Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-10-22
From an Ex-Soldier.

Coal CREEK, Tenn, Oct 21st., 49,.
Mr.. EDITOR: I see from your paper that
some of your correspondents desire the
pensioners of this Congr essional district, to
say, through the columns of your paper,
what our Representative, Hon. L. G. Honk,
has done towards pushing their claims
through and securing the money on them.
take this opportunity to tell them what
he has done for me.
l was a soldier in the service of the
United States during the war, and was dis
abled; but did not resign for the good of
the service, nor did l at any time forsake
my post of duty. 1t seems natural then,
that Judge Houk should de something to-
ward pensioning me for disabilities incurred
during the service, he being such dear
friend to the soldier, and such an industri-
GUS servant of the people. By referring to
the list of those whom he especially aided.
Your readers will find my name, and it is
my duty, therefore to tell just what he did
in my case. 1t was this:
Houk went to Washington and reported
to the heads of the department that l was a
fraudulent pensioner, and was not entitled
to receive anything from the govern
ment for disabilities incurred. He
further stated then and there
that was rebel and that I could not
prove my loyalty to the government. He,
of course, knew this to be false; but Houk
never stands back on making false state
ments when he thinks he can carry point
by it. He was drumming for influence at
Washington then, and the end justified the
means, suppose. After he had done me
this valuable SERVICE" it became necessary
for me to show the falsity of his statements.
This did upon the atfidavits of Hon. j. nj.
Thornburgh, Gen. j. A. Cooper, NJ Stew
ems, Capt Lon. BLIZZARD, w. o. White, and
others, who fought with me in the war
When this was done my claim was granted
in duo time, and was granted over his oppo-
sition. Now that I have triumphed, he has
the audacity and cheek to claim the honor
of having secured it for me. This would
eclipse the ''pizen" story for cheek, were it
possible to surpass this important statement.
[ was not surprised, however, to find him
working against me, but think it would
| have been wise measure In him to have
omitted my name in the list before men
toned.
The truth of the matter is that Houk had
nothing to do with nine-tenths of these
claims, either one way or the other; but he
went to the records and took the
names of each one who had re-
ceived money on his claim, and dele
gated to himself all the honor
for such payments. Among these, my name
fell, and in as much as he had rendered me
as much service as he had most of the
others, he also copied my name. Gibson's
weekly Houk, not long since, stated that
many for whom Houk had rendered valua-
bic service in securing the payment of their
claims, were then abusing him and trying
to defeat his election. If the work done
for me is the kind of valuable service +"
rendered in their behalf, we are not sur
prised to hear of their fight. We hope
they will keep it up, and in the next Con-
gress we will have a man to whom such
matters may be safely entrusted. 1 want
thinking men everywhere to note what 1
have said, turn to that list, and then make
up their minds as to what weight they
should give Houk's statements, when he
claims to have secured all these payments.
Let others speak for themselves. Yours for
honesty. w. H. EDWARDS,
Lieutenant 4th Tenn. Cavalry.