The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-26
FOR VIOLATING UNCLE SANS LAWS.
PcnsiOncr Weaver Gets n. l.. Drake
In Trouble.


IT, L. Drake, whose business IL given
in the city directory as that OF a money
broker, will be given a preliminary hear
ing next Wednesday by United States
Commissioner M. A. Connolly on the
charge of violating section 4745 of the Re-
vised Statutes, as amended, by holding as
security or collateral for money advanced
certain pension papers, the property of
Daniel Weaver, colored brother, late pri-
Vate in Company X, Thirty-third regi-
ment United States colored volunteer in
fantry. Drake is now located at No. 10
Liberty street, and, according to the di-
rectory. is associated in business with Mr..
f. S. Van Giesen.
Weaver who makes the complaint, was
rather late in engaging In hostilities, not
having enlisted until the spring of 1865.
when lighting was at low ebb. He came
out of the conflict safely, however, and in
1891 after twenty-five years of peace and
inactivity he became so physically dete-
riorated that he was compelled 20 call
upon the government for aid, which Is be-
ing extended to him at the rate of $l2 per
month, payable quarterly.
When Weaver applied for pension his
address was care of A. II. CASTOR, a coll
ored barber and pension attorney, who re-
Gently served a sentence In Chatham coun-
ty Jail for appropriating $l,J00 from the
pension money of Viva Strickland, to
whom was paid back pension amounting
to more than $1,000.
AS pension vouchers are paid but once In
three months and that period is a long
time TO wait, especially when one is in
need of ready money, Weaver had occa-
sion last April TO call upon Drake & Co,
and negotiate a loan to tide him over the
then current quarter. His note had no
rating in the commercial world, but he had
,ta III
good for S36 in three months. lie told Mr..
Drake so the story goes, that he was
hard up and needed money and needed 1t
bad. He got it and left his certificate
and voucher with Mr.. Drake as collateral
security.
Strange to say Weaver borrowed from
Mr. Drake exactly the amount of his quar-
| terly payment, $36. but when he received
| the check he paid Drake & Co.. about
| $li.00, promising to pay more when his
next check arrived. He made another
payment sometime in August. Drake q
Co. retaining his vouchers for the Novem-
| Der payment. Weaver still owed
$50, according to the books.
He became tired of making payments
| and was somewhat bewildered and con-
| fused by the banking methods of the
brokers. Some one at that time told him.
or he ascertained In some way, that Drake
| & Co. violated one of the many thousand
|
| ing his papers TO secure a debt. cogitat-
| ing over the matter he evolved scheme
to secure the vouchers, and wipe out the
debt due by repudiating his financial obi
cations to Drake & co. Some time last
September he took his friend and next
door neighbor with him to Drake & Co.'S
place OF business. and demanded his
voucher. Mr.. II. l.. Drake did not comply
with the demand and he Is now in
trouble with the United States
Weaver and his neighbor went at once
to the United States pension examiner and
set the machinery of the law in motion.
The penalty for violation of the Sec
ton is 500 and the costs of the prosecu-
tlon. Mr.. Drake gave bond for his APP
pearance next Wednesday, His attorney,
II. M. Hitch. Esq, asked for a continu-
ance until that time.