The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1883-05-14
THE CRITIC ABROAD,

InE OhlllC AbhUAU.
A good story is told at the expense of
Silas Patterson who was few years ago
well known in this city and especially to
the gentlemen on Newspaper Row. Silas
was the hopeful son and heir Of Senator
Patterson, of South Carolina. 1t will be
remembered that at the beginning of the
Forty-fifth Congress there was most ex-
citing contest over tine admission to seats OF
Senator Butler, of South Carolina and Kel-
logg, of Louisiana. The Republicans, with
the exception of Patterson, were op-
posed to admitting Butler until after
Kellogg had been sworn in, and the
parties were so evenly divided that dead
lock was the result. Finally compromise
was effected whereby it was agreed that
the gentlemen should be sworn in one af-
ter the other. They could not be sworn in
at the same time, because one took the
iron-clad oath and the other did not. Sem
ator Patterson was personal friend of Mr..
Buffers, made speeches in his favor and
voted with the Democrats for his admis-
sion. During the contest Silas had good
deal of information to communicate as
coming from his father. At first the news
paper men were glad to get
his news, but after awhile it became
evident that tho young man was drawing
pretty long bow and romanolng more or
less. In fact his news items had flavor of
suspicion. One evening he gave Mr.. Mac
Bride, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, piece
of information which Mac sent off as one Of
Silas' rumors, but coupled it with saving
clause and added line which made close
connection between Silas and Ananias. Now
Silas haunted the Enquirer office a
good DEAL He delighted to sec his news
in cold type. The day that the
Enquirer came back with the
abote particular item he went to the
Office as usual, took down the file, seated
himself comfortably, planted his feet on the
desk and began to read. In a little while
he laid the file down, and evidently was
thinking about something very seriously.
Then he took up the paper and again read.
Again he became absorbed In a great
thought. Finally he turned to a GENTLE
man in the office with the question:
"Who in thunder was Ananias? ?"
The young mans Sunday-school educa-
tion had evidently been neglected, and the
story of Ananias as recorded in the Acts
was explained to him.
Silas picked up the file and read again,
and then throwing it down in disgust, re-
marked:
"Then Mac means to say in this dispatch
that am - - liar?'
"That's about the size Of it,"
He made for the door, and If he ever Wis.,
tied the Enquirer Office again it was q long
time afterward.
A Critic writer came up with we'll
known city man, Who accosted the Critic
with the words: " You seem to want to
know something about this man Blackmar,
who on some occasions figures as carrier or
spaniel between Bliss, Merrick, Ker and
their other counsel"
Yes" said the Critic, "we want to
know. What can you tell us?"
can refer you to some Department and
court records, which give part os his
history"
"Well, what are they ?' said the Critic
Some time after Blackmar was turned
out of the Treasury, he went to East
Killipgly, Conn.,, his former home, and
going to number Of prominent men, told
them the postmaster was about to resign
and wanted him (Blackmar) to succeed
him, but nothing must be said about it.
He asked each of these parties, about
twenty in all, to sign a recommendation
for him as postmaster They did SO. With
this Blackmar came to Washington and
stated that the postmaster wanted to
resign and had gotten these par
ties to indorse him. In consequence, he
master of East Killingly. With his COM
mission in his pocket he went to the post
master, told him to take his time, settle up
his business and then turn over the Office.
The postmaster said he was ready TO settle
then, and did SO, giving the office to
Blackmar, after which he took the next
train to Washington. Here the papers
were shown him and what Blackmar had
said told him. The postmasters next
move was to get the affidavits of each one
of the parties who had recommended
Blackmar as to the manner in which
the latter obtained their indorse-
ments by false pretenses. The result
was BlackmRr was removed at the end OF
thirteen days. The afiidavits are now on
file, unless Blackmar has succeeded in alb.
stracting Them
well, what next?" asked the Critic.
Every one recolects A. V. s. Smith,
who was engaged in that sowing machine
swiudle, for which he went to jail. Black
mar is his brother-in-law, and was his
| partner in those swindllng transactions
They extracted $4,000 from one woman
and various sums from other parties
Blacltmar managed to keep himself out OF
jail, but Smith was not so fortunate, and
they were forced to disgorge some of their
swag. -
Anything more?
"Oh, yes. Blackmar next turned up a:
confidential clerk of Gilmore & Co. He
opened all the letters each morning when
Gilmore was not at the office. At the time
Gilmore was dealing largely in additional
homestead scrip his orders all coming by
mail, and being filled by mail. He noticed 4
great falling Off in his orders, and found
that Blackmar, his confidential clerk, wa:
keeping back the letters and filling the or
ders on his own account, thus swindling
Gilmore out of several hundred dollar
weekly. For this Gilmore had him ar,
rested The records of the Police Cour
will show when. He made some sort Of /
settlement with Gilmore and was released.
Anything moreT said the Critic.
"No, not on Blackmar, but If you can gel
J. ]. Kinds, formerly Of Alabama, TO talk
you might get the particulars of how p. Ii
Woodward was kept from going to the pen