The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-09
APPEAL IN CASE OF
 SUMERALL DENNIS
Senator Johnston Takes Action
 in Pension Matter
JUSTICE IS DEMANDED
Pension Bureau Decides Against Sum- eraiI Dennis in Spite of Action Fly Congress and Will Not Pen-
 sion His Widow

Washington, December S.-(Special) Senator Johnston of Alabama has ap- pealed to the Secretary of the Interior from a decision of the commissioner of pensions, one of the most remarkable pension cases on record. The pension bureau has decided that Mrs. Evie Dennis of Dadeville, Ala, a widow of S2 years, is not entitled to a pen sion on the ground that her husband Sumerall Dennis, was not identical with Sumerall Dennis, who served with South Carolina troops during the war of 1872. At the last session of Con- gress bill was passed correcting the military record of Dennis in order that his wife and widow might be given a questionable status.
 The pension bureau, regardless of the act of Congress, regards the alleged facts in the case as incredible and de- cides against the widow
 The bill passed by Congress correct ed Dennis record so as to show that he was honorably discharged on Feb ruary 21, 1915, instead If dying on that date, as some of the war depart ment records insist. According to Congress Dennis did hot die until he was 102 years of age-1SS6-fghting through the war of 1912, the Mexican war and the Indian war of 1S36. Ac- cording to records in possession of the adjutant general of the army, Sum- erall Dennis enlisted in the First South Carolina militia January IS, and died February 21, 1915.
 Notwithstanding his "death,' the rec ords show that Sumerall Dennis was enrolled May 4, 1886, as a private in the Tallassee Guards, Alabama vo1un- teers, to serve three months. No rec ord is found later on the muster rolls of the company. Regardless of his death in 1915 and disappearance in 1888, Dennis turns up when another war occurs, the war department rec ords showing that June ?, 1S46, he was mustered in as captain in the First Alabama volunteers. Mexican war, to serve six months. To complicate mat ters his brother, Thomas Dennis, in 1852, made claim for bounty. stat ing that his brother Sumerall was his substitute.
 Sumerall had moved to Alabama and his brother said he supposed was dead. The adjutant general furnished the committees of the House and Sem ate with tracing of Dennis signature as it appeared on all the rolls and there is also submitted traces and cer- tifed signatures of Dennis sent from Dadeville, Ala, one in March, 1876, be- ing to a promissory note for the sum of $11.50, payable 10 days after date and the other a mortgage to Secure payment for one ton of fertilizer in 1874. The several signatures show that the same man made them. The pension of evidence and reports against pen- sion for the widow.
 Omnibus Bill of Claims
 Senator Burnham gave notice today that he would call up Monday the omni- bus claims bill. The senator hopes to secure its passage at this session. It carries the following Alabama claims:
 Cumberland Presbyterian church, Lar kinsville, $525.
 Methodist Episcopal church, Oak Low cry, S250.
 Bolivar Lodge, Jackson county, s115o.
 Missionary Baptist church, $615.
 Belle r. Neill of Marshall county, S1330.
 Mamie H. Jones and Mary E. Hereford of Madison county, heirs of John T.. Jones, $500.
 John D. Hereford, Fannie H. Jones and Martha J. Orman of Madison coun- ty and William F. Hereford of Japan, heirs of Fannie J. Hereford, deceased, daughter and heir of John T. Jones, de- ceased, s40O.
 John Mantel of Escambia county s567.
 James M. Massengale of Madison coun- ty. s61o.
 Samuel F. Ryan, formerly of Marshall county, s2712.
 Cumberland Presbyterian church of Ath- ems, $1440.
 Methodist Episcopal church, south, of Belle Fonte, 1880.
 Methodist Episcopal church, south, of Decatur, S1S50.
 Presbyterian church of Decatur $3000.
 Missionary Baptist church of Gravelly Springs, s725.
 Cumberland Presbyterian church. ne- gro, of Huntsville. $220.
 Missionary Baptist church of Hunts vile, successor to the Primitive Baptist church of Huntsville, S1760
 Primitive Baptist church, negro, of Huntsville, $909.
 Oak Grove Methodist church, south, of Jackson county s550.
 TEXAS CENSUS IS NOT