The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-03-09
BELKNAP's RASCALIlX.
What Grant Knew About 1t. She Story of
Cashiercd Army Officer.

Cashiercd Army Officer.
Special to Cincinnati Commercial.
WASHINGTON, March 2,-The first
action looking to all investigation and
conviction OF Belknap was by Captain
George L. Robinson, now residing in
Baltimore, who III. Il pt riod OF six
years was stationed at Fort Sill. Be-
tween this gentleman and Relknap a
very bitter feeling has existed, and
now exists, growing out Of tine fact,
as alleged by Captain Robinson, that
his attempt TO publicly proclaim Bel
knap's guilt had resulted N his Rob-
inson being tried before a military
commission an cashiered. He is a
civil engineer by profession, and is at
present employed by the Columbian
Iron Works at Fell's Point. Last eve
ming representative of the CONNER
ciot called upon Captain Robinson, at
his residence. and the following con-
versation ensued.
Question-When did you assume
your duties a: Fort Sill?
Answer entered upon my duties
as Captain i'll the Tenth United States
Cavalry at Fort Sill in 1868, and re-
manned until 1872, period of six
years. l was instrumental in having
the investigation made, although my
name has not yet appeared in conmec-
ton with the matter.
q. Do you know positively, of your
own personal knowledge,that Belknap
is guilty?
A. l do. l know personally that
Belknap received as bribe the sum
OF fifteen thousand dollars annually
for three years. payable monthly in
advance.
q BY whom was this money paid !?
a. By Mr.. Marsh, of New York,
and j. V. Evans and j. J. Fisher, the
post traders at Fort Sill.
q. Was the post SO remunerative
that they could afford TO pay this large
bribe?
A. 1t was the most valuable i'm the
United States. When the above firm
took possession as post traders they
were heavily in debt, and had a small
stock of goods. When left the Fort
their stock was worth from eighty
to one hundred thousand dollars, and
they were all wealthy and out of debt.
q. What efforts were made to Sc
cure the post?
A. Mr.. Evans was the first to apply,
and procured petition signed by the
officers of the Tenth United States
Cavalry and the Sixth United States
Infantry, stationed at the Fort, ad.
dressed TO. the Secretary of War. ask
ing his appointment as post trader.
Mr.. Be,knap read this petition and told
Mr.. Evans that he would as soon have
a petition of SO many wagon-masters
as the officers of that post. He then
told Mr.. Evans that he had alrcad v
appointed as post trader for Fort Sill
Mr.. Marsh, OF New York. lie added
that he thought Marsh did not wish to
go out to the Indian Territory. and
told Evans that If he went to New
York he could see him Marsh there,
and might make an arrangement with
him. Mr.. Evans went to New York
and found Marsh he also found inter-
ested in the matter the firm Of Durflee
4 Co., and Dent & Co. Mr. Dent is a
brother-in-law of President Grant
and others.
Q. How was the post disposed of
finally?
A. Mr.. Marsh put the post trader
ship up at auction, and it was bid of
to Evaus Il Co., the terms being that
Belknap was to be paid $4,000 year
for three years, and $l2,O per year
afterwards.
q. How was the business conduct
edI
A. The business was conducted i'm
the name of j. s. Evans Il Co. the
firm paid the bribe TO Marsh, by whom
it was turned over to Belknap, or as
they say now. to Mrs. Delknap: it
makes no difference, it went in the
family.
q Being familiar with these par
iiculars, did you make any effort to
have them investigated?
y More than a year ago | visited
and made charges against
Be! e!knap, employing as counsel John
J. hey, OF that ciiv, and subsequently
General 1in&le, also Of Washington,
which latter was largely instrumental
IN bringing the matter To an issue.
These charges were presented to the
Military Committee
@. What was the result?
"A. The result was that l was CASH
ered.
@ Did President Grant know Of
hese charges against BeIknap2
A. President Grant has known of
hese charges for years; he knew as
nnch nearly two years ago I'd he
Knows 10 day.
q. When did you make an effort to
'emew the charges?
A. Some two months ago. re-
iewed the charges, employing the
anne counsel. | was backed by all the
officers OF The Fort, aud furnished a
list OF witnesses for the committee,
md aided IA far as possible in collect. |
ng the evidence by which he was con /
7icted.
@. What list of witnesses did you
,iYe the committee?
a. | gave them the name of Drev-t |
Major General Il. III. Grierson, of the
Tenth U. 5. Cavalry, and of every Of
icer Of that regiment also, Of General |
". Il. llaZen, commanding the Sixth
Infantry, and all the officers OF that
egiment. Both of these commands
we're stationed at Fort Sill, and the
fficers were fully acquainted with the
rauds he practiced.
9. Did you submit any doeumenta-
v evidence?
A. transmitted all the correspond
nee had had on the subject, aud nv
,tters to the President and others.
q. Can you indicate more definitely
ne profits of the post to Evans Il Co. !?
A. The profits on everything were
cry great, fully equal to 800 per cent. :
was eXtorted from the pockets of
ne officers OF the United States to en-
ch Mr.. BeIknap.
q. What knowledge have you of
lis II
"A. l know of this officially, having
cen member of the Post Council Of
a part OF the duties of !
hich were to see that the post trader
oes not make an overcharge for sup
lies. When asked why the charges
ere so eXOrbitant, we were told it
as because they were obliged to do
}, because they had to pay Secretary
elknap fifteen thousand dollars a I
ear for the privilege.
q. Was any action taken on this at
10 tinap