Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-03-15
a VISIT To REkKNAP.
The Appearance Of the man NOVA.
days.
irinnes specially

trinnes specially
Mrs. Belknap is by no means
abashcd by the situation. A visitor
yesterday found her lying on blue
satin sofa, dressed in an exquisite
morning robe of crimson silk. covered
with the richest laccs. She alluded
unreservedly TO the trouble, and de-
clarcd that her husband was bearing
up under the prosecution manfnlly.
She complained bitterly that some OF
the Washington people, who owed
her husband everything, had seen fiji
Ia stand aloofnoW that seeming adyer-
sity had come, but she kept up good
cheer. she said, because all would BIZ
bright in the end. q
Last evening an officer in the army
who had heretofore private business
relations with the late secretary OF
war that were not adjusted, called
upon Mr.. Belknap. He gives very
graphic description of his visit. Ht
says: Il never underwent MORE
PAINFUL SCENE. When / reached
Belknap's house on & street, l was
profoundly struck with the change il
the situation. by the presence Of The
uniformed police pacing solemnly il
front of the house.
/ Upon entering / thought the police
business rather overdone, for during
my short visit counted not less thar
five stalwart peelers securely planted
at various doors of egress. They al
had. the appearance of an intense dc
termination to fulfill their duty OF
| nrnynptino apr ANNA ro =, IN IF oononn
which must have had very depress
ing effect upon the inmates of the
house. / sent up my card to the sec.
rotary and waiting his coming with
an intense nervousness that fOreshad.
owed the necessary EMBARRASSMENT
OF OUR MEETING. At our last meet
ing he was i'm an excellent condition
of bodily health and mental satisfac.
ton with himself. lie was in his lit
tie office in the war department., ant
when went to him he gave me two
fingers and how-howed me in the
most approved style. In reply to my
card a subdued-looking domestic
came to me and told me that Mr.. Bel.
KNAPP would see me in the rear par
lor. The manner of the servant was
as lugubrions as I'm undertaken when
he says, "You will now take last
look at the deceased"
| i had TO wait but q moment.
| heard a TALTERING STEP upon tht
stairs. an uncertain tread in the hall
and then the door opened slowly rs
the cx-secretary entered. Ny God
| Words fail to express how this man
has aged and suffered during the last
few days. His flowing silky beard
was knotted and tangled. his eyes
and his snnken cheeks made up q
! picture OF woe and despair that
would have touched q heart of stone
! was so moved that | sprang for.
ward with a word of comfort. Re-
gardless of truth, l said: "Mr. Bel.
KNAPP. believe you TO be an honest
man." Belknap at This caught me by
the hand and BURST INTO TEARS. He
was completely unnamed He
choked and sobbed several moments
when he managed to stammcr ont 81
| am going to prove il TO the people OF
this country that am an honest man
| before this business is over" Tho
officer concludes his story by saying
that Belknap said repeatedly that he
had Il much better defence than peo-
pie supposed. Ile has, by the advice
of counsel, kept il back until sum-
moned for trial. Then he claims that
he will be able 10 MAKE A SHOWING
that will create n change in popular
opinion in his favor. lie was espec-
tally indignant at the presence of the
policemen in his house. lie disclaimed
any intention of running away, and
passionatcly exclaimed that his for.
mer friends were trying to urge him
TO desperation by the constant heap.
ing up of indignitics upon him.