The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-05-17
CAPT McGRAW'S DISCHARGE.

We have taken some pains to ascertain
the facts with reference to Capt. Nc
Graw's discharge from the military
service of the state, references to which
were made in yesterdays st. Paul
papers.
1t seems that some time ago Capt.
McGraw having determined to remove
from the state, rendered his resignation
as Captain Of Co. F, and as usual in such
cases the Captain was called upon to
account for the state property IN his
hands, to WIT: The guns and munitions
of war, etc, with which the company is
equipped. BY comparing the amount
on hand with the Captains last prop
erty report, a shortage of some S~or
guns, number of haver-sacks, canteens,
bayonet scabbards, belts ETC., was found
to exist.
That is, these articles could not all be
found. The Adiutant General made up
a statement of the same and inventoried
the same at full price for new articles of
the sane kind, and the bill footed up
trihe over $500, and this bill confronted
Capt McGTaw as an impediment to his
resignation being accepted. The Captain
caused search to be made, but none of
the missing articles could be found.
The guns and other accoutrements
have sometimes been taken home by
members of the company for cleaning
or other purpose, and sometimes bor-
rowed for some entertainment or other.
And the personnel of the company chang
ing constantly il is not strange that
come these articles were lost.
Again, il is learned that at one time
during Capt. McGraw's term of Office
the gun case in the City Hall, in which
these things were kept, was once broken
open by some one and it is thought
some things we're taken then.
1t has always been matter OF great
care and trouble on the part of the Cap
tains of this company to keep the state
property from straying away,
There are few old articles in the list
that we are informed have scarcely been
seen since the first organization OF the
company III the shape of nom commls-
stoned officers swords, screw drivers,
wipers. etc., amounting to about $500,
as per the inventory, but which, in fact,
were yalueless.
The missing guns were of the old make
and of kind since gone out of use, and
exchanged for new ones. They were
twice condemned by the Inspector
General as unfit for service.
The whole value Of the stuff is very
small, but it has cost Capt. McGraw
dismissal from the serAiee instead of the
scceptance of his resienation.
Capt. McGraw and the men under
him are not entirely free, from blame as
closer watch should have been kept on
the property and more vigorous en-
forcement of discipline been in vogue,
but it must not be forgotten that these
companies are volunteer companies and
that the service is an expense to both
| officers and men and especially to the
commanding officers, and that the vigor
| of discipline in force in the regular army
cannot be maintained. 1t is also due to
Capt. McGraw to say that prior to de-
parture he went down to st. Paul and
saw the Adlutant General and Colonel
of the Regiment and explained the
matter and came home with the under
standing that he would be released from
liability but instead an offer was in a day
or two thereafter sent to him that he
could settle the bill for 500.
He did not do so but through Col.
Mead, the ranking officer of the Nation
al Guard at this place, forwarded an
offer to give the state $50, but by reason
of absence OF the officers from st. Paul.
being in attendance at the Washington
Celebration In New York, no answer
was received before Capt. McGraw went
away.
| We make this extended statement so
that no injustice will be done and to lay
the whole matter before our readers.