Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-05-28
correspondence of The Boston Journal
The Pension Frauds.
BELLOWS FALLS, May 81.

they have occurred. The case, from its
magnitude, has excited great interest in
all northern Vermont, and / may say
throughout the land. The mass of evi.
dence that the government officers have
in their hands is truly surprising. The
indictments in the cases that have been
disposed of, contain from twenty to sixty
counts.
But to my story. With but one ex-
ception, and that one too culpable, the
charges preferred by the U. S. Attorney
II. +. Sloughton, against the accused for
transmitting false papers (knowing them
10 be such,) in support of claims for
bounty lands for services alleged to have
been performed at the invasion of Platts-
burg in September 1914, are fully sus-
t,,iasd by evidence.
r. ID. Waters's case was first present
cd, and it is indeed remarkable. The
boldness Of his forgeres has seldom been
equaled. Rolls of whole companies have
been brought into existence by his ready
pen, and so convincing were their appar-
eut antiquity that the most accomplished
expert could hardly designate them from
the genuine records of service. 1t is
highly creditaJle to the Committee on
Pensions that these forgeries were de-
tected at so early a day. Waters is up
wards Of 20 years Of age, and his
previous life is 4 strange enigma. He is
said to be a relative of Stephen Bor-
rough', whose crimes are yet fresh in the
public mind. He has been sent to Jail
for trial at the next United States Cir
cult Court.
The case of Moses Wallace has also
been disposed Of and he was admitted to
bal! in the sum of $1,000. There was
not much of interest in this examination.
The charges were for transmitting false
papers to the the department.
Next we come to Mr. j. c. Boswell
who has been most ably defended by Mr..
;. b. Colby of Montpelier. But the
government was too strong for him. He
Is man Of property, has quite a family
resides in Barton, VT, and heretofore has
sustained a good character. He has, in
his official position as County Land Agent,
been able TO progress very successfully
an his frauds. And it is fortunate for
the government that the prosecution is in
able hands. The United States Attor-
ney has, by the strongest evidence and
the most elaborate arguments, brought
home TO the Commissioner the import
ance Of holding the accused for trial.
Buswell has forwarded upwards of four
hundred claims 10 the Department.
Next on the list was Ebenezer Bick-
ford, brother-in-law to Boswell. He is
now before the court, and from what has
already appeared, think it would seem
that he was an active partner with his
brother
The 9th section Of the act of March
., 1865, gives lands to those who seryed
as volunteers at the invasion of Platts-
burg. The 18th section Of the act
amendatory to this, approved March IA,
1896, admits parole evidence to prove
service, where 10 record exists, and by
reason Of this amendment, the gates are
open TO a fraud which, from its nature. il
Is almost impossible TO detect, and an av-
aianche OF papers has poured in upon
the pension agent, both true and false. |
will only state that there have been
brought into existence upwards of fifty
companies for whom claims have been
cent to Washington. When it is remem-
bered that there were employed only
some thirty-fve or forty companies at
this invasion, we see the reason of this
investigation
Perhaps there never has been a court
held in this country at which the age of
the witnesses averaged so many years.
Many of these old gentlemen have new
er been so far from home before, and it
is quite amusing TO hear them give their
testimony.
| cannot close this letter without saw
ing that the officers of the government
have given the accused the advantage of
every reasonable doubt, and there has
been no disposition upon the part of the
gentlemen TO do other than their duty
The agent from the department, Mr..
Paige, particularly, has made many
friends by the efficient manner in which
be has discharged his duties.
Truly yours,
BosToN.