The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-16
MAJOR HODGE'S GREIr steal.
Dfd tbe District Ring Get amy Portinu Of the
Hall Million he Embezzleds


wAsniNGToN, March l5.-Oue morning
about four ycars ago Washington was very much
excited over what was then called a very start
ling development NJ ior j. Lcdvard Hodge,
Assistant Paymastcr General 1t was proclaimed
along tho streets. had stolen hair milton dol
Rs OF the peoples money. Government oftici ils
affected TO feel shocked, and none more 80 than
william W. Bclknap. Secretary OF War The
virtuous indignation OF this gentleman knew no
bounds. Indeed, he affected to believe that
hanging was only too good for a man who would
thus dishonor his profession.
Hodge came out manfully and acknowledged
the theft, stood his trial before military court,
was found guilty, and sent to the Albany peni-
Tertiary, but after very short soiourn at that
Institution he was pardoned out by Grant. the
application for HE release being signed by A. II.
Sheppard, John o. Evans. Hallett Kilbourn, and
other notorious members Of the Washington
HING. This much we know but wBere that half
million dollars OF the peODie's money all went
TO has remained mystery till very recently. a
popular, but very mistaken. idea ~ that u won't
into the hands Of pulhaInus ~ Jackson, New
York brokers. and was lost in stock specula-
A csrct,a examination OF the record Of tho
military court before which Hodge was tired
aud condemned fails to show where the whole
Of tho money went TO. Indeed, pains seem TO
have been taken to conceal rather than elicit
the bottom facts. Nor was the civil court In
were tried for completely with Hudgeto defraud
the Government any more successful.
An officer Of the War Department. somewhat
famous for following up and exposing ir.uds on
the Government has for several months past
been giving hts attention to Hodges case. with
a view Of nnding out cxnctiy what became u
the stolen money. He now says that he shall
IN vcry short time be able 20 show that very
largo portion Of II went into the hands Of John
o. Evaus. and Kiiboun & Latta Of this city, and
was, and perhaps Is, vet covered up under rr,h
estate trans ctions. John q. Evans aud XIII
boutn are already welt known as two % the
most unscfupulous members OF the Washington
Ring. In a correspondence betw cen KiDourn
& Latta and one William Reading about some
real estate QstD there occurs THIS sentence:
signed the deed prepared BY them lkllbonsn =
e or az cY,aers9 n oe ns s .,
drytTine ii 10 Them hut was answered By Inn that Il
had better be- done ~ Mr.. Oimttesd. their CLERK
The oficer have referred 10 has been work.
ing on this clue and now finds thHt good deal OF
Major Hodge = name. This Is subject demand
ing investigation, and the whole truth should he
brought TO light. Hodge, n Is very well known.
was among the first to hecone afflicted with the
real estate epidemic which swept over washing
ton cCnJointty with Boss Shepherds "compre-
bensive plan Of public improvements" His OPP
erations were on an extensive scale, and he was
at that time an almost daily visitor ut the real
estnte ONCE OF ktlbourn Lstta. Hts business
relations with John q. Evans were also known
TO he OF mn extensive and somewhat mysterious
character, go much SO that they were the sub
je If comment among hts brother officers.
Only afew yeHrs ago THIS man, John q. Evans,ai
times found u difficult To raise money enouab tc
pay his monthly board bills. To-day he Is mil
lIOnli G. How he made Ill his money Is a secret
as yet known only 20 A. r. shepherd and the In
side Ring. Hodges hne house passed into JONI
q. Evans hands. IL Is well known that the
Ring worked increasingly 20 procure Hodge;
pardon, ind that he, on his releuse, went into
the Office Of Evans aud took charge Of his bust
ness and books. IL Is wen kno vn, too, how hi
tl'urishes IN Washington under the Rings pa
tFOu.