The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-21
A JUST DECISION.
Reimbursement for Expenses of Sick
ness and Burial.
The following decision by the Second Con-
troller will be of interest to soldiers:

SECOND CONTROLLERS OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, ID. C., SEPT. 4, 1886.
Memorandum.
In the matter OF the claim of Elvira H. Jillson
for reimbursement Of expenses of the last
sickness and burial Of Hannah Jillson, a pen
sioner.
The account Of the claimant herein having
been received, examined, settled and certified
by the Third Auditor in pursuance of Section
pa, Revised Statutes, and the said Auditor
having decided that there is due TO the claim
ant only the sum Of S75 of the amount claimed
by her, upon the ground that "there is no
evidence whatever filed going To show that the
pensiOner had any last sickness" etc, and
transmitted the said amount with all the vouch-
ers aud papers TO this office upon an exam-
nation thereof certify that there is due to the
said claimant the sum of ;SIi6.93 for the reasons
herein set forth.
Ii appears that Hannah Jillson was the
mother of David NJ Jillson private in the
10th VT, and that in May, 1877, pension GER
tihcate was issued in her name granting her
pension at the rate Of s. per month as depend
ent mother of the said David NJ. Jillson; that
she died in August, 1870 before receiving a
pension, and the amount which had accrued
thereon 10 the date of her death was $ii693.
Elvira II. Jillson, daughter Of the pensiOner in
November, 1885, filed an application for reim-
bursement of the expenses which she claims to
have incurred by reason of the last sickness
ard burial Of her mother, the pensioner.
In passing upon the claim il is stated by the
Auditor that the evidence necessary to prove
the last sickness of the pensioner. and that this
claimant bore the expenses attending the same,
is wanting, and therefore he cannot allow her
for such expenses. Ii is admitted by this office
that the evidence in the form Of the receipted
bills, such as is generally furnished by claim
ants for reimbursement, is absent, but think
unavoidable 70 thn ltar OH
stances attending this case. 1t is shown by the
papers filed with this claim that the father and
mother Of the claimant were both invalids the
mother suffering with both asthma and heart
disease they were both old and infirm and
entirely dependent upon their daughter for a
home and for the actual neeessaries of life.
In order TO keep them from the almshouse
and from paupers graves their daughter, this
claimant, engaged as a weaver in one of the
cotton mills of Manchester n H., where she
worked diligently and made good wages when
her health permitted (for it appears that she
too was delicate and lost much time on account
of sickness, a large portion Of which she regu-
larly remitted TO her parents for their support
and for the support of younger brother whom
she had engaged to remain at home with them
TO render the care and nursing which they in
their helpless condition required.
The condition af this aged and afflicted cou-
pie grew gradually worse until Aug. 26, 1870,
when death relieved them of their suffering.
and the claimant, who spent all she had to rem
der TO her parents some comfort in their
helplesneSs, is now asking such reimbursement
as the law allows.
OF the witnesses whose af1idavits are filed in
this case Lorette B. Ainsworth states that she
knew Hannah JillsOn TO have suffered for years
from lung and heart troubles, which increased
upon her till death; that she was entirely de-
pendent upon her daughter, the claimant, for
support, and when she died the claimant was
obliged TO sell her home TO defray the expenses
attending the last sickness and burial Of her
mother and father.
Jennie NJ. Thompson states that she knew
claimant to send money monthly for years
from her income in the cotton mills at Man
chester for the support Of her parents and that
10 her certain knowledge this monthly remit
tance was continued for period of three years.
and she often heard claimant say that her
mother and father were invalids and entirely
dependent upon her.
Charles S. Smith Superintendent of the mills
in which claimant worked, states in his afIida-
Wit that she is strictly honest, credible and
honorable.
Enoch Holt, of Providence, r. l., states that
he knows claimant sent so per month for three
years TO her parents previous to their death.
Malinda G. Putnam, of WilliamstOwn, VT,
states that she was personally acquainted with
the pensoner from 1854 until her death lived
a near neighbor 10 her, aud often called to as
sist in nursing and taking care Of her when
she was prostrated by asthma and lung disease
and that as far back as 1865 the pensioner was
frequently confined TO her bed and she con-
tinued to grow worse until she died.
Lewis w. Flint. Of Williamstown, VT, states
that he knew pensiOner and claimant for many
years, and knows that claimant took care of
her mother for long period and knows, fur
ther that claimant owned the house in which
her parents lived, having purchased the same
with her earnings at the mills. and that she
had TO sell her house when they died in order
10 pay for the necessary medical attendance
and funeral expenses.
Warren ID. Jillson, brother of the claimant
states that the pensioner was afflicted with
asthma and heart disease for many years, which
grew worse in the last few years Of her life;
that he took care Of his parents the most Of the
time, and occasionally hired n nurse when
compelled TO be absent and that the money
10 pay the nurse aud 10 support pensioner was
furnished by the claimant, who sent so per
month from her income in the mills for three
years or more Witness further states that
claimant had TO sell her house when her par
ents died TO pay the necessary funeral and other
expenses. lie states, also, that bills for sup
plies furnished and for nursing rendered can
not now be obtained, because such expenses
were paid at the time when incurred aud no
10 pay said expenses was supplied by the claim
ant.
DIR. George T. Lane states that he attended
pensiOner professionally during her last illness;
commenced his visits in February, 1866, and
continued TO visit her until her death, Aug. 26
1870; and that all charges against her were
paid except one (the last, which he released;
aud he has no doubt that this claimant paid
for his attendance, although he cannot now re-
member
/ think the evidence filed clearly shows that
the pensiOner. Hannah Jilson, was, from
asthma, heart disease, aud old age in i'll health
and entirely dependent for over four years be-
fore she died for support, care and nursing upon
her daughter, the claimant. who could only
provide such necessities by keeping her place
in the mills at Manchester, and sending home
her money as she received It to pay for the
same.
No bills were rendered and no receipts were
taken, because the claimant furnished the
money TO pay cash for all necessaries. Sup
plies were purchased IN smdll quantities, and
services were rendered by the nurse at differ
ent times as needed, and NIB account was kept
by the claimant for the reason that she did
not then know that she was, or would be, en-
titled TO reimbursement.
DIR. Lane states that he attended the PEN
sioner from February 1856 until her death,
thus showing that sheswas so i'll during that
period as to require medical attendance and
three Of the witnesses whose afidayits are
filed with this claim state that pensioner was
i'll with asthma aud heart disease during the
period when DIR. Lane says he attended her,