American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-03-11
Whcreupon It Game to Pass that There
Was LsRenta:ion in al the
Streets Of Babyl9n!
Especial telegram to the Chicago Times.l

FIRST TALE OF THE CRIME.
WASHINGTON, March 2-On the
10Th of February, the crime which
has caused the disgrace of w. w
Belknap was told in these dispatch
es: 1t WAS midnight of yesterday
when the last link was set in the
chain which convicted him. The
committee on Expenditures in the
War Department took up the char
ges, and pushed them to Il convic
ton. The committee has attained
its success through the interest
chance; for, although all the facts
were in their possession, it would
have been impossible to prove them
if an accompllce had not been dis
covered. Beiknap's present wife is
n sister of his dead wife. She was
a Mrs. Bowers, whose husband was
one of the firm of Bowers, Marsh &
PrObasco, in Cincinnati. Mrs. Bow
ers' husband died in 1872, and the
Marshes, on going to Europe, in
vited her to go with them. She
passed a gay season abroad, and
came home filed with luxurious
notions of life, and, it is sad,
RATHER UNsCRUPULoUS
AS to tho methods of obtaining her
wishes. She visited Washington,
and presided with her sister, Mrs.
Belknap, at some of the most fash
ionable receptions of the capital.
She was conspicuous for costly
somewhat out of proper
ton to her previous life and visible
surroundings. Presently. Mrs. Bel
KNAPP died, and Mrs Bowers return
ed to her Old friends, the Marshes,
in New York-visiting Washington
occasionally, and reviving the SPLEEN
doris of her sisters receptions, at
the Secretary's home. Little more
han year ago, to the astonish
ment of Washington society, the
married his dead wlfe's
sister, this same Mrs. Bowers. II
was the universal comment, that
he Secretary's salary could not
such magnifieence as the
new wife display ed. Her diamonds
we're the most costly, her laces the
most delicate, and her receptions the
MOST LAVISH IN THE CAPITAL.
Had it not been for this lady, the
would probably never
nave fastened the crime of receiving
>ribes upon the Secretary. She Is
/ daughter of DIR. Tomiinson, of
Harrodsburg, Ky, and in girlhood
vas very well known to Blackburn,
,ne of the members of the investi-
eating committee. a suspicion of
Iarsh's Indian leadership camo to
he committee, and, as their report
larrates, collision was at once
hown. 1t was found that Bel
map, trusting to the power of Office
md the facility of bribery, paid no
attention to tho summons of the
and let the examination
20 on unheeded. The committee
ceiling daily more sure of their
,rOund, because convinced of the
ruth of the charges, every step in
he prosecution was rigidly con-
called, and tho newspaper men
rere excluded from information.
BELKNAP's BREAKDOWN
'efore the committee, which was
My made known long after mid,
light on yesterday, finally broke
he spell. Though the committee
ept itself under lock and key until
he very moment of its report to
he House, carly in the morning the
O'els were agog with the news, in
My the most tragmentary form.
BY noon crowds were surging
round all the news-centers, dis
ussing not only the downfall of
'elknap, but the runors of his sui
ide, which filled the air. 1t was
artlly 8 o'clock, when Belknap
Tall1ed hurriedly down x street to
he War Office. 1t WAS noticed By |
he orderlies at tho door, that the
secretary did not move with his old
lunty swagger. His ruddy face |
ad lost much of its color; his eyes
rere heavy and bloodshot; he look |
Il like the victim of a prolonged |
prce; he spoke abstractedly TO the |
f1icials present, retired to his pri-
ate cabinet, and closed the door.
While the outside group were in
-onder over this unusual conduct, !
le door opened suddenly, aud the
ecretary quilted the Office without
Irther remark, and walked rapidly
Yer to the White House, where
HE MET THE PRESIDENT,
lst as that official WAS entering
he Executive Office, where Babcoch
1T arranging the Presidents mail.
were passed, the Secreta
= avoiding the Presidents eye. As
-en. Grant seated himself, Relknap
aUded him an envelope, which the
resident opened mechanically, pre-
inning it to be an ordinary official
He read it, and
,und it was the resignation Of the
ccretary of War. Heknap
BURST INTO TEARS,
nd tried to explain, but could not
he Pre-ldent, in great agitation
rose and left the room with the
isgraced official. At the foot of
he stairs Chandler appeared, and
lie subject was discussed privately
ntween the three. Presently there
fter, Belknap and Chandler reap
cared and went out for ride to-
ether. An hour after this, Belknap
)peared before the committee with
is counsel, Judge Blair, but pre-
.ntcd no evidence. The ease of