The Washington times., 1901-11-18
SIX HUNDRED MILE
TRAMP FOR PENSION.
LA BARRE HAS WALKED IT BEFORE.
Court Martial Decision in 1868 In
validated His CIaim-WiIi Come
Here to Appeal to Congress.

James La Barre, a civil war veteran Of
kentucky, will, within few days start
to walk to Washington, a distance of over
600 miles from his home. Representative
Gooch, of Kentucky, will introduce a bill
awarding La Barre a pension. and the
beneficiary desires to be on the ground 10
look after his interest. He made the same
long trip afoot last year, but the press
of business at the short session was so
great that the bill presented then by
Representative Shattuc, of Ohio, was not
disposed Of.
La Barre, who is a typical specimen
Of the kentucky mountaineer, claims TO
have been the victim of an unjust court
martial decision in 1863. This debars him
from obtaining "A pension through ordi-
nary channels. He would have the sug-
ma on his name removed, and to that end
through his friends. Representative shat
tue was induced to- offer bill in Con-
gress.
Twenty-three Days on the Way.
Hoping to vindicate himself La Barre
resolved to come to Washington. un-
daunted by lack Of funds, he determined
TO walk. The long distance, over 90
miles, and the difficult route, over rouSh
and mountainous roads, did not deter MN
The journey was accomplished III l"eH-
ty-three days. This is an average of over
twenty-five miles per day. Twenty-one
of the nights La Barre spent sleeping IN
open fields and beneath the sheiter OF
haystacks or hedges. lie suDsisleu on
such meagre fare as the hospitaole coun-
try people were willing to give an OLD SOL
dier.
Sometimes it rained hard, and the roads
became SO muddy that wagons ana puS-
gies came to grief in the mire. La barre
was Injured to the fatiguing strain oil the
daily tramp. The long jaunts over the
Kentucky mountains in seiTch OF game
mad trained HIM to endure the long march.
He told his story to many people along
the route, and It seldom failed To arouse
great interest.
To Make the Trip Afoot.
There is little doubt that if he had cared
to solicit aid for the purpose he would
have been enabled to secure means with
which to travel to Washington by rail-
road. Having once started, however, TO
make the journey afoot he was not IN
Clined to abandon that intention Inc
newspapers In the various towns and
cities through which La Barre passed
took great interest in his case
La BaTe's pluck IN making me lohs
Journey afoot has aroused no little ad-
miratiOn On this ground, II nothing else,
he Will receive support IN his endeaVors
to secure a pension.
While he was in Washington his case
excited much interest, and he was a Ia
miliar figure on the streets ana at the
Capitol, where he courageously button
ho;ed members Of the House 10 interest
them in his bill.
on last Wednesday La Barre called on
Representative Shattuc and obtained the
papers relating To his case. Ihese ne
placed in the hands of RepresehtatNt
Gooch of Kentucky. who will introduce
bill providing for La Barres pension az
the coming session. La Barre hlmseiI VIII
begin his long journey within few DAYS,
and expects TO cover the distance IN less
time than he did before He is sanguine
that his claim win be recognized during
the coming session.