National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-06
A CURIOUS sroRY.
what Mrs. vyilsoa Had e Say AbeaG =
Renslom-

Last fall pension was granted to the
mother OF Daniel H. Wilson, who belonged 70 com
psny C, Twenty SECOND Pennsylvania Cavalry, dur
ing the on the rebellion, and the first payment
amounted TO 81 552. At the date Of the allowance
she was an inmate of the isirnary, p0or-h house,
of Washington County, Pennsylvania, where she
had been Tor period of about eight years, but her
post-ofice address was Portland Station, Jefferson
County, Ohio, in care of her surviving son. Joseph
Wilson, who had himself been soldier
and was an applicant for a pension on
account of disabilities incurred in the
| service of the Government, and who was at
tending to his mothers business as well as his
own. This son was poor man, with family OF
his own, and, owing to his poverty and disabled
condition unable to furnish his mother q COM
Portable support and needed medical attendance
hence she became a county charge, as stated The
remainder is best told in the affidavit of the
claimant, which reads as follows:
Before me, Samuel Myler, notary public in and
for the county of Jefferson and State OF Ohio per-
soDally came Susan Wilson, who, being duly
sworn according to law deposeth and saith that " l
was an inmate Of the infirnary in the county OF
Washington and State of Pennsylvania. l was
there a pauper for about eight years. Ny son,
Joseph Wilson, whose place of residence is at Port
land Station. in Jefferson County, in the State of
Ohio, applied TO get pension for me for the loss
| of my sons in late war. He finally succeeded
/ in getting it. 1t amounted to 1852.
vouchers was spoiled in making out, and sent
with James Campbell for another voucher. He
had also power of attorney for me 10 sign giving
him control over my business. l refused to sign
it, and the three directors of the poor house told
me, if / did not sign it, would never get away
from the poor house. and Alexander MeCalmant
| my check, and / told them i would not sign 1t
| until my son, Joseph Wilson. was sent for. James
Campbell then .hon tod me it,. did did, not
died and rotted. / then made my
mark. and the goth day of September, 1880 was
brought by james Campbell to the State of Ohio
Station, the c. & z. Railroad. He left $50 which
owed my Son-borrowed money and for attend
ing to getting my pension. He also gave me nine
yards of flannel, a shawl. one pair Of gloves. and
81 worth of stocking yarn They compelled me by
threats that 1 should never get away if did not
house eight years, which 1 did, but was only
inundated to do it by them saying II l
did not l never would get away Campbell
has my money, or at least has not paid il to me,
except the $50 and the goods before mentioned.
My son, Joseph Wilson, demanded my release on
the Monday before the 4th of June, 1850, from the
superintendent OF the inhrmary. he refused to
grant iC. Then on the 4th of June demanded my
release and my son. Joseph Wilson, demanded IL,
and II Was refused. Then, also in August 1880, my
son, Joseph Wilson, came TO see me, and got MIN
TO go TO the directors OF the infrnary and demand
my release. E. G. Conneli, the superintendent,
ordered him out OF the room, and said " she
to indemnify the directors" l then sent my son,
Joseph Wilson, to James Campbell to get the
papers. but he did not get them. Campbell
promised me that when the check would come he
would send word to my son Joseph Wilson, but he
did not do it; he promised me that when the
money came he would buy me property but he
never did it, and further deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed in my presence this 18th
day of September, 1850. SAMUEL MYLER,
Notary Public
HMrs. Wilson's story is true, and there appears
no reason for doubling that it is so, it develops
case worthy of Gradgrind, so viyidly pictured by
Dickens, and shows state of affairs that should be
inquired into without delay Besides a probable
violation of law such an exhibition of utter heart
lessness deserves the severest condemnation. The
matter has been laid before the Hon j. 4. Bentley,
Commissioner Of Pensions, who has promised to
that the rights of the pensioner are maintained
and that any wrong done her is corrected at an
rIu dow