The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-05
SOUTHERN WAR CLAIMS

They Amount to s600. DOE, 900 and Are In
cressing-MIlions Saved by Republicans.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
NEW CASTLE, Nov. Ain his speech in
this city Jud sc Joseph w. O'Neall. of Ohio.
o one-legRed veteran. spoke of Southern
war claims as follows:
For about eleven months have been en-
ployed as special United States attorney. My
work has been in the States of Alabama, Geor-
witnesses called to establish claims against the
United States, now pending IN the Court of
Claims, and cali aud examine such witnesses
1 may be able to lind and deem advisable,
and make report in each case Two ques-
tons are tried inevery case. first, the loyal
v OF the claimant; second, the mer-
or considered upon agreement. after the loyalty
OF the claimant has been found by the court
The practice, however, is. II a reasonably fair
case OF loyalty be made out. to take the evidence
on both questions.
Since my appointment have been present
and participated in the taking Of testimony in
one hundred and ten cases, aggregating several
hundred thousand dollars Four hundred and
forty five witnesses have been examined and
cross-examined. This. at least in my Judgment,
gives me pretty fair opportunity to judge OF
the merits OF these Southern war claims They
are for stores, forage and supplies taken by the
United States military authorities during the
late war. IL must be borne IN mind that no gov
eminent REIN burses its citizens for depredations
destruction or an unauthorized taking Hence
IL Is aot enough that the loyalty and taking be
established, but Ii must also be shown that the
taking was by authority. or at least in the pres
it seems to be presumed. at least the claimant SO
maintains, TO have been taken by authority. Ii
this cannot be shown, then 1t must be shown
that the property taken was actually used by the
United States army.
want to say, and say II SO that shall not be
misunderstood, that few OF these claims are
meritorious. But in many cases a single chicken
has grown into drove of hogs, a mountain cow
into herd Of cattle. "razor.back' hog into
thousand pounds OF bacon, a few roasting-ears
into hundreds OF bushels Of corn, rail into hum
dreds OF cords OF wood. a sweet potato into thou
sands OF bushels and other things In like proper
ton.
One of the many claims sent me for investiga-
ton was that of the estate or distinguished
citizen OF Lauderdale county, Alabama The
the q local Methodist preacher. a lawyer by
profession and circuit judge of the Northern dis
rrict OF Alabama; that IN 1861 he took strong
grounds against the secession OF Alabama;
that he and another gentleman were the
candidates of the Union party and were elected
as such delegates to the Alabama c0nVen-
ton which passed the ordinance OF secession;
that he voted against the ordinance. but partci-
pated In the deliberations OF the convention alter
IL was passed aid voted for and secured the cleo
ton OF his colleague 10 the rebel Congress after
the convention adjourned he returned nome ana
took a very active part in recruiting soldiers
for the confederate army. hired a band at his
own expense and went about the county making
speeches and recruiting rebel soldiers. IN July,
1861, he announced himself as a candidate for
the rebel Legislature OF Alabama. His son,
rebel soldier being wounded at the first battle or
Bull Run, Va, he found himself unable 10 can
vass the county; having TO go 10 attend MS
son in consequence OF which he issued an
address" 10 the voters Of Lauderdale county.
Alabama, using the following languages: II am
for liberal appropriation or men and money lor
our defense. LET us not be penny wise ana
pound foolish It il a war OF self-defense, OF re-
sistance TO tyranny and oppression on the part or
the south, OF aggression on the part OF the NORTH
At such time no patriot should Ialter our
duty Is plain; our ultimate success certain: our
resources are ample; our soldiers invinciDie
The heirs OF this man ask that be De 1ounu loyai,
and that there be paid TO them the sum or more
than $4,000. on account or stores ana supplies
taken by the United states army during the war.
Another asks that he be found loyal anu 10 Dc
paid -, 703-75 account OF stores and supplies
taken from him during the war. he swears
that he was loyal 20 the United states govern.
ment throughout the war. and that ne at all
times desired the success or the Union army,
and called witnesses 10 establish TINS TACT Inc
testimony discloses that when the war broke
out he was a colonel In the Alabama state mill
tia; that he retained this commission after Ala
bama had scceoed; that. In May, tsoZ. ne Or
dere6 ont his regiment, armed Win snot-
guns, to resist the capture or FLORENCE py TIC
Union forces supported by two gun-ooats. Inc
men declining. he called upon volunteers 10 so
20 Florence and hang man by the name OF
HYDE then confined In the Florence JAIL Oh ac-
count of Union sentiments. .
have mentioned but two or these maniIestIy
and oufrageously fraudulent Claims lhey are
numbered by the thousands- Why DO nention
one OF themf Only because from every stump In
the South we hear demand ana an appear ior
that will be more liberal in its course toward the
people OF the South. and that Will not forever
hold back from them their ..lust' dues, and that
Twill deliver us from the present outrageous rod