Ann
M. Crist was not dependent when her son Dow Crist for support. Any
information that you may give to corraborate the statement made will be
confidential, and so treated by the Pension Office. Referring to my letter of the 18th Oct with
the request that you will answer the enquiries contained therein and relpy at
an eartly date addressing me at Columbia, Ohio.
I am
Very
Respectfully
J
& McCohn
Special
Agent
address U.S.
Pension Office.
Columbus,
O.
You will please return this and former
communication with your answer, as it is desirable to file all letters with the
case.
“3”
JH
McColm Polk,
Ashland Co., Ohio
Special
Agent Nov.
8, 1871
U.S.
Pension Office
Sir,
Yours
of the 20 ult in reply to mine of the 23rd ult requesting you to furnish me
with copies of the two letters spoken of in yours of 18th ult is at hand. I did not quite comprehend the manner in
which such communications are treated at the U.S. Pension Office. But I think you will pardon me for the act
when I tell you that I never saw, read, or signed the letter in question and
did not know it has an existence until I had it from you. Therefore I do not consider myself the proper
person to answer you questions or furnish evidence to substantiate, the case
stated in you letter.
I did
sign a certificate certifying that LD
Crist of 2nd B Cav and Dow Crist of 128 O Infty was the same
person. Farther then that I have not
been nor been asked to go.
I
am very Respectfuly
Cromwell Marsh
According to request you communications are
respectfuly returned.
“A”
Department of the Interior
PENSION OFFICE
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Post Master Columbus,
Ohio Oct 18th 1871
Sullivan
Ashland
Co. Ohio
Sir
As an
officier of the government will you be kind enough to furnish me with such
information as you may be able to obtain as to the financial condition of Ann M. Crist as resident of
Sullivan. Mrs Crist is drawing a pension from the government on account of
the death of her son who died from disease contracted in the service of the
US. The pension being granted on the
ground of her dependence on; the
deaceased son for her support. The
Pension office having intimation that such was not the case, the subject has
been referred to me for investigation.
Please
give any information that will throw light on the matter and address the
undersigned at Columbus Ohio -- return this letter with your communication.
I
am very
Respectfully
Yours
J.
H. McColm
Special
Agent
Pension
Office
“B”
Sullivan,
Ashland,
Ohio Oct 27/71
J.H.
McColm, Esq.
Dear Sir
Yours
in regard to the widow Ann M. Crist
was duly received which togather with my answer and investigation is
respectively returned.
Said A.M. Crist togather with her husband Abner Crist were Old Settlers residing
six miles west oof here in Ruggles township nearly forty years back, well known
to me and all of our Old residents:
About twenty nine years back Mr.
Crist died leaving Mrs. Crist
with four young children, named, Theron,
Mary, Dow, & Rebecca, with but very little for their support. About three weeks after his death a fifth was
added to the family by the birth of a Daughter, which was named Emma.
In a few months after: the widow with her family came into our township
to live and she has been here ever since with the little property she had
togather with her own labor and her childrens she has without assistance from
the town, Except what was given to her
during her son “Dow” being away in
the Army, brought up family at the time Dow Enlisted. what She could earn by weaving and working
out togather with what he could earn for he was living with her then was the
only support for them two and the Daughter Emma, after her son’s discharge on
account of his disability contracted while in the service he lived with his
mother and was unable to do anything up to his death: Hence the Pension was obtained for her: there was some discrepancy in regard to
getting the pension, which I am informed was fully explained at the time. it was this Dow Crist from his youth had been called by some Lorenzo Dow or L. Dow Crist after some Old Person named Lorenzo Dow: and when he enlisted he
gave his name as L. Dow Crist, and
the mother in her claim gave the name as it really was Dow Crist: that is all
that I can learn: The other son Theron is now living in Iowa, there were but two sons. Dow
was brought up in our midst, among us, went from here into the army, came back
very ill and died here at his mothers.
She is a good respectable but very poor old lady with no property
whatever. the little tenament she and
her daughter live in.
She
lives by the month and her pension is her only support: These things, can be verified by refering to
any of our Old residents, and there is but one thing that I can think of or
learn for any such complaint to be made, and of which I will state to you
because I am personly togather with many others here interested in this. It is the daughter Emma above spoken of and who is now living with her mother has been
imprudent and unfortunate. the result of
which is that last April she affiliated her child on one Doc. J.E. McDonald a married man in this place and was also charged
with endeavoring to procure an abortion on her.
for the latter he is indited and both cases are for trial this
fall: and many efforts have been and are
still making to induce the Old Lady to stop the prosecutions, but she has
nothing whatever, to do with it nor cares She have: My reason to think it is to because I know
they have done all they could by threatening Letters and other things to induce Mrs. Crist and her Daughter not to
appear as witnesses in the suit, and in one letter which I have in my posession
She is distinctly told that if she does so appear she will certainly loose her
pension. I should very much like to see
a copy of the complaint. Should you wish
for any other information, so far as I am able I shall happy to give it. Or as I am somewhat interested in the suit at
law, I will give you the names of some of
our best citizens for reference:
I
am most Respectfully yours Thom.
N. Porter J.P.
Geo.
Philpott for
the past 20 years
P.M. Rev.
Levi Jamesworth
Sullivan Willm
Rogers
Ashley
Parmely
R.N.
Rice
Rufus
Gould
“C”
Polk
Ohio, Oct 23rd/71
J.H.
McColm
Special
Agent
Pension
Office,
Columbus
Ohio
Sir
Your letter of Oct 18th requesting me
to give information in regard to the dependency of Ann M. Crist upon Dow Crist
disceased for support has been received.
But before I can co anything about the matter I must request you to
seend me a copy both communications that
you have in your possession.
Yours
Very Respectfully
Cromwell
Marsh
Polk
Ohio
Ashland
Co. address
“E”
Sullivan
Ashland Co.
Oct
28th 1871
J.
H. McColm, Esq
Honored
Sir,
Mr
Geo Philpot, our Post Master of this place has today shown me a letter written
by you to him inquiring into the financial necerssities or ability of Mrs Ann
Crist of this place & C. That letter
of course Mr. Philpot will answer and under ordinary circumstances would pass
unnoticed by me. But the very extraordinary
means resorted to by some two or three individuals in this place to totaly ruin
a mother & daughter has culminated in trying to rob this old and widowed
mother (Mrs. Ann Crist). if his
*********************************
Last and only means of support - a pension which she
got from the government of ninty six dollars a year. This I trust will be a sufficient apology for
what would under ordinary circumstances or might be interesting for a stranger
like myself to address you and ask a hearing at least in this injured old Ladys
behalf pecuniary gain to myself or any selfish end - but in behalf of our
common humanity for a poor old & widowed Lady that has passed her three
score & ten years and has gave up
her young son to the “war the the union” who spent some three years in the
service & was honorably discharged, came home sick to linger some weeks or
months and die with his mother.
********************************
and
leaving her with a younger sister of his, well nigh pennyless in the
world. In order that you may fully or I
might say more properly get a little idea of the business of a heart, that
could, ever conceive of an idea so false and devilish to seek to distroy this
old Lady’s support and help from the government. I will State a few of what I know to be
facts. and I hope with what you may have at hand, you will be satisfied of the
truth of what I allege. This old Lady
has lived in this county nearly 25 years if not longer. her son (who is dead & the youngest
daughter, who is now living with her was borin this county.) her husband died some 20 years ago in this
county. This old lady has lived in this
township some 20 years
***********************************************
and has during the most if not the whole of that
time and is now a member of the Congregational Church of this place. The old Lady has always been called an
industrious kind and worthy woman by all until last May when her daughter gave
birth to an illegimate son. This the
daughter charged upon a M.D. of this place, by the name of McDonald. This M.D. was arrested upon the charge of
Bastardy & was also indicted by the Grand Jury for trying to produce
abortion upon this said girl. Since that
time this said M.D. and some two or three otheers, that he has enlisted to assist
him have been doing all that the blackest spirits this side the infernal
regions could devise. She lives upon
Main Street some two or three doors north of the post office. Yet within a week after this Dr. was charded
with
**********************************
being
the father of the child her house was stoned & egged they wrote anonymous
letters three times to tear down the house.
They did not leave town. Some
weeks ago she received a anonymous letters saying if she did not agree to not
appear as a witness in the prosecution, and agree also that her daughter should
not appear as a witness against that said M.D. they would stop her
pension. I have heard also of one of these Judases who did
get up a statement of some kind & send the pension department. Now I suppose I have come to that part which
has called out. This inquiry of you of
our Post Master. I cannot concern what
the charge is. it has been done
slyly. no one here except the Dr. and
those he has got to assit him know anything about it.\
the
old lady don’t know that anything has been done. I would not have even thought of it. if it were
*********************************
not
for the anonymous letter threatning to stop her pension and these her counsel
told her to not notice - as it was only done to scare her and get her off as a
witness in the matter stated. No I have
stated the main points of this matter.
And if there has been any fraud committed upon the government it can be
told this woman- her faimly and circumstances are well known to almost everyone
in this section. The son was born &
brought up by her, enlisted here & came home from the army sick &
died here & was buried here. he lived & worked with and for her until
he enlisted Sent her money while in the
service and she had no means of supporrt except what little she could do with
her hands & she was entitled to a
pension if ever any mother was. She gave
her dear son & all her hope and
************************************
dependence.
She had not means enough in the world to buy her a cow and her neighbors
raised means to buy her one. Now I defy
them, or any one (and as I said the evidence if any where is right here) for he
lived here Except the time he was in the Service until he died. To find one
thing materially different from what I have stated. if you or the department
will give us a chance and furnish us with any one thing that is alleged
contrary to what I have written or may have bee furnished the department &
upon which the Pension was granted we will gladly funish you with all the
evidence you may want.
This
matter is important to the old lady it is all she has to depend upon her
youngest child has a babe in her arms two of her other children dead daughter
and only remaining son out west and now
********************************
if by any Black mailing these Brutes (I will call
them for no man could be black enough to conceive such an idea) should lead the
department to stop the Old Lady’s pension it would take her whole living. It is for these reasons I have written. I am firm in the belief that Justice will
overtake this man-- not satisfied with ruining the daughter her now seeks to
black mail and ruin her poor old mother.
As one of the offices of our common country I would ask you as a friend
of soldiers & their old &
widowed mothers to furnish either myself or Mr. Philpott the Post Master, with
whatever charges may have been made to the department - together with the mens
names that may have signed it - and we will furnish you with all the evidence
you wish of its falsity - & with your permission see that these men are
fully exposed in the Public prints.
I am
aware that you may think I have trespassed upon your time in writing to much,
but this matter is costing a poor old lady many tears and more they are trying
to dupe & decieve the government to gratify their revenge & I know of
no other way to get the facts but to tell you all as I have done & ask your
assistance. The Post Master knows
Nothing about my writing but I shall see him & tomorrow before I mail this
& advise him of the facts I have written.
Your
VC
L.
S. Blinn
Sullivan,
Ohio
********show
the breaks in the letter that was originally written
(Pensioner Dropped)
U. S. Pension Agency,
Columbus, Ohio
May 16, 1888
Hon._John C. Black
Commissioner
of Pensions
Sir,
I
hereby report that the name of Ann M.
Crist , who was a pensioner on the rolls of this Agency, under
Certificate No. 139,135 , and who was last
paid at $12 ,
to March 4, 1888, has bee dropped because of information that pensioner died May 13, 1888.
Very
Respectfully,
F.
H. Minyn
Pension
Agent
(Not sure about the Spelling on
signature of pension agent.)
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