The Portland daily press., 1895-12-06
SERIOUS CHARGES.
Mrs. Creayes's Testimony Against II.
|. Lord.
FAMOUS BIDDEFORD PENSION
CASE IN THE u. S. COURT.
Outline of Prosecutions StoryThe De-
Tense Not Yet Entered-The Case
Continued Today.

Outline of Prosecutions StOry--The De-
Tense Not Yet Entered-The Case
Continued Today.
Henry l. Lord of Biddeford, was before
Judge Webb in the United States court
yesterday, as a result of the pension
episode between him and Mrs. Laura e.
Greaves of Saco. 1t is the outcome of the
suit brought by Mrs. Greaves against
Lord in the Supreme court. She alleged
that back pension collected by Lord for
her was not paid over. After several
terms of court decision was given in
Mrs. Greaves's favor. An execution of
about $3.50 was issued against Lord.
The sale of his property was held at the
Office of Hamilton and Cleaves, in Bidde
ford, and conducted by Deputy Sheriff
Goldthwaite. Lord was present. The
purchaser was John W.Noble of Otisf1eld,
uncle by marriage Of Mrs. Greaves The
equity in the lot in Wakefield, Saco, went
for 5000, the Pike street property for $500;
and the house on May street for S25.
Mr.. Noble said that he intended to take
possession of the property next week after
the hearing before the United States
court.
Under the law of the United States, a
pension agent is allowed $40 for his
services to his clients. That amount is
taken out of the sum paid by the govern
ment, and sent to the claim agent by
a separate check with the amount of the
claim. IT is on account of this law that
the case against Mr.. Lord is brought by
the United States authorities,
The penalty for violations of the
pension law is fine of $1,000 or imprisonL
ment for not less than one year or more
than three years.
The Indictment declared that Lord took
from Mrs. Greaves an illegal compensa-
ton for services In securing the pension.
The case has been worked up for the
governments by United States pension
Examiner George B. Nearpass of this
city.
At the opening of the case yesterday
Hon. George E. Bird, who appeared for
Lord, filed demurrer on the ground that
the Indictment was not sufficiently clear
in its details. Judge Webb overruled the
demurrer and Mr.. Bird took exceptions.
The case was then begun with
Mr.. BRADBURY'S OPENING.
District Attorney Badbury, in his open
ing for the government, stated that the
facts of the case are that the late Robert
Greaves had an application for pension
that he prosecuted without success till
his death, His widow continued the
prosecution and in 1891 her claim was
allowed and she received a check for
1910 She lived in Saco y Hersspension
agent was f. E. Abbott of Worcester,
ployed by her in looking up testimony
for Abbott
When she received her check she was
notified by Lord that it had come and he
went with her to the postoffice and got
the letter.
They went to Lords office and found
the check for $2175. She went to the
bank with Lord to cash the check. The
cashier banded her first a package of
$1,000, which she put in her satchel, then
sl75, which she put in her pocket, then
second package of $1,000, which she could
not get In her satchel
Lord said that he would carry it for her
and put it in his inside pocket.
They went to Lords office and he took
the $1,000 from his pocket aud laid it
down and said:
This belongs to Mr.. Abbott
Lord took the S175, divided it, and put
one half with the $1,000 and said: 1nis
also belongs to Mr. Abbott Then she
said
"How much do 1 owe your"
Suppose I take this balance of the
Sl75. l think that would be right" said
he.
She thought that was rather large but
supposed it was all right. He retained all
the money except the $1,000 that she had
in her satchel. Then they went to the
Biddeford Savings bank and there she
deposited the $1,000
The prosecution would show that short
ly after, Mr.. Lord went to Worcester to
see Mr.. Abbott. and carried with him
package of 5000. saying that Mrs. Greaves
feit SO elated at the receipt OF the pension
that she wished to give him that as his
compensation.
MIR. Abbott said 81 can't receive this
money from Mrs. Greaves She may
"nnt it 10y and by. 1 will deposit it to
her credit" He told clerk to deposit it
IN bank in his name as trustee for Mrs.