The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-12-21
MEISsIRr ANp ELAIR

VI EiSSIRf AND ELAiR-
have heretofore stated that the
cars. Of BlIr's hostility 10 Fremont
rev ou, OF Tie fact isat he could no,
co.t.ol army contracts 10 the extent
.ies.red; bu, il is now certain tnat su
tar MS he did go. he has been as corrupt
"A the worst, and much of the rascaliiy
a,.:iba,eato McKins:ry mus: b, laid os
his shoulders. l will give an instsnce
or two, to show the truth Of what have
affirmed. get the facts from as good
E,ea rs ihc;c are in ST. Louis, who have
them directly from Gen. Mckiasiry
himself.
Charles Elliott. special friend OF
Blair's 60: a beef Contract at eli ght cents
per pound, through Frank's Influence.
.houg! John Dillon offered 10 supply "a
good All article al four AMI Il hail GENTS.
This was early in the contest in Mis-
souri,. Gen Lyon aui Capt. kal.ou re-
fused 10 .egalize The contract because
OF the enormous price Charged. aud the
matter was sen. 10 Washington for se,
tlemeat. Tie price was there cut down
to six aud half cents. and Blair declar-
ed that Elliott had lost $40. coo in the
operation.
James Neil. relative. was recon-
meadeJ TO Mck.nstry. by Blair, as a
proper person TO have a contract io'
iuruishin. five hundred head Of horses s.
because, AS he said, Neil had worked
for him like the devil, and had spen, a
great deal Of money in his behalf. The
next Gay Neil called on Mckinslry foI
the contract.
! McKinstry refused TO let him have il
un;ii he brought written recomme nd
alton from Bialr. stating the terms. & ).
In due inns The recon- neiiiation was
presented aud the coniracl WAS given
the horses TO De furnished at Sll9
per head. Several persons besides Neil
were interested in lhis contract, anon.
whom were United States Attorney
Jones. bowen. Thompson aad kobb.-
Blair frequently asked for contracts.
and nearly always managed to get them
In fact, he demanded them. aud at his
own terms. So much was this SO. tina,
McKinsry says he could hardly be con
sidercd Quariclmaslrr.
One Cay Blair went out with M:kin-
stry AMI Fremont in carriage. 10 Ben
ton Barracks Neil was driver. On the
way, Blair stated ihU he must have
horses for his regiment. and be wanted
The contract for furnishing them. Ere.
mont refused 10 have anything TO do
with the letting Of the contract. Blair
urged that he should have it, and ilai
the terms should be one hundred and
fifty dollars per head. Mckinsry Oh
jec'ed TO the price.
B,air replied .ha! his regiment mus.
have extra equipments, and, besides, he
said his iLfluence was such at Washing.
ton, that che could make IL all right"
The contract was to be given in Neii's
name, and the horses were to be pur.
chased in Kentucky. But McKinstry
doubted Neirs capacity TO transact the
business and refused to lei the contract.
Af,erward Blair came with written
contract in favor Of his cousin, BENZ.
Farrar. Sub Treasurer. and after great
opportunities from Frank, and repeated
assurances that he could make it all
right with the Administration. McK,n-
stry signed the contract. |, authorized
Fsrrar to furnish the Government over
fifteen hundred horses, al one hundred
and fifty dollars per head. l,y his de-
tsctives McKinstry learned that the
same afternoon The couirac: was signed, |
it was soll To Buckmaster g. Co., oil
Alton. Illinois, for fifteen thousand dol.
lars. Frank came in few days after
ward for another order for tvo hundred |
aud fifty horses on the same terms. he
.ot il. and it was Immediately sen: 20 |
Wiles. Arnot. aud other Iiyerym en-, I
md offered for four thousand dollars. 1,
When AleKisssry heard this. he eau
,elled the order. These are specimen
'ric4s oply. -.
THE PAPERS. 4
sMcKinstry 70 doubt {. Il ti.at many Of
l'ese contracts Sere gIaring viliainies,
nd anticipated an Investigation. Ac.