St. Paul daily globe., 1895-08-11
PEMBROKE TALKS
THE OLD VETERAN RECITES
THE HISTORY OF HIS CASE
AT LENGTH,
JUSTICE TO JUDGE LocHREN
HE NEVER PASSED UPON THE
CLAIM IN ANY MANNER
WHATEVER.
LESSON BEvANs SHOULD HEED
Took the Old Mans Papers Ap.
parently to Work Them
Into Politics,
JUSTICE TO JUDGE LoCHREN
LESSON BEvANs SHOULD HEED

In view of the fact that consider
able prominence has been given to
the pension case of Jerry Pembroke,
of this city, during the past few days,
a G i b e reporter called at the
gentleman's residence, 273 Kent
street, last night to learn from his
own lips the entire story of his pen
sion affairs. Mr.. Pembroke, who is
a man seventy-four years of age and
hardly able to get about, was at
first very much averse to saying
anything for publication, saying that
the matter went into the newspapers
without his knowledge or consent
in the first instance, and that he was
opposed to any notoriety. But when
assured that nothing was desired ex-
cept a true statement of the case he
finally consented to give his whole
record. Mr.. Pembroke briefly gave
the G b the following narrative:
"I entered the war when nearly forty
years of age and in 1862 was discharged
from service for disabilities incurred.
I suffered from partial loss of sight,
rheumatism and a rupture. 1 re-
turned to Ottawa county, Illinois, then
my home, and made application for
pension. In 1870 this was allowed and
1 received s4 a month, drawing about
500 in all. One of the examining
surgeons in the town, who wanted a
big fee to get the papers through, took
a hand in the case and finally sue
ceeding in having my pension stopped.
The original application was made on
the sole grounds of loss of sight.
THE opposing man sent on a state
ment that had suffered from bad eyes
before l enlisted and that seemed suf-
ficient to have the pension stopped. I
kept on in my efforts to have it re-
newed and forwarded about fifty affi-
davits to the department showing the
contrary. Among these was one from
the examining surgeon who passed me
into the service, one from Maj. Mum,
of my regiment, and from the second
lieutenant of my company. A special
examiner by the name of Geddes was
sent on. He, however, in spite of the
aff1davits secured in my favor, must
have made an adverse report, for the
pension was not renewed at that time.
The case dragged along and more evi-
dence was called for, and in 1890 Com
missioner Raum finally allowed my
claim and 1 was awarded d pension of
$12 month. But attached to the papers
was notice that l must refund the
money previously allowed and that no
money would be paid me until this
amount had been made up, so that L
never received a dollar until July, 1895.
when L drew $37.
In the transmission of the papers
and money an error was made and my
pension was sent to Minneapolis in
stead of st. Paul. I was urged to see
look up the delay. 1 took my papers
to his office. and left them there The
next thing knew was the publication
of the story in the Pioneer Press. want
to say that 1 know Commissioner
Lochren personally and had a talk with
him on the case some time ago. But it
has never been before him in any man.
ner and to say that he is responsible
for the matter is doing him an inius-
uce. The case was adjudicated under
the Arthur administration by Commits
sioner Raum and no one else. I be-
lieve I am entitled to all of the PEN
sion. Had it not been for hostile men
in the earlier years 1 would have re-
ceived it all these years.
Il hope that you will let the matter
rest now" said Mr. Pembroke in
closing, 'as I do not want any more
notoriety than 1 can help. I am an old
and poor man and do not want to
find myself making enemies in my last
years.