Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-16
THE STOKES CASE.
The Tinker Dave Beatty Bounty
Frauds.
Stronger Turns States Evidence
Some Rich Developments.
Racy Letters from Col. Stokes.

The jury in the case Of Col. W. B. Stokes
for prosecuting claims while a member of
Congress having failed to agree, the second
trial under the same indictment was begun
in the Criminal Court at Washington on
the 18th inst. 1t appears that Stronger,
one of Stokes confederates, turned States
evidence and produced a number Of the
most damaging letters from Stokes. The
first document submitted was the following;
MEMORANDUM.
To Capt. Beatty and Members OF his Company:
As we understand that there is a great
deal of dissatisfaction among the members
of the company i'll regard to the amounts
paid to them on their claims, We will state,
First, That if the money that was kept
out of each claim had not been used as it
was, to pay parties in Washington to put
the thing through the departments, the
whole claim wOnld have been blocked and
stopped; in other words, the men on the
roll could not have got a cent without the
payment Of the money that has been paid
cut.
2. We further state that unless the mem
bers of the company use their best endeav-
ors to keep the whole thing moving along
smoothly, at home that not dollar of what
can still be got for them will Re paid by the
Departments.
3. We further state that, owing to the
members Of the company not serving for the
time that they were paid for, and made ap-
plicatiOn for, that they have made them
selves liable to the Governu tent for prosecu-
ton in case the Departmer It's are informed
that the men did not serV the whole time
hey were paid for.
T. We say that if the men at home will
assist us in keeping tho Departments from
knowing that the men are not entitled to
what they are getting we will get for them
whatever amount there is to be collected
yet, and we think that it will amount to at
least as much as they have been paid by the
agents.
>. The whole Inability rests upon the par
ties that made the ffidavits; IN other words,
first upon the Office.s who swOre to the
rolls, and next upon the men for swearing
that they done service, which was never
performed. q. VICTOR POWELL,
w. b. STOKES.
Then the follow ing letter was read:
UNDER HEADwAY.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. I, 1870
Capt. Z. Hatfield--Dear Sir: This will in
form you that real he'd here safe and sound.
Found StrOmeyer mere, but tie company
not yet mustered. Have got She case now
under Roadway, an d think in a few days
will get e through.
There is no earthly use in you or Tinker
coming on here, as you could do no good,
but expense for nothing.
Will keep you advised Of all that is dome.
You need have no fears.
W. B. Stokes.
Michael SiTOmeyer. | saw this paper be-
fore, and got it from Gen. Stokes; he q We
me this as was going home; met Sto, res
FIRST in the spring of 1870 at the Capt. oil;
l came on here with David Beatty, and as
the agent with Hatfield for these claims: l
paid Stokes 5000; he declared himself In
with me for Ono-thiTd; Stokes intToduc ed
the bill; intended to stay home myself;
bad q conversation with Stokes conf ng
over from CrOssville to jamestown; l to Id
him that we would make about S20,000,aI i'd
he said that it would be a nice thing; lle
said he would be in with me; proposed 20
pay him $1,000; l gave him a check for
81, 200, and then stopped il; Mr.. Bowma n
thought it was best to give him-S2, 800 NOR, !;
Stokes said that he was entitled to it, and [
gave him the money. (Letter shown wit
ness.) That is the handwriting Of Gen.
Stokes.
SECOND LETTER OF STOKES.
Sl3 SIXTH STREET, WASHINGTON, D.
c., December 8, 1o7O-Capt. David Beatty
and Eh-Gentlemen: Our friend Mike will
hand you this. lie IedUeS here Tomorrow
morning Nth tie rolls to hare them s1rorn.
to by the Captain ands the two lieutenants.
This is required to be done blythe Secretary
of War. Then he will approve and send
them to the Second Auditor, and all will be
right. Stronger must return at once,
with the rolls. There is no need Of either
Of you coming on here; we cana make all
things right. So you need have no fears;
all will be O. K. (Old Flint is on HANDY
As ever, your friend, w. B. STOKES.
ANOTHER LETTER-THE PLOT THICKENS.
Witness-I have seen that before, too.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 20, 1870
Capt. E. Hatfield-My Dear Sir: This
leaves me much improved in health since l
saw you.
As to the claim Of Beatty and his men, it