Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-03-16

Y,
that one who was 80 universal favorite as Mrs
Belknap was implicated was denouenent which
produced utter CONSERVATION. This lady has been
the object of general admiration since first she
came to Washington, six years ago, to visit hel
sister, the former wife of General Belknap. Her
al powers at once made her central figure In any
asSemblage. She is tai, has well-developed and
rounded form and graceful carriage. Her features
are regular, her complexion clear and fair, while
bright. When first she came to Washington, Mrs
Belknap was the widow Of Mr.. Bowers, who
had died some months before in Cincinnati. He,
family name was Tomlinson, and she was q ma.
tive Of Harrodsburg, KY. Her father, DR.. Tom.
linson, was an eminent physician, and highly
daughters. All of the latter were noted for THEN
beauty, and were reigning bellies of their native
State. The mother Of Mrs Henry Clews, of New
York, was one Of the sisters, and the second and
present wife Of General Belknap another. Mrs
Amanda Tomlinson Bowers was married two
years ago, in December, to the Secretary OF War.
She was heartily welcomed to the cabinet circle
here and has held foremost place among the Ia
dies who are acknowledged queens In society.
She has been especially distinguished for her
week throng the houses Of the members Of the
Cabinet. She always had an appropriate greeting
ready for each conner. She has appeared to the
greatest advantage this winter, and has gone
much into society, rs from her position she was
compelled to do. She displayed great taste in
account is stated to be Sl25,OOO. ........ -
The following is given as the story of Belk-
maps confession as related by the President
"On Thursday I had just finished my break.
FAST" said the President to q correspondent land
was opening some letters in the drawing room,
when Secretary Bristow was announced. It was
only little after o'clock, and wondered why
be saFs a5 h M ~ 80 lin sas int s,1s's ts
referred to in my mail. After time the secre-
tary said, Mr.. President there are some very sad
stories in circulation about one Of your Cabinet.
I told him had not heard anything. The secre-
tary said they were dreadful stories, almost too
and the secretary began to tell me. when in came
Belknap and Chandler. Chandler looked very
sober, and Belknap was changed 80 that you
would hardly have known him. He looked as II
he had not slept for week. got up and shook
hands with him, and asked him what was the
matter. He went on to tell me, in an incoherent
way, about the Congressional investigation, that
it was going to damage him very much, and he
said he had written bis resignation and brought
it with him. Hetook out the letter and read 1t.
1 said to him that would regret very much his
leaving the Cabinet, for I had confidence in him.
At that he burst into tears and took hold OF my
hand. I asked him the nature Of the investiga-
ton, and his manner more than the words OF his
reply showed me that it was something of an un-
usual character. I understood he was expecting
an investigation that he could not avoid by re-
signing that the facts II exposed would not dam
age him 80 much as his wife. He spoke of his
dead wife, too. I told him that he had great
many friends, and they would help him out but
be said It was impossible; that ne had shonldered
that 1t would save me and the rest Of the govern
ment a great deal of trouble if his resignation
was accepted. I tried again to induce him to
wait awhile, but he said he must 60 before the
committee that morning. and wanted to tell them
he was no longer an officer Of the government.
SO wrote him a letter accepting the resignation,
and, after thanking me for that and for what he
called my kindness to him In the past, ne went
away with Chandler. Then Edmunds and Nor
could not believe them, and sent messenger
for Bass, who, understood, was member OF
the investigating committee" ,..a.... .e.a,. =.
The President also said that if he had
known the whole truth, he would not have ac'
cepted the resignation as he did, but would
have suspended Belknap until the investiga.
ton was over. ..3
Regarding the probability of procuring an
indictment against Belknap by the grand ju.
ry, Washington dispatch of last Saturday
says: I....
District-Attorney Welles had an interview
with the Attorney. General last night, in which
he recounted the difficulties in the way of
procuring an indictment against Belknap.
Gov. Welles said he had seen all the members
of the committee and cannot obtain from
them any testimony. Marsh, having fled, can
not be reached, and as the case now stands he
cannot get an indictment. ...
A clearer insight to the present status of
the case may be gained from the following
correspondence of the New York Bulletin, un-
der date of the 7th instant:
The Belknap matter has assumed strange
phase as matter of fact. The committee
has gone forward upon an irregular proceed
ing, and has not the slightest evidence Of any
legal character against him. The Committee
on Expenditures in the War Department
took the testimony of Marsh without power
to administer an oath, and while all the tes-
timony there is undoubtedly true, there is no
testimony competent in court Of justice, or
before the Senate, as the high court of i'm
parchment. Still there are enough things
yet at issue and discovered to convict Mrs.
Belknap of all sorts of peculstions and dis
honest transactions, and it is thought that
General Belknap will fix the guilt wherever
guilt is charged against his wife, and assume
the responsibility to himself The judiciary
Committee merely wants the opportunity to
take competent testimony, and authority to
administer oaths and send for persons and
papers. 1t cannot be doubted that they will
get all the evidence they want,and it is highly
probable that Gen. Belknap will be convicted.
The witness, Marsh, is looked upon here as
consummate scoundrel, and it is shown that
he did not tell the whole truth. 1t is believ-
ed that he Joined with Mrs. Belknsp in de.
ceiving her husband, and that he was the
man who caused the deception from beginning
to the end. There is sympathy here for Bel
KNAPP, and the case is quite distressing from
any point in view. -. ,.......
va Sample of prices at Fort Sill: Six
boxes matches, SO cents pistol, $2S; suspen-
ders, $175; four yards of cambria, 80 cents
a yard broom, IS cents six plates, $2:25;
FIVE gallons coal oil, $40; two bushels of po.
tatoes, $40; water cooler, $l4; two bottles Of
ale, $3.50; bottle soothing syrup, d.25.