Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-05-06

sistant SECRETARY Doe and Whitton TO
make restitution to the amount of
Yearly $1,000 in cash and to surrender
to the department considerable
amount Of property, which, in his
opinion belonged to the government.
at was disclosed, for example, that
during the absence of the secretary Of
war Doe had ordered two bicycles, one
for himself and one for Wilton,
which were returned to the department
and are now stored in the basement.
The official photographer of the depart
ment testified that he had made two
sets of prints, about 1000 in number,
from the negatives purchased by con-
gress some years ago, from Brady, the
celebrated war photographer = and
George K. Jenny, in charge of the de-
partment bindery testified that he
had mounted these prints and bound
| them in handsome Russia leather al
buns. about twelve by eighteen inches
! in size, at the expense of, ssthe govern
ment. A. K. Johnson, the department
carpenter, testified that he had been
employed for several weeks, under the
orders of Assistant Secretary Doe, in
making and packing furniture and
other articles which were shipped to
GAINESVILLE, Wis Among other things
| he made Mr.. Doe ten handsome chests,
two Of ash and six of poplar, and two
chests of cedar for Whitton, which had
been packed with articles unknown
and shipped away. He had also made
fine mahogany gun-case, which cost $40,
for the material alone, without consid-
ering the labor, and twenty-five picture
frames, and about forty packing cases,
which were packed full Of articles by
Mr.. Does messenger and shipped to
GAINESVILLE. Mr.. Johnson was not aware
of their contents. Edward McQuaide,
the foreman Of the department stables,
testified that he hauled two wagon
loads of packing cases, furniture, etc,
from the department Of the express Of
fee, which were shipped I'D. H. to
GAINESVILLE, Wis, in an eXpress-car OBJ
tanned by Joseph S. Moss, i clerk in the
department, whose brother is the gen
eral manager Of the Adams Express
company in this city.
Secretary Lamont himself accident
ally discovered one day in the carpan-
ters room a large chest, sealed and ad-
dressed to Gen. Doe at JaneSvillc.
When opened by his orders it was
found to contain a quantity Of fine sta
tionery, sufficient to last Doe the rest
Of his life. It had been packed by the
storekeeper on Mr. Whitton's requisi-
ton. Col. Lamont had the chest
emptied and its contents restored to
the shelves of the store-room. There
was another box caught con the fly, -
which was also addressed to Mr. Doe
and ready for shipment. When opened
by Col. Lamont's orders it was found to
contain six fine United States flags.
One of them was made of silk and cost
the department 5000 The others were
Of bunting and cost from $50 to 5000
each. These were unpacked and re-
turned to the shelves.
ut was also reported to Secretary
Lamont that a quantity of fine furni-
ture, bookcases, cabinets and writing
desks Of mahogany had been shipped
to GAINESVILLE, and he had an interview
with Mr.. Doe on that subject. buE what
occurred is known only to the two men
Col Lam ont is very secretive and
naturally wished to avoid a scandal
during the closing days Of the Cleve-
land administration, and the investiga-
ton was not pursued further It is IN
derstood, however. that Dee made resti-
tuition in CaFh, and that he would have
been dismissed in disgrace but for the
Intervention of Senator Villas, upon
whose recommendation he had been
originally appointed. and who inter
coded for him with the president How
ever, from and after this interview Mr.
Doe was practically idle, so far as Of
fetal business was concerned The
stOrekeeper received instructions TO fl
no acquisitions that were not approved
by Secretary Lamont himself, and he
did not trust the supplies TO the pro
lection Of the ordinary lock and key
Shortly after Secretary Alger took
charge Wilton was removed and Capt
Thorpe was restored to his old posi-
ton"