The Iola register., 1891-10-09
THE oKossoN CASE.
Tne Facts Show that the Pension ONCE Ia
Not at Feult-What MT. Raum
Has to Say.
from Chanute vidette. !

at Winfield, the Non-C Conformist, con-
tanned an infamous cartoon labeled,
''Republicanism for the Old Soldier"
This cartoon pretended to represent
upon the one hand a mar respectfully
clothed and supposed to be occupying
bank. under it thief ollowing: John J.
Stewart, Fort Scott, Kans., president OF
the Fort Scott State Bank, and Repub-
lican politician. Pension sl2 per
month obtained under the disability
act" In contrast with this is given
crippled soldier dressed in rags, sup
ported by crutches, with both legs of
at the knee and under this pitiable OBJ
ject, "Jesse Crosson, Hammond, Kans.,
broom maker and an alliance man. Ex-
treme poverty has compelled him to
make application for admission TO the
soldiers home, pension 81 per month.
We clipped the cartoon and enclosed 1t
with a request to the Hon. Commission
er of Pensions that he examine into
these cases and send the facts in regard
to this alliance wall OF woe for publica-
tion and the following is the reply OF
the commissioner:
G NJ. Dewey Esq. Editor Vidette-
Times, Chanute, Kansas.
DEAR SIR: acknowledge receipt OF
your letter OF the 14th instant, iIclos-
ing me cartoon clipped from the Nom
conformist, giving representation OF
John J. Stewart, OF Fort Scott, Kansas,
and Jesse Crosson, and Hammond,
Kansas.
1 note your request in regard to the
history OF the pension claims OF these
two men. In reply have to inform
you, that l have carefully examined
the papers in these two cases. John j.
Stewart'was private in Co A 9th Kan
sas Volunteer infantry. He was PEN
stoned April 18th, 1891, at Sl2 per
month. under the act of June 9th, 1890.
The disabilities alleged and proved,
are eczema of the face and anchylosis
of the left knee, the medical certificate
showing that the left leg is crooked,
that the left knee is stiff, and that the
claimant uses a cane in walking. The
fact that Mr.. Stewart has the mental
capacity to earn a living by other
means than manual labor, is no bar
under said law to his right to peusiOn,
where proof Of service is made, and the
existence of pensionable disability.
Jesse Crosson was private in Com
pany T. 18th Ills, Volunteer infantry.
The papers in his case show that he
applied for pension August 8, 1866,
alleging that because of his capture,
and confinement in a rebel prison, he
was attacked with scurvy, and as re-
suit he lost nearly all his teeth, and
was compelled to have both of his legs
amputated. His military history, as
shown by the rolls in the war depart
ment, established the fact that the claim
ant was missing in action" at Sabine
Cross Roads, La. April 9, 1863: that he
was paroled at the mouth of Red River
May q, 1866: reported at the Benton
barracks, Mo-, June Il, 1865, and sent
to chief mastering officer at Springfield
June 16, 1865. mo evidence of med
ical treatment or disability of record,
and no evidence that he lost both his
legs in the service"
4 great amount of evidence was pro-
duced in this case to establish the exact
state of facts in regard to Mr.. Cos
sons disability. The fact that there
Mr.. Crosson's at the time of his dis
charge, and no record made upon the
rolls of his alleged condition, made it
necessary that he should establish
these disabilities by competent
proof. The evidence shows that
Mr.. Crosson lived in Fulton county
on COppers creek, and that on the 18th
of january, 1866, several physicians
were called into examine him, ana they
found that modification had set in on
both of his feet as high as the ankles.
The testimony OF DR.. Richard G
Charlton OF Pekin, H.. is to the effect
that the cause OF his condition was that
CrOssou had been exposed to extreme
cold and that as q result both his feet
were frozen up to his ankles, and at the
time he saw him they were as black as
coal. There are statements of other
competent persons, including J. NJ.
Bolton, postmaster at Glasford, H.,
who says that he knew CrOsson, and
that he had always heard that he lost
his legs by having them frozen when he
was crossing Coppers creek
On the 10th of September, 1890, Mr..
Crosson's claim Was made special, upon
the application OF Senator Ingalls,, the
representation being that claimant was
about to die.
The office finally came to the conclu-
sion that, while Mr.. CroSSOn estab-
lished the fact, by reliable testimony.
that he had suffered from scurvy while
in the service and had lost most of his
teeth thereby, it was not the cause OF
the loss OF his legs; so he was pensioned
from the date of discharge for disability
from scurvy.
The cause of delay in the disposing of
this case. have no doubt, resulted
from wish to give Mr.. Crossou every
oppontunity to establish his claim that
the loss Of his feet was oecasioned by
scurvy.
The picture of Mr.. Crosson, as well
as the testimony in the case, shows,
conclusively, that he has been very
unfortunate man, and is entitled to a
great deal of sympathy; but upon ex-
animation of the evidence on file at the
time of the allowance of his claim, |
think the action of the Office was entire
ly correct in not granting him a pen
sion for the loss of his feet. Some adj
dItional evidence, however, has been
filed since that date, which will be
hereafter considered.
Since the allowance of the claim un-
der the old law, Mr.. CroSSon has filed
an application under the act Of June ~.
1890, which has also been made special,
and will be disposed OF in short time.
IL,