Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-02-15
A PENSION CASE.

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Gilbert f. Shaw Of Paris, an old SOL
der of Co. F. 20 Maine regiment, lies
on his bed totally disabled. BY the
effort of Governor Perham, several years
ago, Shaw received State pension, and
afterwards the National government gave
him an additional pension. Mr.. Shaws
claim for government aid lies in the fact
that he received shock Of sun stroke
while on the march from Poolesvilie to
Alexandria, in June, 1868.
Capt. Bolster of So. Paris, testifes that
Shaw was disabled at that time, and he
excused him from duty and placed him
in an ambulance. Geo. w. Cole, Jr., OF
Paris Hill, testi6es that Shaw was then
disabled, and that he lay, while sick, out
of doors all night in drenching rain.
Andrew J. Smith, Shaw's terminate, tes-
titles to the same effect. Joseph Brown
Of Rumford. teamster in the regiment,
,estifies that he carried Shaw to Maryland
Heights in a disabled condition. Joel
Goodwin of Bethel, who stood next to
Shaw in the Company, testifes that Shaw
was stricken down by the heat.
On such testimony-and II seems TO
be the best that can be obtained in any
case-Shaw got pension, but some en-
terprising party or parties, took the
trouble to inform the department at
Washington that Shaw was able to work,
on his return from the army. and that his
present neutrality-suspicious. brought
on by other causes. No doubt some be-
lieved this TO be the case. Many people
think that sunstroke means instant death
However, the best medical authorities
now declare that the effects OF sunstroke
NAV be either instantaneous, or they may
be gradual. Many persons are affected
bv sunstroke, and live for years there
after, the disease gradually passing over
the body, producing paralysis, or destroy
ING the brain. Shaw was thus affected.
After his return from the army, he was
able 70 do some work, but was not In his
former robust health. He could not
walk with ease, nor could he apply him.
self 10 study. Rev. 4. c. Herrick OF
Hebron Academy, says that before Shaw
went into the army, he was bright
Young man, and good student On his
return TO the Academy after his army
experience he could not follow the pre-
scribed course of study, and was allowed
20 pursue such course as he saw Mt.
The other teachers also testify 20 the
same fact. and all agree that 1t was be-
cause OF his reported attack Of sunstroke
in the army Mr.. Alban Maxim Of Paris
Hill. LAWYER c. K Elder Of Boston,
LAWYER W. II. Motley of Boston. Law
yer Benson Of Paris, all students at He
bron with shaw, testify Of his disability.
Many Of the neighborS also give evidence
Of ms poor health after returning from
the army. while il had been excellen,
before that time.
Several excellent physicians who have
examined Shaw, say he is suffering from
paralysis-just as the best medical au-
thoritieS declare It my follow sunstroke.
or prustration from heat. Not being
aware OF these facts. neighbors and friends
OF the family freely give evidence to
government Agent, concerning work which
bad been done by Shaw since his return
from the army, and on the representation
OF this agent, Shaws pension was sus
pended. The man Is doomed 20 life of
sutfering-it may be long hfe-and of
useleSsness. If the government pretends
to care for such, here is a case where the
party is needy and deserving. Those who
know all the facts, believe that injustice
has been done Shaw, and that the gov
eminent should restore his pension with
arrearages
We are told that the evidence on which
the pension was suspended, is on file at
the Pension Office, as being given under
oath We have recently seen certif-
cate signed by nearly all those whose
testimony was taken by the government
agent, Ia j; they declare that they never
gave any testimony under oath, and only
talked with the agent abou, the case. II
they had known what effect their con-
versation was TO have. they would have
been more guarded, and have looked over
the facts before making any positive
statements, SO as 10 be certain not
so convey erroneous impressions. If
these conversations have been put on file
as afhdav.ts. the government has not only
deprived worthy pensioner of his sup
port, but is agent has committed crime.
Mr.. Shaw's friends are looking into the
matter. and we trust that justice, though
tardy. will be meted out at last.