Omaha daily bee., 1900-01-24
CONDITION OF THE WEATHER
Forecast FOR Nebraska
Fair. Colder. Mestcrly Winds.

on Goose creek, Montana, in August and took
command Of scouting columns against Sit
ting Bull; participated in battle OF Slim
Buttes, September 10, and several minor en-
gGeements; went with column under General
Crook in November and December against
the Cheyenne chief Dull Knifes band; in
February, 1877 went to Grow Agency Mont,
to pay scouts CCrow Indians) engaged in
the Sioux campaign; in May. 1877.
was ordered to Salt Lake City
for station; was with the troops under Gen
eral John H. Smith to prevent the threat
cued outbreak of the Bannocks near Fort
Hall, Idaho. in 1873; in November 1879,
went to pay the column operating against
the Utes. after the Thornburg massacre; in
December 1879, was ordered to Omaha as
chief paymaster Department of the Platte;
in August, 1884, was detailed as member Of
board in Washington, ID. c., to adjust addi-
tonal war claims of the state of Kansas
against the United States; in 1885 was again
ordered to Salt Lake City to take station;
in 1856 was detailed by General Crook for
special duty in the field in connection with
the movement to prevent an outbreak Of
the UncompahSre and White River Utes, and
to establish Fort Duchesne; in September,
1883. was ordered to duty at headquarters
division of the Missouri, Chicago ILL.,, was
/
chief paymaster, Department of the Platte
and paid the troops in the field operating
against the hostile Sioux in the Wounded
Knee campaign 1890 and 1891.
General Stanton's appointment to the po
siton of paymaster general of the United
States army in 1895 took him away from
Omaha to the national capital, but on his
retirement he returned here
yhriIliur Expcrfcnce,
One of the most thrilling incidents in
the career of General Stanton took place
at Richmond near the close of the civil war
The general had been sent to Richmond
| with $3.50, 900 government money. He was
accompanied by an armed escort who re-
mained with him until the general had de-
posted the money at army headquarters.
General Stanton was tired and exhausted
from hard work and loss of sleep He went
to hotel known as the Ford house, where
he engaged lodging for the night. On re-
turning to his room on the second Aoor after
having been to the dining room for supper
General Stanton observed the scabhari of
dagger on a mantelpiece in his apartments.
He was reasonably certain that the scahbari
was not there prior to the time he went TO
tho dining room for supper, and he was
somewhat puzzled to account for it, but he
preferred rest W Willy, op hc SUM lS4'
asleep.
About o'clock in the morning a man at
tempted to enter General Stantons room
through a window. General Stanton grab
bed his pistol from under his pillow and
| fl d several shots. He heard tumult OF
voices on the outside. He knew then that
a gang had planned attack on him.
He continued to shoot. AS result OF that
skirmish he killed one man and frightened
the others away. On the person of the
dead man was found the dagger which fit
ted the empty scabbard that had puzzled
the general 1t was learned subsequently
that the dead man was the leader OF rob-
Der band which had followed General STAN
tor to Richmond, presuming that he would
take the government funds to his bedroom.
The position of an army paymaster is most
exacting. He must take charge of govern
ment money and give no excuse for its loss.
If no is knocked down and beaten and the
government funds are taken from him he
cannot plead that circumstance as reason
for not producing the money. Nothing but a
prompt accounting of the money will satisfy
! Uncle Sam. To the credit of General Stan
ton it is said that there was never a l-cent
discrepancy in his cash accounts. Knowing
| all this. General Stanton preferred to go to
tho front and fight, making the payment
an incidental matter. Army ethics do not
require q paymaster to fight, but General
Stanton fought Of choice.