Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-13
THE INQUIRY BEGUN.
Work Of Sons Investigating Committee
Gotten Well Under Nay.
FIRST SESSION LONG AND LIVELY.
Many Witnesses Examined and The Hear
ing Marked by Exciting Incidents.
The CHECK THAT WAS SEEN.
Was Not In the Hand Of Any Member Of
The Committee.
STATEMENTS THAT DO NOT AGREE.
ur. Duce's Version of what He Heard
Denied by Mr.. west-Tbc Latter's
Explanation-Mr. FoIkes Examines
Witnesses I'm His Defence-Men
Come TO Blows.
The CHECK THAT MAS SEEN.
STATEMENTS THAT DO NOT AGREE.


ot Veterans 10 investigate the charge
that members OF the History Committee
Of that organization have been in the
service OF the American Book Company
have begun their work, and their first
session. which was held in Lee Camp
Hall last night, was an exceedingly ex-
citing and interesting one. extending frcm
7.S0 o'clock until some time after mid
night.
quite a number Of important witnesses
were examined. A large crowd of in
tercsted spectators was in attendance.
and many exciting episodes occurred, the
lie being several times exchanged and
blows narrowly averted.
The committee first met in the little
room in the rear of the camp hall, but
as soon as Lee Camp adjourned & move
was made 10 the larger room, and mat
ters progressed as rapidly as circum-
stances would admit
Secretary Spence read the following list
Of witnesses who had been summoned,
and nearly all of them responded to their
names: c. b. West. c. T. Boykin. II. c.
Duce. T. r. Noel, c. Werner, r. G. IIiden,
Arthur Clarke, r.. G. Golden, 3. NJ.
Bushong. T. A. Brander. n. V. Randolph,
J.. 2. Cox. Edwin Courtney: r. ii. Ed
wards. Of West Point: Minitree Folkes;
James Mann of Nottoway Courthouse;
r. S. Blackburn Smith, of Berryville;
>. E. b. Stuart, NJ. f. Maury, w. Crump
Tucker. c. NJ. Chumbley. w. r. Waldon,
and l.. w Brander.
PURPOSE OF THE INQUIRY.
Mr.. Lecky arose and stated that the
committee was acting under orders from
the Grand Camp. Sons of Confederate
Veterans, as well as under resolutions
from r. e. Lee Camp. No. /, Sons Of Con-
federate Veterans. He explained that
the object of the committee was to en-
quire into certain charges of bribery and
irregular action alleged and charged
against members of the History Com
mittee of the Sons of Confederate Vete-
rams Of Virginia.
The committee was sworn by Mr.. f.
T. Cox, and Major T. A. Brander was
called He testified that he was the
author Of the resolution adopted in II.
+. Lee Camp requesting the Sons of
Veterans to investigate the charges
Committee of the Sons. Being asked for
any Information he had concerning the
sons History Committee. he said he had
heard rumors touching the Massey in
Vestigation. and had had these rumors
confirmed by a gentleman who said he
had seen check passed between a gem
tleman and three of the members of the
Sons History Committee
This gentleman, he said, was Mr.. III. G.
Duce. Mr.. Duce had told him, he said,
that the check was from the American
Book Company. His informant. wit
ness continued. declined 10 say who the
Sons were who had received the check.
The amount was stated. witness said
but he preferred not to testify concern
ing IL. as his recollection was not clear
thereon
Mr.. Lecky returned thnks TO Major
Brander for his testimony, and said he
hoped that all the witnesses summoned
would testify fully. in order that all the
light possible might be shed on the mat
ter under investigation.
HAD ONLY HEARD RUMORS.
Mr.. W. Crump Tucker. of the Lee Camp
Sons of Veterans History Committee,
was next called. He testified that the
committee had had several meetings, all
OF them being subsequent TO the Massey
investigation. He had heard rumors al
leging wrong doing on the part of mem
bers of the committee, but knew nothing
save what had been published In the
papers He had heard no charge speci~
fed against any individual member of
the committee Being asked If he had
received any money directly or indirect
ly from any book company for the pur-
pose Of using his influence in behalf Of
any history, ne said, Il have not; nor do
1 know Of any such money having been
used"
AFFIDAVIT OF Mr.. DUCE.
Mr.. Lecky then read the following af-
hdavit. sworn to before Mr.. Eugene
Jones:
Richmond. Va. November II. 1897.
Robert Lecky. Jr.. Esq, Chairman Inves-
tigating Committee:
Dear Sir.-Haying been summoned be-
fore your committee, l beg TO make TO
the committee under oath, the follow
ing statement. / am frank 10 admit that
j contributed TO the c!rculaton Oh a re-
port that certain members OF Lee camp
OF Veterans were improperly Influenced 10
oppose the Mahood resolution. mace
the statement with no malicious purpose,
and I'm entire good faith, but nave Deen
convinced that | was misled. 1 further
make oath that / have no knowledge OF
any act on the part OF any member OF any
camp Of Sons Of Veterans that anects the
With great respect. / have the honor 10
be your obedient servant, r
HERBERT CECIL DUCE.
WHAT MR.. NOEL HAD HEARD.
Mr.. p. r. Noel was next sworn. He
testified that he was newspaper man.
Being asked n be knew of any rumors
concerning bribery OF members OF the
History Committee he said he knew
nothing Of his personal knowledge. Be
Ing further questioned, he said he hah
heard OF check having been passed
but had been unable to secure any POSI-
tive information concerning H. His
original Information had been received
from gentleman who knew absolutely
nothing OF it, But this check matter
did not refer to any member OF the Sons
OF Veterans.
Witness was asked If he had ever had
any conversation with Mr.. Duce con-
cerning the passing OF any check or
money with a view 10 influencing any
member Of the Sons History Committee
IN his action concerning histories lie
preferred. he said In reply, TO answer
that by making statement, whlch ne
did. asserting that Mr.. Duce he'd asked
his advice concerning the rumor saying
he feared that the investigation was the
outgrowth OF remark he had un-
Willingly let fall. The advice was
gwen on last Sunday night. witness
said Mr.. Duce had talked with him,
and had said In substance that aiter
the Massey investigation there were
some things that looked suspicious. and
that on the succeeding day he had made
statement 10 two gentlemen tnat II
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