The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-03-27
HOW he WORKED IT.
From the New York Herald.

From the New York Herald.
In the spring of 1862 Jackson Ford en-
listed in an Iowa regiment, then in camp
at Keokuk. Ford obtained permission
to remain at home until the regiment
was ordered to the front. Upon receiv-
ing orders to rejoin his command he
walked to Keokuk. In crossing stream
he slipped off a log into the water. He
contracted cold, was sent to the hos
pital, and his regiment went south with
out him. Becoming better he was given
a sick leave and returned to his home,
where he remained several weeks. Re-
turning to Keokuk he reported at the
hospital and in few days contracted
the measles and afterward fever He
remained in the hospital so long that
bed sore formed on his left hip. A few
weeks later rheumatism developed and
he was granted a discharge because of
that maady. He returned home and
applied for pension. The Office allowed
given increases at Sc, So, S12, S1S, and
S24 a month, the applications following
as rapidly as each preceding request was
granted.
But this wasn't enough. He wanted
more money, and, as you will see, he got
it. In order to 80 this he invoked the
aid of the president of the board of
Local Surgeons, who was his business
partner. The board reported that
Ford'5 rheumatism had resulted in
chronic inflammation Of the hip joint,
and an increase to $50 a month was given
to him. But he was still unsatisfied,
and through the assistance of his medi-
cal partner he was given further in
crease TO S36.
This was the limit of what he could
obtain, unless it were shown that his
condition was such az to require an at
tention. Testimony was forwarded to
the pension Office alleging that his vari-
Gus ailments had resulted in an affection
of the brain. When the board examined
him at his residence they found him in
sane and so reported 10 the pension
office. The case was also reported to
the county board of lunacy, who, after
an investigation, declared Ford insane.
He was sent to the asylum at Mount
Pleasant, Ia. where he remained three
months, when he was pronounced cured
and discharged. In the meantime his
pension had been increased to $50 a
month and his wife was appointed his
guardian.
Finally row sprang up between Ford
and his wife, and Ford removed 10 Be
lott, Kan, where his son resided. While
there he wrote the pension Office that be
was tired of having guardian, that he
was not insane, and that he wanted the
pension sent directly TO himself.
The case was referred to special ex-
aminer, who found Ford in Wallace.
Kan. where be owned restaurant. The
examiner addressed letter TO him at the
postoffice asking that he call at the ho-
tel, watched him receive il, and followed
him until he saw him re-enter his res
taurant Ford on his way 10 the post
office walked without cane, and step
ped as briskly as the average man OF %
years. Returning 10 his hotel the exam
iner was shortly surprised to hear Grip
pie with crutch and cane slowly making
ms way to ms room. Upon entering
Ford appeared bent nearly double with
pain, but after q careful examination he
was induced II the presence of witnesses
TO give history of his case as Is here re-
corded. Upon the report OF the exam
liner Eord's pension was decreased 10 SO,
which sum he Is still drawing from the
notwithstanding he never
performed days service He has bcen
paid. u round tizpres. sa.ssa