The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-13
CAPTAIN BLAIR'S TROUBLE.
DID HE BIGIMOUSLY MIRRY GEN.
ERAL GR1NGER'S WIDOW.
Under Gunrd on Governors Island Awaiting
Formal Charges from WnshIngron Of Com
duct UnbecominE an OHicer and Gentleman.

Formal Charges from WnshIngron OF Con-
duct UnbecominE an OGcer and Gentleman.
Capt. Thomas Blair Of the Fifteenth United
States Infantry ls under close surveillance on
Governors Island. in accordance with mill
tary order from Washington. The intent OF the
order Is that hc shall merely bo prevented from
escaping until one or both OF two sets Of
charges. in contemplation. shall be formulated
against him. and the proper service and arrest
can be made.
When Gen. Gordon Granger was Colonel Of
the Fifteenth Infantry. Blair was n lieutenant
and regimental adjutant. He was favorite
alike with his Colonel and with tho rest Of tho
command. 1t is said that he enlisted and roso
from the ranks by his bravery and ability. He
came originally from Scotland. whore most Of
his relatives reside. Mrs. Granger. OF whom
her friends In this city speak with tho highest
respect Is member Of a family well known and
esteemed in Lexington, kentucky. Her maiden
name was Maria Lecher 1t is said that after the
Generals death she obtained support for her
self and child for n short timo as u clerk In tho
QunrtermAstor- Generals oflce in Washington.
Her husband had been frequent visitor In tho
house Of Commodore Vanderbilt. and sho was
a friend Of the Vanderbilt family. While sho
was employed ns a clerk tho Commodore died.
and she found that she had received bcqucst
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
Company. This was in tho spring of 1877.
About year ago she returned to her fathers
house in Lexington. and her friends were soon
Informed that she WAS 10 be married to hcr late
husbands brilliant and amiabe adjutant. who
hal been advanced from Lieutenant TO Cap
tain. They were married in her house. and
Santa Fc. New Maxiea
Recently Tho American Consul in Glasgow ro-
turned 10 Washington, bringing news that
woman barring the namc Of Mrs Thomas Blair
Nichols Of Glasgow. claimed. ~ IL is reported.
TO be- Capt Blairs wife. aud that her husband
had dropped his name Nichols on coming to tho
Initial states. The Consul. IL is said. brought
with him documents tending to prove her as
ported To De an acceptance by the War Depart
ment. duly signed. Of his resignation from the
army rs b" has not resigned, Ii il inferred
that one OF the charges that have been prepared
nj the War Department against Capt. Blair may
he mat oi forgery. which, II i should be proved.
would nece-sitat" his dismissal from the army
Tor conduct uuhecoming AN officer and u gem
tlcman." How Mrs Nichols could come IN pos
session of such document is not known but il
Is said that he wrote 10 her that he was going
10 uui the Cnitcl States 10 travel. and it is a
ter her from visiting the United States in search
of him and that the alleged acceItanc,, Of his
resi%nnt on from tie army was s"nt = her rs a
The news Of Mrs Nlrhdls's allcsnt.9ns. I, is
ifid. ves hrSl iH.rsrnEhrdto Ms. bar Ia Santa
r" hv Mr.. william II. Vanderbilt II this ci,y.
and It Is sHid that her reply indicated that she
WAS no, unaware NJ tho claim uIon her has
unnd. Sh" d-clnred her belief IN his Innocence.
and on this. her previous kuoWi"lgr. and her
confidence IN him. Cap'. Biair's friends base
iue hou" that he Will hr able To- clear himsolf u
'li charges as soon as they shall take definite
form.
On the other hand. the second SGT Of charges
Is reported 20 be- expected t. come from her rel
ativcs In Kentucky. aud 10 involve a direct ne
cusation OF hgnny TO he Prosecuted in Ken
iucky criminal court WLv,her The American
Consuls inquiries ia Glasgow were mntl. with
the knowlcdse u Mcs Blair's relatives j. not
YET certainly known. Before his marriage
to visit scotland ON private business.
ie and Mrs. Blair arrived in New
fotk direct ir"m SHnia Ft in the early p1ri of
ast wr"k. II" says that he WIS IN his way 70
Washington. \ t'w drys ago an on 'cr of tho
army, stationed on G0Vornur'- Island. calle On
him, iu the Sturt"Vf.nt Huusr. Wi, re- he WIS
staying VITA his wife. ami toll him be must ac-
company him to OoV' runr's Island. by or Ter ni
Con Han 'o'k since he has h-rn there be- hns
r-insrd - Tux about th" reason for MS arrest.
except 10 iutinHt" iri"ud-. nnd eu)s hc viii not
g. so mu'il tn" arrival 90 m" sp"'ilr charges
irnm Washington. HIS Wii", who Is yet stay n
In tn" Sturtryant House. visits him every day
-" docs not desire al present tl make public
h"r version II the trouble IN which he is in
Vowed
Ahll was prepared to bo introduced in Con-
Err-, ast session. the ohi at " which WIS 20 re-
lieNr Can't. Blair from tho necessity of making
good d"il. 40 Of 900 - rommiSSary funds. ON
tne ground that they w-r' stolen from him iu
such % way that he could not properly hn Ee,i
responsible tn" blll w4~ not introduced an
"a rra ~ all god is Tint tn member who had it
900 chnr-" h'arl of tho a'ru- lt.on OF higamy
against tap. Blair. and dnridrl 10 delay tao
lrs 'uintion ol the bill until after an inVcsi;i-
tom should b. had.
G"n. 'Huunock ana other officers on Governors
ally and ~ "a so,iirr II is -nil that Gen. ohcr-
man. who knows Mr.. T. ni- w"ll. ON henrln: -
th" charges AGAINST her husband. Nrnto her a
kini l"ii"r. IN which he urged her to come back
tp Washington.