Los Angeles herald., 1892-09-15
CRUELTY TURNED AWAY.
THE PATHETIC RECITAL OF A
CALIFORNIA VETERAN.
He Claims to Have Been Disseminated
Against by Governor Treichel-Is
in Dire Want-WilI Try to
Walk to San Francisco.

He hobbled into the reporters room
in the HERALD Office, and said that his
name was David J. Moore; and that he
was born in Lockport, Niagara county,
New York, in 1925, which makes him 81
years of age. He carried long and
heavy staff, and walked with some diff
Guilty. He said that in 1861, he en-
listed in the California volunteers and
was assigned to duty in Company D, of
the First battalion of California Noun
taineers, commanded by Col. Stephen
G. Whipple, now retired from the SER
vice. Moore tells the following pathetic
story:
81 cannot walk over two miles with
out rest, nor can stand any great
length OF time to do manual work. NV
head has never aided me in earning a
livelihood, like some other men; and
my only way of getting living has
been with my hands, and the toughest
kind of labor at that. have had both
legs injured, the right by the kick of a
mule before went into the service, and
l was shot in the left ankle by Indians
while doing duty in the mountains"
Moore says he was an inmate of the
Soldiers home, at Santa Monica, in
lS89-90, for a term of seven months !;
that an investigation of the conduct of
the home was had during that time !;
that he testified in favor of the prosecu-
ton of the case, as he felt bound to do !;
and that Governor Treichel became 80
exasperated at him for having testified
against him, that he ordered him away
from the institution at once.
For the last two years the old man
has had precarious existence in San
Francisco, living at the almshouse and
picking up stray dollar occasionally
from some old Humboldter who has
been more fortunate than himself. One
day last week an old comrade in the
mountaineers ran across him at the
almshouse and said:
"Why, Moore. this is no place for
you to be; you should be at Santa Mon
lea. The government pays for such as
you to be kept free from the pangs of
poverty. will write in your behalf at
once" M
He did so, and the return of post
brought him pass for Moore to come
to Santa Monica. The old mans heart
beat aloud for Joy, for he pictured to
himself new life in the remnant left of
the old one. The Santa Rosa landed
the old cripple at Redondo, whence he
made his way safely to the home. The
governor was not in his Office when he
arrived, so he made the best of his way
to the surgeons Office. That gentleman
(Dr. Hassey) passed him in as correct,
and then he came before the governor,
who, he says, greeted him as follows:
'''Jesus Christ Are you here again
How did you get here?'
~ came, sir, on transportation or
der, signed by YOURSELF
swell, never dreamed it was you, or
you wouldn't be here now."
Moore then left the home and came
up to town, where he saw Captain Bar
rett, who wrote Governor Treichel let
ter and gave it to Moore to take back.
He did go, and was rejected second
time. The aged cripple told the rest o
his pathetic story, as follows:
81 was very hungry, and went dowr
\ to the kitchen to get something to eat
| I was told to go to the sergeant major
He said be could not pass me in, and
would have to crowd in with the rest
I did not get any supper, and that nigh
1 slept out Of doors. I am going te
San Francisco afoot now, and it's an
even bet don't get across the desert
/ went to the supervisors for an order tc
the poor house, but they said they hat
already more strangers on hand thar
they could feed; so I'm going back t.
Frisco, provided / don't die on th'
road"
The HERALD gives this story in th'
old mans words. Whatever may be thu
other side of the affair, it will not excuse
the injustice done this old soldier. M
matter how he may have offended Gov
ernor Treichel, he should be cared for
and kept from hunger and exposure
If there is any plausible explanation
this seemingly harsh treatment, tn
Soldiers home authorities should max
it known.
1t Is Not What We Say
a. T.