The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-02-05
THE PENSION FRAUDS.


Ehe Cass OF Aaron EidftdSe.
The case of Aaron Eldridge OF Clinton charg.
ed with obtaining pension for Jane Lewis
was continued before Judge Fox in thei U. s.
District Court yesterday morning.
The first witness called was E. w. Black
OF Augusta, lawyer, aud claim agent The
principal part of his testimony related to the
Identification of certain papers which Colonel
Kent had produced as coming from the Pen.
sion Department, at Washington, these papers
having passed through Mr.. Blacks hands as
claim agent in this case; also as to the modus
operandi of securing claims. He testified that
Randall first sent him the exemplification pa
pers-or copies of bounty warrants and upon
these, in this case, he sent to Randall a decla-
ration to be filled out and attested, and after it
came back with Jane Lewis's signature, and
the witnesses, he forwarded it to Washington.
The papers then took the regular course until
allowed, and he received his fee. These papers
were generally objected to by the defence, but
admitted.
Franklin M. Drew, pension agent at Angus
ia, was next called. He introduced the rolls
of his Office which showed that Jane Lewis,
the claimant, was on the rolls, pension certif-
cate 6,401, and that she purported TO be the
widow of Ebenezer Lewis, who was soldier in
Captain Williams's company, Goth United
States Infantry, in the war of 1872. The pen.
sion certificate was dated Oath Nov, 1874,
signed by B. r. Cowan, acting Secretary of the
Interior, and j. 81. Baker, commissioner. The
fret no ID
ten dollars of which was paid to Mr.. Black.
Second payment, March 4th. 1875, 1924. Third
payment June 3rd, 1876, 1874. Fourth pay
ment a check for 1924 was sent to Jane Lewis
at Waterville, Sept. 9th u.s. which check was
returned to the pension agent on Nov. 1st,
through Mr.. Kinds, a lawyer of Benton, who
said be understood that Jane Lewis was dead
Several papers were shown to Mr.. Drew and
identified, and offered as evidence by the gov
ernment aud objected to by the defence. They
were admitted, the Judge stating however,
not as any evidence of payment to Jane
Lewis
Francis Low, of Clinton, was recalled. A
note with the signature of Aaron Eldrdge was
shown him. He testified that Mr.. Eldridge
could not read writing, and that he signs his
name with difficulty. Mr.. Low had business
transactions with him and said that Mr.. FL
bridge would, perhaps, as soon sign papers that
were not, as those that wefe, read in matters
between Mr.. Low and himself. This Closed
the government testimony.
AT the coming in of the court in the after
noon, Mr.. Charles Clifford opened the case for
the defense. He claimed that the respondent
was merely tool of Randall, and being igno-
rant was not aware what he was signing. In
support of this theory be produced number of
witnesses.
Franklin M. Drew was the first witness
called by the defense. He testified that the
certificate upon which this pension was OBJ
tanned was numbered 1872 and was granted
june I'd, 1874. The first payment of back
pensions was made on the 18th day Of June,
1874
Moody Eldridge, the 500 of the respondent,
was next called to tell the story of the signing
of the certificate. The following is the SUBJ
stance of his testimony:
Two years ago this month lived at home,
and N. W. Randall and wife boarded at his
fathers house. Mr.. Randall taught the winter
school; do not know whether he was Superin-
tendent of schools or not. Father does not
read writing at all. He writes his name with
some difficulty. On the day the papers were
signed father and mother were just leaving
home to visit fathers sister, who was very ill.
Just as they were ready to leave Randall came
into the kitchen from the sitting room, and
asked father to sign paper. This was Friday
noon. Mr.. Randall had just closed his school.
Randall said the paper stated that Esther Nell
son was the widow of Leader Nelson. and she
still remained unmarried. They both signed
this statement, father first and mother after
wards. She paused short time before doing
so. At the time of the signing was standing
near the door but could see the paper; cannot
describe it, After both father and mother had
signed, Randall said now sign this one it is the
same thing. think they both signed again.
Could not tell where the pen and ink came
from. Our ink was usually kept in the sitting
room. Randall staid near the table while
father and mother signed the paper He took
the paper and went away soon after. Father
and mother went away Immediately after the
signing and did not return until dark. Both Of
them use glasses; do not remember if they
used them whea signing this paper. Fathers
eyesight is very poor. Mrs. Randall had left
the house few days before this occurrence
Do not remember whether my brother Richard
was in the house or not. There was no oaths
taker, nor was the paper read aloud to father
or mother. Do not think that Randall was in
the room at the time ten minutes. The witness
stated that he could read and write, and his
mother and brother could, but his father could
only write his name.
At this point the court adjourned until ten
o'clock to-day.