Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-11-22
OFFICIAL REPORT OF
The LUCAS HI EARRING
Majority and Minority Reports
of Board Are Made
Public.
ACQUITTED AND ACCUSED
Shanafelt, Nash and Baker Declare
Commandment Blameless-Gunder-
son and Van Osdel Demand
Resignation.

Hot Springs, S. d., Nov. 17.-At n
meeting of the board of commissioners
Of the Soldiers home, held at Hot
Springs, September 8, 1902, charges were
presented affecting the integrity Of
Captain w. V. Lucas, commandant of
the home. The serious illness of Cap
tain Lucas rendered 1t impossible to
fully investigate these charges at that
time. The best that could be done I'M
der the circumstances was to make a
preliminary examination. 1t was then
decided to hold a meeting of the board
at Hot Springs, commencing on Tues
day, November IL, 1902, for the purpose
of making a thorough and complete in
v~estigation of the charges presented.
Official notice of this meeting was CIV
en- to the people of South Dakota, and
opportunity furnished for any citizen
Of the state, who so desired, to present
additional charges, accompanied by
evidence.
Nearly three days nave been devoted
to an exhaustive investigation OF these
charges. The principal charge was
that Commandant Lucas has en-
bezzled or attempted to embezzle funds
left by deceased members of the Sol
diers' home, special reference being
made to a fund of 1853 left in his pos
session at the death Of John Hickman.
1t was claimed that in a letter sent by
Commandment Lucas to James Heck
man, one of three brothers of the de-
ceased, he omitted to mention the fact
that he had in his possession $3.50 be-
longing to John Hickman, and that
this omission was intentional in order
that Commandant Lucas might appro-
pirate to his own use the said $3.50.
Charges Thoroughly Examined.
This charge, and several other
charges of minor Importance, have been
thoroughly examined, and evidence for
and against their correctness carefully
considered. This evidence and the
written explanations and statements
Of ~Commandant Lucas have been made
part Of the records Of this investiga-
ton.
1t is the opinion of this board that
the omission of ~Conmandant Lucas to
mention in his letter to James Heck
man the fact of having in his possess
sion $50 left in his care by John Heck
man, deceased, was a serious error Of
Judgment, and that he should AVE
stated thai he held this fund subject
to the order and direction of the board.
In this opinion C~ommandant Lucas
heartily concurs. 1t is the opinion of
this board that this omission, in the
light of the reasons assigned therefor,
does not involve any criminal intent,
and this opinion Of the board Is con-
irmed by the opinion of four of the
ablest and best attorneys in the state.
Majority Report.
Having very carefully and thorough
ly inspected this and all the other
charges made, the board has reached
the following decisions:
First-That Commandant w. V. Lucas
did not embezzle or appropriate to his own
use any funds left by John Hickman and
other deceased members of the soldiers
home, but held these funds subject TO the
order of the board, and they are now in
the possession Of the board.
Secondhand Commandant w. ". Lucas
did not attempt or manifest any intent TO
embezzle or appropriate to his own use
any or all of the funds herein mentioned.
Third-That in view of the foregoing
opinions reached and decisions made, 1t
is the conviction of this board that Com
mandant W.. V, Lucas is not guilty of the
charges made, and considered, and that he
is hereby fully eXhonorated.
On roll call on the above findings Baker,
Shanafelt and Nash voted aye and Gum
derson and Van Osdel voted no.
r. NJ. Shanafelt, President.
N. c.. Nash. Secretary.
j. L. Baker, Treasurer.
Minority Report.
The following minority finding is
made a part of the record in the case:
With due difference to the decision Of
the majority of the board of commission
ers, we the undersigned members respect
fully submit our decision. We believe
that the evidence in the case is Of suft-
cient bearing to induce US to request the
resignation Of Colonel Lucas as COM
mandant Of this soldiers home.
a. l.. Van Osdel.