Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-31
PENSION LOOTERS.
Hoke Smith Still Pushing His
Dastardly Work.
viciousIy Prosecuting Brave and
Deserving Union Veterans.
comrade Henry 4. rextsr Of Wayne is Among
His latest Victims.

WAYNE, Jan. 30.-tSpscih. Last wee x
one OF the highly esteemed veterans OF this
town, Mr.. Henry A. Dexter, received
commu, ic lticn from tie department OF the
Interior, which read, ia part, as follows:
lyon are informed that the medical evil
dence on file in your case does not show
that YOU are suffering from mental or
physical disability which incapacitates you
from the performance of manual labor in
such a degree as to render you unable to
earn a support 20 as to en.itle you TO
rlting."
Mr.. Dexter is sc years of age and has
been draxipg a pension of s. 90 per month
under the act of June 81. 1890. for a little
over a wear. His last IN. dic4l examination
was before the Lewiston board in NoVem-
Der, 1892.
Mr.. D9xter's record, both military and
civil. Is well known to most of the people OF
Wayne, and is above reproach. He en-
listed in July, 1862, with some other boys
Of Vayne, ~ a recruit for the Eleventh
Maine Regiment and was mustered into the
United States service the l4th day OF Au-
gust follow ing, and about week later was
on his way tn the front where he joined DIS
regiment at Yorktown. Va.
He remained 10 active service until the
close Of the war. He was on duty nearly
all the time and was a fai hful soldier. He
was only 10 the hospital DUNG the whole
term of service one day, and was finally
mustered out at Richmond, Va, June IL,
1866, "by reason of the close of the war"
He returned to his home and went to
work TO ply off the war debt, never asking
for q pension until he met with very Sc
we're acct lent. which ali who are acquainted
with him know has incApacitated him for
manual labor to such degree as to renier
him physically unable to earn livelihood,
II. is, therefore, unquestionabiy entitled to
"ratirg"
The accident referred to happened at
Canton, Me a, ia March, 1886. Mr.. Dexter
was hauling wood across the Androscogein
river with his two-horse team, when the
bridge gave way aud he fell, with his team,
som. 81 feet to the ice below. He was
taken from the debts and borne to house,
where it was found that his left leg was
broken in three places, and the facial bone
crushed 10 Just under the eye, which per-
manently injured the sight.
He was also severely bruised and
wrenched. |. was two weeks before the
attending physician gave any encourage
melt of his ever gettiug about again. After
laying in bed almost helpless nine weeks
his physician told him he might be mo ied
to his home in Wayne, distance of l6
miles il they would be two days in doing 1t.
Mr. ID, x;er went a year on clutches and
for a long tina after with cane, and today
there i, an p:diment in his walk as he
goes about.
The people of this vic nifty are very in
dienant at this vicious and indefensible as
sault upon deserving Union veteran.
They believe that the granting of pensions
to the brave men who fought for the flag
in the dark days Of civil strife should not
be intrusted to rank Southerner of ex-
Confederate symplthies.
Union veterans have grown accustomed
- slurs and abuse from this administra-
ton,