The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-09
GEORGE BENIsKL
Continual Reminders of tho Presidents
Substitute In the War.

Continual Reminders of the Presidents
Substitute In the War.
The latest reminder of President C1eveland's
bood-chilling experience during the wsr 10 an
article in the Steuben Courier, published at
Bath, ". Y. 1t says that President Cleveland
is absolutely without a record as Union man
during the war; that it cannot be shown that
he ever attended a Union meeting or expressed
q particle of Sympathy for the Union cause or
contributed q dollar; that his only act du ring
the rebellion which had any connection with
that struggle was when he was drafted end
hired substitute to do his fighting for him;
that this mans name was George Beniski, ann
that, after living in q number OF poor-houses, he
finally died in the Bath Soldiers Home The
official records 1t the home show that George
Beniski was native Of Poland, and sailor
by occupation; that he enlisted at Buffalo, Aug.
5, 1868, as n substitute in Company f, Seventy
sixth New York Volunteers; that be was dis
charged Aug. III, 1865, at Elmira, ADD that he
was admitted TO the home Oct 5, 1886. AT that
time he was suffering from incipient consump-
ton. and was wholly unable to earn his living
by manual labor He died of consumption In
the Soldiers Home hospital, Aug. Is, 1887, and
was buried in the cemetery of the home at pub
lie expense. The number of his grave is 3S5.
The editor of the Courier recalls that he bad
an interview with George BeEIsk shortly be-
fore the Polish sailor died. ''It is time he
said, ''for the old soldiers to know how the
President treated me. He let go around
from one poor-house to another, and now here
am all broken down and dying In the hospital
and he won't lift hand TO help me, aud be-
President of the United States. I'm going to
tell what be has done.
Captain Rhinehart Of police station No. asked
me to 60 as substitute for Grover Cleveland,
who Dad been drafted, and we went up to Cleve-
lands Office to see about 1t. Cleveland had only
$50, and / think be borrowed that OF CAPTAIN
Rhinehsrt, but he said he would help me more
after got out l knew that the bounty then
was $500, but | told him that If he would get an
ONCE or something for Captain Rhinehart, and
help me II came out alive, would go Tor bin.
This he agreed TO. Afterward'I sworn in
by Squire Ryan. I got the $50 then. Mr..
Cleveland, Captain Rhinehart and went TO
Fort Parker for me TO be mustered in"
~ saw him in Buffalo" Beniski went on, Sin
1885, the day that Governor Hill was elected.
had lost ry discharge paper and L bad been
around few days to get proof that | was tho
man who went as Clevelsnds Substitute. There
were plenty Of them could identify me. Fred
Busch, keeper Of the poor-honse, could do il for
me, and there are the records to show it. had
a letter to Mr. Cleveland about my case and
went TO mis- Office. where Mr.. Bissell is, to givet
to shim. There was a crowd standing around
him in the front Office. He cav me and
recognized me. He stepped up and took me by
the hand and said: Come George ard brought
gentlemen. 10 the man who fought for me IN the
war Then he made me sit down, and the letter
was left lying on the table. Alter while he
came UP and pot his hand on my shoulder and
said: We'll. George. how are your told him
that was all used up: that my health was all
gone, and that I didn't have anything oh.
pshsw, that isn't So he said. Then he asked
me what he could do for me, and told him that
/ was poor and had no home. and was not able
to work. Then he went into another room, and
| did not see any more OF him."
Then the substitute told about his efforts to
hear by writing to Washington what could be
done for him. II had two Of three letters writ
ten for me- he said. land never heard any
thing from him except that Lamont sent notice
that letter had been received. wanted to 60
to Fort Leavenworth for my health, and / had
money and had lost ell my citizens clothes.
but Mr.. Cleveland wouldn't help me tall Then
| wrote to see If he wouldn't try to get me a
pension put in my application year ago,
and Major Campbell, of Bath, is trying IN get a
pension for me- think ought TO have that.
any way. / wrote to General Black and ne sent
me q blank of some kind to Eli out, and that's
the way Ii stands"