The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-15
CLYMER'S COMMITTEE.
Mr.. PendIetOn Tells about the
Kentucky Central Claim.
And Gen. BOyntOn Gives the ORR
gin of the Herald Story.

WASHINGTON, March 14-George FL. Pendle-
ton was before the committee on expenditures
in the war department to-day. He gave Cir
cumstantial account of his connection with the
Kentucky Central Railroad, aud with tie COL
lection of its claims for transportation services.
He testified that he was paid by the company
80 per cent of the amount received through his
agency, and also that he received about SIS, 900
additional to be paid by him to o. FL Ransom,
who had been a clerk in the company, and who
assisted in the preparation of the claim. He
testified with emphasis that he never paid one
dollar to any person except Ransom. During
the examination Pendeton said that neither
Mrs. Marsh nor Mrs. Brown travelled with him
or his family to Europe, nor did he meet Mr..
Clymer while travelling in Europe, and the re-
port that he had private conversation with
any member of the committee before he testi-
fled was UNANIMOUSLY false.
Pendleton also testified that the Bowler in
terest was fraction less than three fifths Of
the in terest of the railroad.
Senator Stevenson testified in confirmation of
Pendleton's evidence, and said he regarded the
claim as just one as was ever presented.
Gen. 81. V. Boynton with the remark that
he appeared voluntarily and not by subpena)
testified he obtained the information that $780,,
900 or $4,000 out of the Kentucky Central case
was paid to Mrs. Bowers, afterwards Mrs. Belk-
nap, from Col B. f. Grafton, whose authority
was Ger. Kiddo, United States Army. The
first information the witness got came from
Hon. freeman Wilson, who referred him to
Hon. Mr.. Shellabarger, also an ex-Congress
ness called on Col. Grafton. Grafton introduc
ed him to Kiddo, who soon went out. Grafton
said: "The gentleman who just went out knows
all about it," The amount of the statement
was this: That Kiddo was one of the party
with Mr.. and Mrs. Marsh, George 81. Pendle-
ton, Mrs. Bowers, afterwards Mrs. Belknap,
and Mr.. Clymer. who made some parts of the
tour of Europe together. Witness obtained
the impression that they all travelled together
at the same time.
Mr.. ClyDer interIupting, remarked that he
was not in Europe at that time
Witness replied he regretted if he had made
any mistake in the proper division of this party
OF distinguished travellers. That he was re.
statement. Witness learned from Mr.. Grafton
that when Mr.. and Mrs. Marsh reached Wash.
ington the night before Marsh testified. there
was conference at the Arlington Hotel, at
which Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. Belknap and several
other persons were present, all being acqnain-
tances and most of them knowing the facts
which Clymers committee were instructed to
inquire into; that at that meeting Mrs. Marsh,
in talbing of various transactions of which she
had knowledge, alluded to the statements in
circulation in regard to the so called Pendleton
Railroad claim relating to the Kentucky Cen
tral Railroad; that Mrs. Belknap said the stories
were gross exaggerations; that while it had
been believed among some of her friends that
she received $4,000 from that claim, she had
in fact obtained only about half that amount,
that the friends of Mrs. Marsh asserted that if
she was ever brought before that committee
she would undoubtedly testify to the main facts
given above.
Col. Grafton further informed witness that
Gen. Kiddo had gone to Mr.. Clymer and said /:
"Here is case against Pendleton of charac-
ter similar to that of Marsh, and he was re p.
| minded that if he had determined to bring
Belknap down he could. not justly decline to
bring PeHdleton too, and that Clymer asserted
that he had not sufficient data to reach Pendle-
ton, and further, tina. Clymer was pressed with
the rejoinder that Mrs. Marsh would testify to
it, and that the records of the department. would
throw some light on the case, and that the only
way was to summon Mrs Marsh and she would
tell all about the interview. Witness under
stood subpoena was obtained for Mrs Marsh,
but before it could be served she went to Can
ada.
Committee then examined J. B. Cocoran,
who was acquainted with the manner of con-
Quoting trading posts in Texas, and gave num-
erous facts to show how posts are secured and
the profits derived. Adjourned till tomorrow.