The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-03
MAY Be SPITE WORK
Friends Do Not Credit Charges
Is, o. Against Bridgeman.
HE is AGENT AT FIT. BELKNAP
Former Chief Clerk Accuses His
= Chief of Shortages Aggrega-
+ ting About $4,000.
HE is AGENT AT FIT. BELKNAP

Special to The Journal.
Helena, Mont, May 3.-Morris L.. Bridg-
man. agent at Fort Belknap, Indian
agency located in the northern part of
Montana, has been suspended pending the
investigation of charges that have been
preferred against him by J. c. Fitzpat-
rick, formerly chief clerk at the agency,
who is now clerk at the Colville agency.
Fitzpatrick charges the agent with mis-
application of funds in different manners.
Their are eight counts to his accusations,
the PRINCIPAL of which are carrying fcti-
tious personsupo the pay rolls, and max
ing out vochers payable to fictitious per-
sons for articles. 90 80. -.a.. r.
Special Agent Charles S. Nichols is in
charge of the agency. Bridgman has been
allowed fifteen days in which to answer
the allegations. The shortage is alleged
to amount to about $4,000. Bridgman says
the whole d matter originated in spite
among enemies who have been trying to
ruin him for several months because he
has performed his duty as agent. =
Bridgman is under heavy bonds and the
government will not lose anything. He
has not been arrested. He was appointed
from Great Falls by President Mckinley
two years ago. His former reputa ton
was Of the best, and his friends, do. not
credit the charges. ...... l-f.... -
-...., :. HIS ONE EXPERIENCE. -.
-' e Brooklyn Eagle
He sat on log with cigarette in his
| mouth, watching them make their prepa-
rations for an early start the next morn
| ing. r.. s>5-1S
Better come along" one Of them sug-
gested. .~F
He shook his head.
ever do any hunting?'' another asked.
"Once,'' he replied, sententiously.
| Lots of fun!" -.. -. e q
$50 they told me when we got back
Didn't you have any of it?' =
GLOW could I, when I was the one who
furnished most Of it," he inquired with a
sadly reminiscent air. Then, after lit
tie, he was moved to tell the tale.
81 never was much Of a hunter" he
said. II always preferred a tete-a-t ete
or a cigar on the hotel veranda to wal
lowing in a marsh with a gun. But
was taken off my guard once, and was in
duced by a friend to go out after ducks.
I never considered him a friend again.
He told me there would be, some great
sport, and I guess he was right, but he
neglected to tell me who was going to
have the sport. 1t was simply an infer
ence on my part that I was to have some
of it; didn't understand that was mere
ly to furnish it.
well, he. supplied me with a gun.
don't remember it's weight, but it was
a very light one. He said it wouldn't tire
me, as recollect it now, and then he
! supplied me with cartridges, but he made
no claim that the cartridges would not
! weary me-, That is where he was guilty
of a breach of confidence. The shells
were made for my gun, but they were
loaded for a Krupp cannon. This was q
distinct surprise to me, and I never die
like surprises. You see, it is my custom
! to remove my clothes before bathing, anc
this time I didn't, had no inkling o.
what was expected of me until the CUR
went off; then knew, but I had no time
to prepare for it. Still, didn't complain
not then: thought very likely it was
part of the game, and just laughed wher
was pulled back into the boat Blu
gun; in the boat if I wanted to go swim
ming and added that any blamed foo
ought to know that gun is Of no U.s.
I for fishing I began to be suspicious o
him.
There were some things about tn
boat that didn't impress me very ia
vorably, either, although understand
was much like the majority Of boats me-
get on such occasions. The felloy
from whom we rented it told sus W
: needn't worry about the boat-we'd b
just as dry in it as we were out Of II
And he was right about that. steppe
T out, as / have mentioned, and know i
was no dryer outside than 1t was in
| and no wetter. Still, we didn't have muc
water in the boat, but that was becaus
: the boat was small
II Then he wandered away, humming tina
touching refrain:
eeOnce was enough for him!
5 Once was enough for him!
And when bright Phoebus rose
He went back to change his clothes
S 49, oh once waa enough for himi''