The morning times., 1895-09-13
OLD VETERANS TROUBLES
Capt. Johnson at the Mercy Of
Constable Rheanl.
CASE SMELLS OF SHYLOCKISM
The Soldier of Two Wars Had No
Ready Money to Pay the Bill for
the Burtai of His Aged Wife-Pugi-
iistic Scene Outside the Office Of
Justice O'NeiH.

Capt. b F. johnson, a veteran of two wars,
with his title from the Fourth Indiana Artil
lery i'll 1865, had a lively experience
yesterday with Constable Henry u Rheam
and an underlakers bill. Incidentally it
very nearly involved a knockout with the un
dertaker, K. w Barker.
Capt. johnson came here in 1889 as
pointed from Indianapolis. where he had
| lived over thirty years. He had some
mears but about three years ago his wife
became i'll and continued SO till last February
when she died They he'd been married
nearly fifty years. In the wife's long ILL.,
ness nearly all their money had been spent.
He lost his place about two years ago
Mr Barker conducted the funeral and sent
bill for sSS. Capt. johnson was not able
10 pay at once. After a tiIne Mr.. Barker
put the bill in the hands of Mr.. Rheam, of
No. 642 C street northeast. for collection.
Mr.. Rheam. with whom Capt. johnson had
once lived for a considerdb bic tune, called
for ihe money and what Mr. johnson under
stood TO be a satisfactory settlement was
effected. He turned over to Mr.. RbeaIn a
note Oh Mr.. Daniel Birtwel of No. 492
Louisiana aveB5e. for $175 at per cent
Mr.. Rheam went to Mr. BirtweIl with
this and got SIS cash ai.d notes for Sl0o
and 500. These notes were wei Sc
cured.
THOUGHT RHEAM WOULD PAY.
Capt. Johnson understood that Nj. Rheam
would pay Barker, receiving his commits
sion from that source. and turn over the
balance, about SSe.
on yesterday he met Mr.. Barker and said
lie was glad the baI was paid. Mr.. Barker
replied that it WIS not paid. He had got
nothing from Ar. Rheam. Mr. johnson
had in the mea ntime had his goods packed
for shipment TO his grandson, c. E.
Geissendorff, OF indianapolis. When Mr..
Barker heard this he got out an attach
ment. He took it to Mr.. Rhnam, who
refused to serve it. He then turned it
over to Constable William Swinburn. who
ATTACKED the goods Us they lay at the
Baltimore and Ohio depot.
Capt. Johnson was at Justice o'Nellrs
office to settle the matter when Mr. Barker
came in, and swinging his bill in the old
soldiers face, said he had a mind 10
bring criminal prosecution. He seemed
ment would not hold after the terms made
by Mr.. Rheam, as his agent, about the
notes.
Capt. Johnson was deeply hurt, and with
tears in his eyes stepped outside the office
and said to Mr.. Barker:
THAT is no place to settle difficulty,
but If youll just step out here IN knock
the wind out of you in two minutes, old
in
vitation.
Capt. Johnson, then, in great distress at
this worry over the bill for his wife's
burial, excitedly turned to Mr.. Rheam and
said he would give him the whole amount
OF the notes from Mr.. Birtwe ell, about 81
he would pay Mr.. Barker the SOS and re-
lease the goods.
TOO GOOD A THING.
1t then developed that MIR. Rheam only
needed to pay Mr. Barker balf his bill
He was to have 90 per cent for collection.
Mr.. Barker had sued for S96, and Mr.. Rhearn
paid him S4S, getting a receipt
Capt. johnson thought lSst night MI.
Rheam had made too good thing out OF
the transaction, as be was to have the
SIS cash and two good notes for total
of S165, together with interest all IN re-
turn for a payment of S4e on the under
takers hill and some costs in this and other
suits, in all not more thaan $50
Constable Swinburn also was indignant
over the matter and denounced Rheam in
unmcasured terms, declaring be wanted the
transaction exposed. even If 1t made every
consta bic in town lose his job.
Mr.. Rheam, when asked about the matter
last night, refused TO talk for publication, but
said be was willing to take the money he had
paid out for Capt, Johnss.a, together with
his 30 per sent on Mr.. Barker's bill, less
10 per cent, Oh the total, and return the
notes to Capt. johnson. He did not intend
TO keep the whole amount due from air.
Birtwell.