National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-21
BoRe1re PENSION PAPERS.
ONE OF THE PARTIES ARRESTED IN
U1RGTNTA


VIRGINIA.
Il is hardly possible to imagine dishonesty In a
worse shape than when perpetrated on the
widows and orphans Of those brave men whoWent
forth in the late strife to battle for their country,
and offered up their lives on the altar OF freedom,
OF upon those MANNED soldiers and sailors who
carry to-day an empty sleeve or pantaioon leg
that testifes to their patriotic sacrifices. But As
improbable as it may SEEM still It is nevertheless
true that these heroes and the families Of those
departed have been the vietims Of > series Of
frauds, and consequently serious sufferers there
BY. For some time past It has been apparent 70
the pension bureau that frauds we're being prac-
~ hsiS
by means Of putting IN false vouchers, with an
dayits before notaries accompanying them. which
also were false.
The business had progressed 50 fast and IN
creased so much that the ofhcers Of the burear
were not only annoyed a. the failure TO detect the
EroWth Of the nefarious business. Several a.
tempts had been made 70 ferret out, detect eud
convict the parties, but all TO no good result.
They appeared we'll posted, and were working
win such signal success IS TO almost defy appre-
hension. Sun persevering in the effort to discover
and secure the forgers, those engaged in the task
labors were rewarded by Q palpable case coming
70 light In Philadelphia last week. That no time
should be lost In pursuing the trail to successful
issue, the serviceaof those untiring and energetic
detectives, Sargent and McElfresh, were secured
BY the Pension Bureau, and all the information
IN the possession Of the bureau furnished them,
with request 70 use all possible dispatch In
working the case to solution and bring the
a flying Visit was made to the City Of Bro.herly
Love, where, while attending TO this and other
business, they secured sufficient Information to
satisfy themselves IS to who was the guilty
party In this particular case. II was also ascer-
tained that in June last, Immediately after OBJ
tanning the money on the fraudulent vouchers
for claim, they departed from the city and
since that time their whereabouts had been IN
known. Contented, for the time being, with the
discovery they had made the detectives returned
here determined to md the hiding place Of the
party that committed the forgery. In this UNDER
taking they we're ably assisted by Mr.. Lauston,
chief special agent Of the Pension bureau, gen.
tleman well posted in his duties and competent
in every way to I'LL the position he occupies.
After q careful search they became satisfied Of
the locality Of one Of the party and yesterday
proceeded in search Of him. A long ride over q
rough Virginia road found them several miles
beyond Falls Church, and here, on q farm belong
ing 70 q man named FitI, working as neld
hand. they captured James Dunavan, one OF the
principals charged with forging pension papers.
He appeared somewhat confused 1t the ap-
proach Of the detectives, and when informed that
he was the person wanted, he inquired imme-
diately If it was anything 10 connection with the
Philadelphia matter. On being informed that
freely and told more probably than will result TO
his beneft. He stated that he left Philadelphia
Immediately after drawing the pension money, a.
he feared the forgery would be detected, and Il
would be unsafe 70 remain In the city. Although
not farmer, he concluded that the more quiet he
kept the less danger there would be Of his dis
coYery, and for that reason he selected the coun-
try for hiding place. He is about thirty year,
Of age, has keen, bright eye, and Is q shreWd
looking fellow. He was brought to police head
quarters yesterday, kept over night, and this
Detectives MeElfresh and SARGENT. where the
trial will take place.