Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-01

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Of them on account OF
services In the late war
deriving from them
allowances running all
the way from 90 rsonth to s5, 900 per annum.
In this category have been numbered the widows
Of four Presidents OF the United States 1t
seems to be considered that $4,000 is a suitable
annuity for the surviving relict Of chief
magistrate Of this nation. The late Mrs. Abra-
ham Lincoln got only So, 900 in 1870 and for a
considerable subsequent period. but in 1882 her
annual stipend was raised by the government
to $4,000.
The widow Of John Tyler up to the time of
her death. in 1889, drew $1,000 year from
Uncle Sans exchequer. Mrs James X. Polk,
who died a year ago. got a like amount. Mrs.
Ulysses 5. Grant receives $1,000 per annum.
The life partner of James A. Garfield was left
at his death In better circumstances than were
enjoyed by any Of the other ladies mentioned
All the same she finds it comfort to receive
regular $4,000 per annum from the funds in
the treasury. Mrs. Lincoln's original allow
ance of 50. 200 was the highest special pension
granted up to 1870 Before that date the big
gest stipend awarded on account Of services in
the late war was $50 month.
THE FIRST SPECIAL PENSION.
The first special pension allowed on this ac-
count was granted July IL, 1862, to the widow
of Gen. Charles F. Smith. 1t was $50 month
Subsequently, however, more generous annui-
ties were given to the widows Of a number Of
officers of the army and navy The largest
allowance. after those of $4,000 each already
mentioned. is drawn by the widow Of the late
Admiral David ID. Porter. 1t is 90, 500 per
gut was set at $4,000. while the widows o. Ad-
mlrals Charles r. Wilkes, C. NJ. McDougal and
]. ". Nicholson received only $1,000 year.
Pensions Of 90 900 per annum were granted by
Congress to the widows of Gems. George H.
Thomas, W. S. Hancock, John A. Logan, Frank
p. Blair. Philip II. Sheridan, George Crook,
George b. Mcclellan and John C. Fremont.
Congress has allowed Z 200 per annum to
the widows of Generals Silas Casey, James A.
Mower. George l. Stannard, John F. Hart
ranft, Samuel P. Heintzelman. G.. K. Warren,
james Shields. Robert Anderson, James B.
Ricketts,, Lowell II. Rousseau. Walter c.
Whitaker and George A. Custer. To the
widows of two colonies Fletcher Webster and
Henry ID. Wallen-S1. 200 a year has been
granted. These are all of the special pensions
which exceed 5000. The latter amount was
awarded AZ an annuity to the widows of
Generals Williams ]. Worth. E. o. C. Ord and
Robert II. Miiroy and Col r. B. Ayres. In
addition to the above nearly 200 widows of
officers of all grades, from major general and
admiral down. have become entitled to $50
month by legislation for their private benefit.
In addition to the allowances made for the
relief Of individual widows Congress has
granted special pensions to good many dis
abled officers and soldiers, in recompense for
exceptional services performed. The highest
annuity given in this way is 81 200 a year.
This amount was settled upon Gems. James
Shields, Franz Sigel, n. p Banks, Abram Dur
yao Roma op1A al.
upon Col. Joseph ]. Bartlett, Col. Samuel W.
Price. Lieut.. Col. John C. Black. Private John
W. January, Private Benjamin Franklin. Private
Thomas Riley and Bugler Elmer A. Snow. All
others placed by special acts on the invalid
pension roll rated according to their dis
abilities under the general pension laws.
SOME ODD DISABILITIES
Some of the disabilities for which these
special pensions have been allowed were in
Cured in rather odd ways. For example.
Private Thomas Riley receives 300 month
for the loss Of both hands. Early in the morn
ing of November II. 1874. he was on mis- wav
from the infantry barracks at Fort Lincoln,
OAK. to his company's quarters. A terrific
storm of snow and sleet sweeping across
the prairie, and it was intensely cold Blinded
and unable to find his path he lost his way and
was swept into a ravine. There he lay for
several hours. When he was rescued both
hands were so badly frozen that they had to be
amputated.
The case of Private BENJAMIN Franklin ia a
cause celebre in the annals of the pension
bureau He lost both arms and both legs by
freezing. ACCOMMODATING each special act OF
Congress in cases of this sort is a!way n report
stating the reasons for recommending its pass
age. Many of these reports are very interest,"
ing. For example. the widow of Christonber
A. Haun receives 80 per month. 1t isrecorded
that her husbands rather unusual title was that
r -
OF bridge burner. lie was engaged by the
i ieueral aulnori.es III tle autumn OF 1901 10
EoIt Tonnossoo ID v;rn;s,;a u,unn.a ~ II. VIC
a stalyart mountaineer and did his work well,
but, unfortunately. he was captured by the con-
federates while running away from a bridge he
had helped to fire and he was promptly
hanged.
or late years Congress has adopted the custom
Of making special allowances of money for the
widows of Representatives and Senators who
died in harness. In most cases years salary
is granted, while in other Instances sum equal
to the pay for the balance Of an unexpired term
is given.
For example, the last general deficiency bill
gave S2,63S to the widow OF John G. Warwick.
member from Ohio; also 81. 1888 to the widow o.
Alexander X. Craig, member from Pennsyl
vania, and S2,76S to the widow of Edward F.
Mcdonald, member from New Jersey. The
last sundry civil bill granted $4,000 to the
widow Of Senator Gibson OF Louisiana. and a