Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-08
1ElEyAP.

p,SecTetaiy Vi W AT, - ~ dSloui1u
ing as to render a proper treatment
Of the subject most difficult task
No paliating circumstance are offered
in excuse of the great crime, by
which trusted and honored public
officer is consigned to ignomy, and
an entire nation indirectly disgraced.
The following statement Of the facts
in the case is all that need be given :
The story of the Belknap corrup-
ton, as told by Caleb p. Marsh, is a
sichening revelation of official venal-
ity. AS the implicated husband and
wife coHcede its truthfulness, the
public must accept it as true without
reservation.
In the summer Of 1870 Marsh and
his family met, at Long Branch, Mrs.
BellSnap, since deceased, and her
widowed sister, Mrs. Bowers, the
present Mrs. Belknap. The former
husband OF Mrs. Bowers was in part
nership with Mr.. Marsh, once in
trade at Cincinnati; but at that time
the latter was living in New York
city. Soon alter, the two sisters Wis
I tied the Marshes at their home. Mrs.
Be!knap was i'll there for few
weeks. When she recovered, and
was on the eve of returning to Wash
ington, she expressed gratitude for
the Kindness shown her by suggest
ing to Mr.. Marsh that he apply for
d post-tradership, explaining the
profits Of the position. She seemed
to know the "ropes" perfectly. She
warned liln against Offering her bus
band q bride, telling him how the
ilate Secretary once kicked an appli-
cant out Of his Office for Offering him
$1,000 for q position. Marsh
thought he saw in that warning an
intimation that the money must be
paid through her as go-between.
Events justified his sullnise, for in u
short time he was notified that he
could have the post at Fort Sill. He
arranged with the trader then at the
post to do the business and pay him
u bonus, The amount first agreed
upon was $4,000, but before writ
ings were drawn it was reduced to
$4,000, subsequently it was cut
down to $4,000. Marsh said he had
received in all about $4,000 on that
contract, one,half of which, as per
agreement, he has paid to the Bel
knaps. His personal profits were
$4,000, without investing any mon
ey, doing any work, or incurring
any risks. The man Evans, the res
ident trader with whom the arrange
ment was made, raised the money by
placing extortionate prices upon his
goods. One officer at Fort Sill had
the temerity to complain, and Bel
KNAPP promptly removed him.
Mrs. BclSnap died very soon after
this ring was formed, and Marsh at
tended her funeral, not so much, it
would seem, to mingle his tears with
the bereaved, as to readjust his
crooked" arrangement with the at
tlicted family. The first remittance
was made in November, aud the fun
eral was in December of the same
year. The testimony at this point is
so vital that we give it in full
went up stairs in the nursery with Mrs. Bow.
ers, to see the baby. ! said to her, This child
will have money coming 10 it before a great
while" She sad: Yes the mother gave the
child To me aud told me that the money com
iug from You she must take and keep Tor it,"
said "All right" and seems To me | said
that perhaps the father ought 10 be consulted.
say it seems 50, and yet | can give no reason
for il, for, rs far ~ know, the father knew
nothing OF any money transactions between the
mother and myself. | have faint recollection
of a remark OF Mrs. Bowers that if | sent The
money 10 the father, that it belonged to her,
and that she would ret it anyway. | certainly
had some understanding then or subsequently
with her or with him. for when the next pay
meut came due, and WAS paid, sent oue-haif
thereof To the Secretary OF War, and have con.
tnucd substantially from that day forward 10
the present time. 10 do the same.
Tho money was sometimes paid
directly, but generally sent by ex-
press. At Evans wanted the privi-
lege of selling liquor, or other favor
from the Government, he would
write to Marsh, and Marsh would
forward it to the Secretary. They
often talked about Fort Sill matters.
The baby referred to above was born
in the Fall of 1870, and died the
next Summer.
The desperate effort which was
made to prevent M exposure is set
forth, and forms an important chap