The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-11-21
OFFICIAL REPORT OF
THE LUCAS HEARING
Majority and Minority Reports
of Board Are Made
Public.
ACQUITTED AND U
Shanafelt, Nash and Baker Declare
ii Commandment BiameIess-Gunder-
son and Van, Osdei Demand
" Resignation.

Hot Springs, S. D.. Nov. 17.-At :
meeting of the board Of commissioners
of the Soldiers home, held at Hot
Springs, September s, 1902, charges were
presented affecting the integrity of
Captain w. V. Lucas, commandant OF
the home. The serious illness of Cap
tain Lucas rendered it impossible to
fully investigate these charges at that
time. The best that could be done IN
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 II, 1902, for the purpose
Of making a thorough and complete in
vestigation 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.
7, Nearly, three days have 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
dlers' home, special reference being
made to a fund of $153 left in his pos
session at the death Of John Hickman.
It was claimed that in a letter sent by
Commandant Lucas to James Heck
man, n 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 C~onIInandant 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.
It is the opinion of this board that
the omission of ~Con1nandant Lucas to
mention in his letter to James Heck
the factEof having in his possess.
.sions150 left In his care by John Heck
man, deceased, was a serious error OF
Judgment, and that he should have
stated that he held this fund subject
to the order and direction Of the board.
In this opinion C~ommandant Lucas
heartily concurs. It 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
firnied 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-Ihat Commandant w ". Lucas
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.
ID Commandment w. Y. Lucas
sembez2le or appropriate to- his own use
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 Conn
y; ~. Lucas Is not guilty of the
charges made, and considered, and that he
Is hereby fully exhonorated.
8Onzrou call on the above findings Baker
sShanafelt and Nash: voted y and Gun
derson \ Van Osdel voted no. n
!. NJ. shanafeless President
53sE NC. Nash, Secretary
J. F. Baker, Treasurer.
Minority Report.
81 Ttef&SffoiloWing minority finding Is;
mat 2 a part OF the record in the case:
With due Difference to the decision Of
the majority Of the board of commissions.
ers.. we the undersigned members respect
flllys submit our decision.sAWe believe.
that the evidence tnsthe case Is of suffi-i
Client bearing to induce us to- request the
resignation 8 f Colonel Lucas as cons
~, a ", n 800