The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-10
THE HISTORY FRAUD
The Virginia Investigation
Formally Begun.
TESTIMONY IN DETAIL
THOSE IN PAY OF THE AMERI-
CAN BOOK COMPANY.
COL. STUBS MAKES BRISK DENIAL
If His Name Was on the Back Of Any Checks
it Was Forgery, But He Was Pre-
scented With Checks Which
Puzzled Him.
COL. STUBS MAKES BRISK DENIAL

Puzzled Him.
Richmond, ", Dec 9.-The committee
| appointed to investigate the charges
| that certain members of the History
Committe of the Grand Camp Confed
crate Veterans of Virginia were in the
employ of the American Book Company,
began it's investigation this morning.
Major Thomas Brander, the first wit
ness examined, testified as to the ru-
mors that led to the Investigation, and
stated that these rumors gradually set
| tied down upon one or two, and the
| specific charge was now against the
| Grand Commander, Col. James n.
| Stubs, also that he had seen paper of
| the American Book Company, which
was payable to Col. Stubs, that this
paper consisted of two checks signed by
j. w. Womack, who is currently re-
! ported to be in the employ of the
American Book Company. One check
was for 5000, and the other for $50.
Major n. V. Randolph testified in re-
gard Ito the checks that they were in
his possession. Upon request of Capt.
Woods, Maj. Randolph produced the
checks in question, and read the writing
on them in full to the committee. The
/ first was for 5000 signed by j. w. Wo-
mack and made payable TO James n.
Stubs. The date was Petersburg, Oc-
tober IS, 1894, and the check was en-
dorsed ''pay to the Planters National
Bank" and the endorsement was signed
by j. n. Stubs. The second check
| bore date, Petersburg, October 16
/ 1894" and was for $50, also deposited
for collection at the Planters bank and
endorsed by j. n. Stubs. Both checks
were drawn on the National bank of
Petersburg, and their endorsement show
ed that they had passed through the
| Planters bank of Richmond.
| Capt. Hazelwood testified that he had
| heard the rumors concerning the History
| Committee and had also been told that
| there were spspicious heeks in existence
This information he sad, has been given
him by Mr.. Greer H. Baughman, he
J thought, but he had no personal knowl-
| edge of the matter.
| Col. John Cussons, past Grand Com
NADER of the Grand Camp, was then
! placed on the stand and there was
| stir of interest all through the house.
/ He said he resigned as a member of the
History Committee of the GrandCamp
about the Goth of October. Being asked
for the reason which caused him to
resign, Captain Cussons read COM
munication, setting forth his reasons.
The communication, among other things
| says:
"A year ago my comrades called me
/ to the great place of commander Of the
/ Grand Camp. | should have shrunk
| alike 'front.' he honors and from the re-
/ sponsibilities Of the post had | not
felt that by strenuous effort toward Il
Lsingle end, a beginning might perhaps
be made in breaking up the routine
which seemed to have fossilized on
the particular question. And so last
summer | directed Adjutant General
| Ellet to keep the work of the Grand
Camp well in hand, and particularly to
ascertain what measures the History
Committee proposed to adopt. In an
swer to this question, Chairman Stubs
replied that the proper time to make a
fight for such histories as the Grand
Camp might recommend would be next
spring, when the Board OF Education
should award new contracts for the en-
suing four years. l feared that
it might then be too late; that
| a change so sweeping as the
one sought could hardly be attained
in that way. Superintendent Massey,
as the educational expert of the board,
had long been its controlling spirit, and
he seemed to be quite satisfied with
things as they were.
'It thus seemed that the only way in
which our schools could be rid of these
false histories would be by making an
appeal to the best thought of the State,
| and to that end / sent out a circular
letter, which resulted in the magnificent
assemblage over which DIR. Hunter Nc
CURE was called to preside on the even
ing Of October 10Th.
"In taking this step, did not consult
the chairman of the History Committee.
OF course, the measure was a distinct
usurpation of that committees function;
but / wanted results, and was willing to
take the consequences. Such action Is
obviously subversive of official authority,
and in itself was to me a sufficient rea.
son for declining a reelection. But
had also given my word to the officer
next in rank that under no circum.
stances would | accept a second term as
Grand Commander. There was another
reason which influenced me. | did not
desire that the then existing status
should be maintained. / wanted q
change. If I had accepted the comman
| dership it was quite clear that the chair
man of the History Committee would
have been continued in his position, AMI
/ knew that that gentleman had had
dealings with Mr. ]. w Womack, The
agent Of the American Book Company
the concern which is supplying to Vir
ginia the very books against which We
are waging war and / did not very well
see how he could ut once be faithful t.
the interests OF that corporation and vet
see loss in behalf of the work for
which our History committee was Great.
ed.
II viii merely add that If Col. Stubs
should think it worth his while TO ex-
plain the nature OF the service which
he rendered to the agent of the Ameri.
| can Book COmnanv and for (which Al -