The Washington times., 1894-11-04
Many Curious Attempts Made to De-
fraud the Government.
TRICKS OF CLEVER CRIMINALS
Attorneys Who Charge Excessive Fees and
Frauds Who Impersonate Pensioners
Remarkable Careers of Crooks with Whom
the Pension Bureau Officials Have to Deal.
WRITTEN EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE r1mEs.l

million claims 1led before II some Dear the
faint of crime. was talking recently with
one connected with its criminal affairs, and
was not little surprised at the extent and
variety of crimes perpetrated in connection
with the pension business.
"We have had busy year. said he, Sin
making up cases for the courts. with fine sue
cess in landing our fish. Many convictions
have been secured and large number OF in
dictments stand over for future trial. The
mills Of the gods have been grinding exceed
ingly fine during the past year. There has
been large grist-Norfolk, Baltimore, Chat
tanooga, Nashville, Vicksburg, New Orleans.
and various other places east and west have
contributed to the doomsday record.
"If anybody tells you this administration
winks at crime, just take that statement with
a large grain OF allowance. 1t seems to have
become fashionable to deery the Pension Bu-
reau, but if the outside world could know
the inside history OF the determined effort to
raid the Treasury, and of the faithful and
painstaking work OF the Pension Ofice to up
hold the law and purify the atmosphere, the
public, and especially the genuine old soldier,
would recognize the Bureau as u real friend
"Ihe ofenses are OF various kinds, from
the post-dating OF vouchers to forgeries
pure and simple. OF course these convic-
tions represent but part of the criminal
charges investigated, but we use a wise dis
cretion in the matter aiming to prosecute
when necessary, but never to persecute. l
use the latter word adylsedly, because fire.
quently, while there is a technical violation
OF the law, attendant circumstances preclude
the thought of criminal intent. Yet crime ex-
lists in connection with this business. and you
would be surprised at the character OF some
OF the persons implicated
whats that, many attorneys prosecuted?
Well. for while there was falling of of
that kind Of business. but of late it is looking
up considerably. You know the statute fixes
the fees, which in no case exceed S25, and to
contract for, demand. or receive a greater
sum, either directly or indirectly, is an Of
Tense on the part Of any person instrumental
in the prosecution of the claim.
This 'instrumentali;y' has been fully de-
fined by the courts, and it catches many who
think that since they are not attorneys ofrec-
ord in the claim they can charge such fees as
they like. In such cases the charge depends
upon the conscience of the person and the
size OF the stake, varying from $50 to $1,000
But they are learning. by painfully convincing
lessons, that their sins Will find them out.
MANY resort to indirect methods to secure
excessive fees. Sometimes IL is in the shape
Of a present to the attorney, or TO his WIFE
and they are surprised to hear that they are
forbidden to accept such presents; and yet
the courts have declared that no ingenuity of
the person can avail TO outwit the law. Some-s
times excess is represented by All eXtortionale
price for piece of land either worthless or
of moderate value. Indeed, many shifts are
resorted TO; and recolect one case in which
the pensioner presented the attorney with a
6na loaf aal-a which had haI-
within it, 500 in Treasury notes.
''Oh, yes; every grade Of criminal OCCASION
ally tries his hand. Now here said he, lay
ing his hand upon the "rogues' gallery" ARE
faces that present fairly opposite extremes.
Here, for instance. is the face of man upon
which nature mas laid the sign OF warning;
Yet mark his melancholy eyes. That man Is
one of the most unblushing and dangerous OF
his class. We may say he is an artist in his
line. His forte is playing the special exam
iner racket, whereby he plumbers his victims
remorselessly.
His history is eventful After killing a
man in New York, he came to Washington
during the war as a card sharp, and he soon
took TO his present line OF WORK as more gem
teel and profitable We will calk him Capt.
Jinks, though he has more aliases than you
can shake a stick at. He has managed 10
win the affections of not less than eight sus-
ceptible danes and damsels, and having OBJ
AdlLtu lnelr money, lblL Ilsin 10 sllit Tor
themselves. In one case he induced his vic
tim to sell her farm and at Chicago, having
obtained the money for safer care, ne walked
of and left her roaming the streets. searching
for the missing husband whom she suspected
was victim OF foul play
His favorite role is that of preacher, and
when last arrested he had preached a most
melting and powerful sermon at camp
meeting. He hated captivity, and made
desperate use of his pistol, but he had to
yield. We have caged him five different
times, and be is still doing time in certain
penitentiary.
Recently one of his ilk was arrested. He
had just completed a term in the penitentiary,
and walked out with his nostrils dilated with
the feeling of freedom. But he walked right
straight into the arms of deputy marshal,
who was waiting with writ to take him into
another State, where he is indicted for like
offense.
Look at this brawny athlete See what
neck he has. Observe his long flowing name.
4 typical frontiersman. This is Buckskin
Joe. who is serving time for a like offense.
Notice this one. He wears the neat uniform
OF an Army officer, and with his sword and
decorations makes an imposing appearance.
Yet he is daring and dangerous man.
I'm the course of our work we have found
nine Of his wives a veritable Bluebeard He
had in his possession genuine letters from
SeVcTdi OF the -1TeSlQelIS ana other leading
men, showing that a real acquaintance ex-
listed. He is sharp as tack and as cool as a
veteran, but we have him hard in Western
penitentary on ten-years term. What for?
Why, for systematic and adroit forgeries in
pension claims.
Look at these two picture. Now any man
would say one was bishop and the other
circuit rider; yet they are among the most
successful operators we have had to deal
with. There were originally three brothers
of them, but one has died. They began op-
erations about 1868 in q Western city. Their
particular racket was to find the names of
widow pensioners, and continue by false rep
reservations, perjury, and forgery to draw the
pension with commendable regularity; or in
some cases, where soldiers died without hay
ing married. these worthless thought the over
singht so grave that they straightway manu-
factured widows for them, and, having made
all necessary proofs, coolly pocketed the pro-
ceeds. This scheme cost the Government
thousands of dollars, but they are in a West
ern penitentiary doing ten years sentence
each.
This man you say resembles a sea captain.
He was sailor and served with distinction
under Farragut during the war. but few
years ago he secured a list of all the men
who served with him in the Navy, and set
out to personate each and every one. He
had proceeded successfully as far as the
eighth man, when we brought him up with
snort turn, and he is in an Eastern peniten-
tlary for ten years .
Any suicides among them? Oh yes. I
remember two cases. both in Indiana One
was prominent politician, who had OBJ
tanned possession of a woman's check, forged
her Endorsement and got the money, all the
time nrntnEfinCp fhor ha ant1ld hanr