Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-09
An Alleged Pension Fraud.
TRIAL OF GEO. BUNBREY, THE oNE-LKGGED SHOE

MAKER
In the Criminal Court, Judge Montgomery, this
morning, Geo. Bumbrey, a One-legged colOred shoe
maker, was placed on trial for violating section
543s X S. U. S. in presenting a false pension
claim, Mr.. LipscOmb prosecuting and Messrs I. F.
Miller, T. c. Taylor and Ed Wright for the defend
claim for pension In the name OF VIM. Ford
a sergeant OF Company l. second United States
sSSTed Troops Wounded By piece
Florida March 9, 1885, which finally necessitated
the amputation OF his leg In 1885.
PENDANT was In the service in the regiment named
and was wounded in the battle, and was clearly
entitled TO pension, but having been slave he
claimed that II 1t is clearly shown, even though
the name OF Ford was used, that Bumbrey was
entitled 70 pension ne could not be convicted.
fed as TO the files In the case and the papers were
read. Among these papers was a deposition OF
Bumbrey, made on the 18th Of January, the read
ing OF which defendant objected to, but was over
ruled This affidavit states that lie enlisted In ed
D.C.C.T.; does not know the company or captains
thinks That he enlisted under the name OF Geo
Taylor; gives the history OF his military service
and OF receiving the wound, and says the same
shell which wounded him killed Major Lincoln,
He denied that he gave the name of VIM. Ford and
said that name was written without his consent,
He was also q member OF oliver p. Norton Post,
G. A. X.
Mr. Jacobs said Bumbrey was arrested in Febru-
arr, and at police headquarters admitted that he
q
servant to Major Lincoln, OF the I'd c. T., who was
killed at Natural bridge. He also stated that he
got his Information as 10 Ford from man named
Seth A. Terry testified that he was notary pub
lie; knew Bumbrey, but never as Ford; witness
name Of Ford, but did not state Why he gave the
name Of Ford. The affidavlts OF johnson and
Thomas, the witnesses, were made before witness
on cross-examination witness said that Bum.
breys papers were prepared at his house, and the
atndavitS OF the witnesses also.
Jonathan W. Chiids destined that he was captain
Of co. ID. U. =. colOred troops; did not know de-
fendant who last summer called on him and asked
TO be Identified as Ford; could not SO identity him.
Bridge, but was at Fort Myers. 200 miles distant.
All the companies or the regiment were in the bat
coin was reported killed there. There are several
members or the company In this city.
Gideon A. Lyon clerk IN the Pension once tes
Detective 9. 1. Wheeler testined that Bumbrey
ice an enlisted man, but was q servant OF Major
LfncOln'H On crOSS-examtnattOn the Officer said
that Bumbrey stated that he was detailed AZ
Charles Carroll testified that he was In Captain
Childs' company; that Bumbrey about three years
ego told him MS his, name was VIM Ford, but witness
Dr. J. Ford Thompson testi1ed that he was
called to see Bumbrey, who had an ulcer Of the
leg, and at witness advice he went to the GARFIELD
Hospital, where the leg was amputated. The ulcer
was OF long standing, but witness could not tell
the origin, save IL was from an injury.
Nathan Beckford testified 70 being the attorney
In the case and he was notified that the af1davits
were not sufficient
Detective Mattingly testified to the arrest; that
Bumbrey said he had expected 1t; that he had
been persuaded into 1t by white men.
This closed the case for the Government, and
the Defendant Bumbrey, took the stand.
he testified that he was now about nifty years
Old. was born slave, came here the frsS year Of
the war, enlisted In 1863 under the name OF Geo
W. Taylor In Co c, ID U. 8. colored troops He
denied that he ever said his name was Ford or
he had been 20 the clerks once and sworn to the
papera He admitted that ne had papers made
out IN the name Of Taylor, but denied any conneC-
ton with the Ford paperR
on cross-examinatt0n witness said he came here
the nrst year o. the wal, taxing the name Of Tay-
listed In 1863, thinks In Capt. LincolnS Company
e; could not r8member the namea OF the other om.
oes q but one Of the men. D36 not rsmember