The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1898-09-17
ARMY SCANDAL.
North Dakota Has . Very
Case Of This Sort ON Hand.

North Dakota Has . Very
Case Of This sor ON Hand.
Fargo, N. D.-North Dakota Is moth
ing If not progressive. She keeps up
with other states in all lines. Since
the mustering-in process Of the volun-
teers began last spring there have been
rumors of scandal in connection with
the different camps. Now North Da-
kota comes to the front with a sup
pressed sensation that promises to ne
as full Of scandal a sany that nave
been heard from.
At the time the volunteers were at
Camp Eriggs, there. were reports OF
future trouble for some of the ohclais.
The matter passed over until cen
and now it looks. as if there will oe
some hot stuff, that will involve the
administration as we'll as the military
officials.
The alleged scandal hinges around
the purchase Of supplies and equip.
ment. When the volunteers were hrst
ordered to rendezvous here it was sup.
posed that Col. fuller, the CHER OF
supply, would be the purchasing agent:
For some reason, Gov. Briggs n
Adjt. Gen. Miller relegated III to Tue
rear, and made Adjt. Poole, deputy III
Insurance Commissioner Fanchers
office, the whole thing. He located the
camp ard had full charge of all de-
tails of the camp prior to it's occupancy
by the troops. He arranged for most
of the supplies, and was the much
| oo,,n1,%- q rfn,s- m Inv tho dealers.
Now that some Of the bills have been
maid and more are coming in, the facts
are being exposed. 1t is said that at
first only $4,000 of the state FUNDS
we're to be expended for the camp.
The vouchers o. KID so far alreaaV
amount to over $1,000.
AS a sample of some of the charges
made, it is claimed that State Treasur-
er Nichols has paid a bill of some $6oo'
properly o. KID, for 300 wire cots,
said to have been sent to the camp py
| Mai. Flint of jamestown. 1t is alleged
! that all the cots used at the camp
numbered forty-seven. which were
| shipped here from Bismarck, and al
terward returned to the capital. Inc
public would like to know what De-
| came Of the cots and who indorsed the
bill.
During the rendezvous it was an
nouEced that Col. Phelps, Gov. Briggs
| private secretary, had presented the
boys with 200 pipes and a number OF
pounds of tobacco. This was thOught
| to be a personal donation, but q. w.
| Haggart of Fargo sent in a bill Of S34
to the state for the smoking outfit.
Leach & Gamble Of Wahpeton re-
ceived the contract for supplying gro.
| ceries. Leach is a brother-in-laW or
| Col. Phelps. 1t is claimed that some
| Supplies were widowed, but were new
err returned to the firm, and were hnal-
w thrown out when the camp was
| broken up.
Another matter that is raising n row
is the board bill of the officers ut the
| Metropole. Some of the bills were not
over 500. That of Maj. Flint was over
| 500. and it is said that it included the
expenses at the hotel of the wives OF
two of the military officials. A livery
| bill for a rig used by the wife OF one OF
| the officers for IS daily during the rem
devious is also regarded as exorbltant.
Added to this comes the report OF q
court martial for Col. Tuller, chief OF
supply, 1t is alleged that he has been
criticising some Of the official acts of
his superior officers, and will be or
dered under arrest and taken before
the epaulette wearers to give an &C
count of himself. Col. Creel, the fu-
sion congressional nominee, is Judge
advocate. He and Col. Tuller are great
friends. and the charges will have to
be pretty near the real thing before
Creel will make a strong play on the
case. He is a regular army man, and
the ''play-soldier' red tape will prob
ably not "cleave many glaciers" with
him.
It is understood that Col. fuller de-
mands a complete investigation OF the
alleged scandals, and is ready to sub
nit to a court-martial If necessary.
Gov. Devine has promised an investi'
CATION.