The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-07
FAMOUS PENSION CASE.
Hard Problem for Mr.. Ware which
Has Been Before Bureau Many Years.
Washington Post.

Washington Post.
Among the stubborn pension cases which
already have been called TO the attention
of Pension Commissioner Eugene F. Ware
is that of Daniel Oberly, veteran Of the
civil war, who has been rendered helpless
by paralysis and attributes his disability
to a gunshot wound he sustained in the
service.
Oberly maintains that he has been prac-
ticaliy helpless ever since he was wounded.
but special pension examiners who invesu-
gated the case many years ago reported
that Oberly was a sk!lful tight-rope per-
former, acrobat and clog dancer after the
close of the war Obsrly denounces this
report as false. says that he never danced
with being a tight-rope performer because
he once wore tights and took up a collec-
gave exhibition in Lebanon. Pa. shortly
after the wer.
AS soon as the war was over Oberly was
examined and granted a pension Of 81. the
highest pension paid at that time. AS the
total disability pension increased. Oberly
was granted increases until he received
So per month. A guardian was appointed
for Oberly by the District Court at Troy,
O., where he formerly lived with his wife.
The guardian DR.. j. ". Meanes. Of
Troy Oberly was unwilling TO have his
affairs looked after by Meanes. and sue
ceeded in getting the Pension Bureau to
ignore the order of the court.
Oberly says that his trouble has all come
about through this guardian. The Pension
Bureau was informed that OberIy had Sc
cured a pension by fraud and was merely
feigning paralysis After much delay the
Pension Bureau decided that Oberly was
entitled 10 a pension Of $50 a month. but
should not have been paid more Conse-
quently his pension was reduced, and has
been withheld TO leimburse the government
for the money which Oberly is said 10 have
collected fraudulenty from the govern
ment. OSerly has been penniless for years
as result OF this decision Of the bureau.
He says that his wife, who has property in
Ohio which she bought with his pension
money, will not take care of him, and he Is
in Washington trying 10 get Mr.. Ware TO
investigate his case.
The Oberly case is one of the most cele-
brated in the annals of the Pension Bureau.
II has been reviewed and reviewed repeat
eddy. Once il was carried up TO the Depart
ment of the Interior. which confirmed the
action of the bureau. Commissioner Evans
refused TO report the case. as IL was con-
sidered before he came into office. A few
weeks ago action was brought TO compel
the secretary of the interior and the COM
missioner of pensions TO give the case a
rehearing.
| the Eighty fourth Pennsylvania Infantry.
He enlisted at Harrisburg when he was
twelve years old. having represented that
he was five years older. and was wounded
at the Bloody Angle during the battle at
! Spottsylvania Courthouse. Va, May II.
1864 a shot passed through his neck He
crawled under some bushes and lay the
battlefield until the next day. when he was
discovered by a party OF engineers. Oberly
maintains that the injury 10 his neck pro-
| duced paralysis. He admits that his dts
! ability was not complete Immediately after
! the war but that his condition became
| more serious as he grew older.
During the last few years he has been
| in hospitals in most OF the large Eastern
! cities and he has affidavits from many sur
! geons who are of opinion that the man Is
! not feigning his disability. IL was charged
| that forgery was resorted to in securing
| the original pension, but Oberly maintains
| that this charge was not sustained and in-
sists that he is the victim OF guardian
and relatives who do not want him TO have
a pension unless IL passes through their
Il hands