The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-20
THE PENSION FRAUDS.
what MIR. Maxwell Says About the Cases.
More Arrests.

NORFOLK. VA. May 19-special.-
Upon warrants sworn out by the Cow
eminent detectives. Deputy Marshal
Cross arrested Mrs Jerome Etheridge
and Dr. Perkins. Of Princess Anne county,
also three negroes, charged with violating
the pension laws.
Mrs Etheridge was very sick and gave
bond for her appearance when desired.
The negroes were locked up I'm Jail. not
being able 20 give the required bond
II is understood that Mrs. Etheridge.
who was one Of the first ladies' i'm the
county. claims that If there has been
any violation Of the law on her part.
# was through ignorance. and not from
a desire 10 make money, as she was act
ing for the petitioners, not as an attor-
ney. and received no compensation. but
filed the papers as a matter Of accommo-
dalton for the negroes. who lived in the
vicinity Of her residence
The charges against Or. Perkins are
that he made certain statements which
were not true. and that upon his ccrtif-
Gates improper persons received money
These charges Or. Perkins denies.
There are at present at work upon
pension cases Mr.. Maxwell who has
been engaged I'm the business for nine
years, and seven experienced detectives
They have rooms in the Luneaburg build
ing. and this morning when The Times
correspondent called for an interview
had before them several bushels of pa
pers. into which they were nosing.
Mr. Maxwell said that he had no infor-
nation TO give further than 10 say that
the newspapers were at sea, and knew
very little about the alleged pension
frauds. He stated that the officials az
Washington let them know as little as
possible. That they sent him papers 10
Investigate, and that he investigated
them. AS fast as lie completed JOB
the evidence was Transmitted TO Wash
ington and warrants sworn out for the
offenders.
The Government has been for the last
two years drawing the net around the
pension sharks, and this is simply the
elimination.
Soon after Attorney Drury was debarred
prom practicing as a pension attorney
Mrs. Belva Lockwood came to Norfolk
and opened an office i'm a shanty on upper
Church street. She did rafting bust
ness for a time, but soon shook the aust
Of Norfolk from her heels, and returned
10 Washington. Mr.. Drury al one time
IT Is said. did some work I'm Norfolk for
Mrs. Lockwood, but so far as can be
learned all Of her cases will pass muster.
Mr.. Maxwell said that while here she
was acting for herself; that ne called TO
see her while she had an Office on Church
street.
1t is believed that the frauds here can
be counted by the hundreds and that
the Drury expose IS just the beginning.
Chief Detective Maxwell is one If
the best I'm the employ of the Government.
lie is a man about fifty years of age,
and would pass for a well-kept merchant
no O. cd
as being a detective. He has been en-
gagged most of the time during the past
decade around Norfolk, and knows the
record of every negro pensioner i'm the
CITY. lie makes few mistakes, and. like
Tom Scotts coon, the violator of Uncle
Sans law comes down whenever he
points his gun.
The United States grand jury has adj
iourned for the term. and when it is
called together again i'm July the invcsti-
cation will be well advanced. and there
viii be startling developments.