The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-01
Mrs. Mary B. Kirby's Pension

Mrs. Mary B. Kirby's Pension.
The Washington correspondent of the
Richmond Dispatch, under date of Feb.
25th, refers to the passage of bill grant
ing pens ion to Mrs Mary B. Kirby,
mother of Judge Kirby, of Nelson, as
follows. The arrears feature of the bill,
had to be abandoned. in order to secure
consideration this session. although JUS
tice would have demanded its retention:
Representative Yost made his maiden speech
in the House to- day on the bill to grant a pen
sion of $50 per month to Mrs, Mary b. Kirby
widow of the late Major Reynold Marvin Kirby
1t was good speech in a good cause, short and,
as the result proved, effective. Mrs kirby
who L am informed is a Richmond lady, is now
seventy-seven years of age, and for forty-six
years has been entitled to pension which she
has never received. Her husband was one of
the most distinguished officers of his rank in
the United States army, which he entered in
1872, serving until his death in 1872 The Com
mittee in their report say: sit is in evidence
that Major Kirby participated in many engage
ments which shed lustre upon his charater as q
brave and gallant soldier, among which were
the battle near Corn WALL Canada, the battle of
Chippewa. the battle of Lundy's Lane, and the
siege of Fort Erie, where, as aid to General
Ripley, he received him in his arms when he
fell wounded. He was twice breveted for gall
liant services in that siege. He also commanded
the United States troops sent from Fortress
Monroe to suppress the Nat. Turner Instruction
in Southampton county in 1882, and in the same
year was with General Scott in Charleston, S,
c., in defence of the Government during the
,,,,l ion IN
actively engaged in the Florida war with the
Seminole Indians, during which service he
contracted the disease which terminated his
life'' From various causes-death of her attor-
neys loss of papers, &c.-Mrs. Kirby has failed
heretofore to receive pension under the laws
that at the time authorized it. and it is neces-
sary TO pass special act in her favor. This is
generally q difficult matter. but Mr.. Yost to-
day succeeded in getting the unanimous con-
sent of the House for its consideration There
was good cal of opposition to the bill, but
Mr. Wise and Mr.. O'Ferrall came to the assis-
lance of Mr.. Yost, and persuaded their Demo-
cratic friends to vote for it's
New York Suns Washington cores
pondent:-Th youngest looking man in
the House, and one of the very smallest
physically, is Mr.. Yost, Republican
member from Virginia. He jumped into
the arena of debate for the first time to-
day, and showed that he was capable of
making good fight to carry point. He
Lad a bill to pay a pension of $50 per
month, with arrears from 1878, to the
widow of Major Ralph Kirby, hero of
the Florida and other wars, who died
more than forty years ago. Some of the
members attacked the bill. and many of
them crowded down into the area in front
af the Speakers desk, and began a cross
fire debate. Mr. Yost took hand in it,
and made lively little five minutes speech.
1t made many friends for his BILL which
he carried BY a good majority. Mr.. Yost
claimed that the Government is indebted
to Mrs Kirby in the sum of $4,000, but
that. as she was IS years Of age. and near
ing her grave he was willing that the pen
sion should be allowed in lieu of what was
rightfully due her. AS the small, slender.
salow faced VirginIan stood among the
group of members talking fearessly and
well, be received hearty applause, and
when the vote was taken, it was fonnd
that be had won.