The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-08-08
Many Happenings of Interest
'"stice IN Sight for Mingo Saunders.
eetnhP;.-Chicago'c Delegation to

was Aington, d. c., August T.
lhe'ie are, i'm all probability, thou
sah'ds and thousands of dollars lyins
I'LL the United States Treasury, due col
ored ex-soldiers and sailors Of the Civ.
II and Spanish-American Wars" was
the statement made recently bv Will
liam l.. HoustCn, ex-grand master OF
the Colored Odd Fellows, and now g
practicing attorney, with offices in the
D1etz Building, 7th and F streets. of
this city. Prior to ptacticing law,
Mr.. Houston was for ia number Of
years clerk in the War Department
mere, and as such, BECAME familiar
with military laws and records.
Bounty, Prize-Money and Pensions i'm
"Strong-Box.'
continuing, Mr. Houston said:
1T seems almost incredible that
colored ex-soldiers and sailors. or
their heirs, would fail to file claims
for monies rightfully due them from
the government. In many cases. how
ever, heirs are ignorant of the fact
that any money is due their relatives
VINO have -erved in either the Civil
or the Spanish-Amerfcan War. In
some cases the. money due is prize
money; in others it is bounty, arrears
IN pay or pension. During the Civil
war and during the Spanish
war; there We're many colored sailors
who served ON American ships that
captured ships Of the enemy. Such
are entitled to prize money! and r.
they did not receive it, they are still
entitled to lit. Then, there are cases
or colored soldiers or sailors who
served in the: Civil War, enlisting be-
fore certain period, who are entitled
to bounty of 500 per year served.
II they were not paid $his. bounty at
the time Of their discharge, then thew
or their heirs are still entitled to It,
and can secure it now by filing claim
Tor it. And, there are many colored
veterans Of the Civil War and some Of
tRe' Spanish-American War, who can
doubtless prove their claim to a pen
sion, or perhaps to some arrears in
pay, for in not a few instances, SOL
dier: and sailors failed to receive all
due them at the time of their dis
oharge, or perhaps, If killed, or dying
IN the service, their heirs failed to re-
celVe all that was due them as pay"
Sound Claims That Have Been Paid.
AS. Mr.. Houston practiced regularly
before the Departments at Washing
ION, he is familiar with all procedures
necessary to secure whatever Is due
colored ex-soldiers and sailors, or their
heirs, from the United States govern
ment. Mr.. Houston referred to, or
rather, cited three recent instances Of
helrs OF colored men who served eth
er In the Army or Navy branch of the
government, filing claims and securing
the money due them. In one in
stance he cited, widow made claim
for and received over $1,000; in an
other case, widow made claim and
received over $400; and in a third
case, widow was paid over $1OO. And,
he added, that in his opinion, there
are scores and scores of others, who,
II they will but file and prove their
claims, are entitled to a comfortable
sum Of money.
Mr.. Houston, noted for his public
spirit and ever willingness to help all
kinds and conditions Of mankind, stat
ed that he, himself, would gladly
lake up any case Of colored ex-soldiers
Or sailors or their heirs, which, might
be called TO his attention. "The GOV
ornment is sure pay said he. "if a
claimant proves his claim; but they
must prove all claims. White ex-
soldiers and sailors, or heirs Of the
same, are tly-daily--filing
claims. But, remarked M. Houston
It Is a rare thing for coored person
% file claim. Why our people are 30
slow, 1t is difficult to fathom. The
lime to act is now"
Improvements at Freednen's Hos