Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-10
How Pension Examiner Davis Broke
Upa Clearfield Preachers Little
Game of EXtortion.
A WEDDING THAT DIDN'T COME OFF.
One Of the Jokes on James Whitcomb Riley
That Reverted on the Man
Who Tells Il.
SOME GREAT BATHING IN SALT LAKE.
Peculiar and Laughable Blunder Of Kear-sighted
Insurance Agent

Pension Examiner Davis, who is located
in the Government building, is man who
has some rather peculiar experiences. The
other day he told this story:
''Some years ago 1 called on a Clesrf eld
editor. an old friend. When 1 was about to
90 he asked me if there were any other PEN
sion examiners in that section. I answered
that was the only man who had right to
represent q ncle Sam in the territory.
"'Well, he said, there is another here,
an old Winebrennarian preacher
81 concluded to look up the minister and
his record. 1 soon discovered that he was
in the habit of going to widows who were
receiving pensions, and claiming that he
understood they had secured them through
fraud, and he was sent by the Government
to investigate their cases. He usually con-
cluded the transaction by extorting money
from the scared women. 1 telegrsphed to
Pittsburg for instructions but they wired
me there was no law covering such cases,
but that should publicly expose him as I
knew how to do. This L did.
THE PLAN UNFoLDED.
"Going 10 one of the victims, 1 said IL
was necessary for me to have her testimony
in the next town, but as she was 8 cripple,
told her the daughter, pretty girl, who
was acquainted with the facts, would do as
well. The girl and 1 got into sleigh, and
then 1 unfolded my plan. / began by
saying that she had her part to perform in a
little drama, and 1 was to play Benedict
and she the intended bride. She objected
at first, but 1 assured her the ceremony
would never be performed, and she finally
consented.
ARRIVED in the town where the preacher
lived we registered at the leading hotel, and
l confded the fact to the landlord that
minister was desired, and discreet one 1T
that He named over several, but not the
man 1 wanted
"'Are there no others p I asked. After
thinking a minute he spoke of the old
Winebrennarisn, and at once said that min
lister would be desirable. The landlord sent
for him and then did what expected he
would-notify the neighborhood-and big
crowd gathered to see the ceremony. This
was what 1 desired.
ARRIVAL OF THF PREACHER,
''Soon the old preacher arrived, and I
met him in the hallway where the people
NOIC oOduuluB dIOuuus was SldQ 70 see
him, and understood he was very discreet
man. The old fellow wore his long coat,
and had his Bible in his hand.
'WLere is the bride, be asked.
"Ah, she is preparing her toilet, and will
soon be ready. BY the way 1 began,
while we are waiting, understand YOU are
a pension examiner, and as my brother
is trying to get pension, possi-
bly, you can help him. He as
sured me he was a regularly |
appointed agent, and had his authority at
home. 1 then questioned him closely, and
the crowd was becoming interested. 1 in
sisted on seeing his commission, and be
finally braced up and said that didn't
think for one minute that minister of the
gospel would jeOpardize his reputation in
community by doing crooked things. Then
/ let loose on him, and the old man became
thoroughly frightened. The girl, who was
posted, made a strong appeal for him, and
after had read the riot act as 1 never had
before, 1 decided to let him 60. He promised
to cease his operations, and haven't heard
Of him as pension examiner since"