Evening star., 1919-04-27

Secretary Franklin X. Lane to inspect
the old records stored on the top floor
OF the patent office building. William
B. Rapp. who has been the custodian
OF these records for many years. will
show any doubters well preserved
book containing this letter:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WASHINGTON. d. c., June 80, 1861.
The services Of Walter Whitman Of New
dispensed with from and after this date.
JAMES HARLAN, ,
Secretary Of the Interior.
As further conclusive evidence that
Walt Whitman was employed in the
interior Department, Mr. Rapp will
also be glad to show the original coD-
les, OF the following three letters:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON. b. c., January IL, 1868
Sir Upon reporting at this department and
passing satisfactory examination you will
he appointed to hrsttlass clerkship at co0-
pensa ton OF 81. 10 per annum
am. sir. very respectfully.
Your obetlieut servant
WILLIAM T. OTTO.
Assistant secretasy.
Walt Whitman, Brooklyn. N. Y.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. January -. 1885.
Sir: You are hereby appointed to a clerkship
of the first class in the Office Of Indian affair,
OF this department. the salary Of which IL
Sl,20O per annum. to commence when you have
subscribed the inclosed oath and entered upon
duty. am. sir. very respectfully.
Your obedient servant
w. r. OTTO, Assistant Secretary.
WALT WHITMAN. Brooklyn, N. Y.
DEPARTMENT. OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON. D. C.. May IL, 1s0.
Walt Whitman OF New York is hereby Pm
moted to a clerkship OF the second class in the
ONCE Of Indian Affairs, to take effect from
and after 1st instant.
WIAILAM T. OTTO
Assistant Secretary Of the InteriaR
George w. Evans, the present chief
disbursing officer of the Interior De-
partment who has the unique and
enviable record of serving the gov
ernment in that capacity from Lin
coin to Wilson. a period of fifty five
years. says he saw whitman fire.
quently while he was employed there.
In speaking Of Whitman's visits to.
his Office to obtain xhis monthly
stipend. and the incidents concerning
his dismissal. Mr.. Evans smilingly
said
why. yes. I remember Walt Whit
man well. He was big fine looking
man, with white hair and whiskers
and his shirt always open at the coi-
lar and several buttons down. He was
a peculiar old duck, but one Of the
most lovable men that have ever been
in my Office in all the years that
have been here. I well recall the time
he was dismissed from the service.
1t seemed to create quite a stir at
tho time. l also knew Harlan we'll
He was 4 straight laced map fren.
Mount Pleasant. Iowa, who was al
ways trying to reform somebody or
SOM mething. l never liked him much.
He was appointed by President Linz
coin a short time before he was as
sassinated, Andrew Johnson allowed
Harlan to keep his job for some little
time and then made it so hot for him
that he was glad to resign.
"After leaving here Whitman ap-
piled for job at the Attorney Gen.
erals office. James Speed. Ken<
tuckan. was then Attorney General.
He inquired of Harlan as to the rea-
son for Whitman's dismiss ssal. Harlan
opened up on Waits book and gave
that as the reason. Speed just smiled
little and said ne had read the book
himself and thought 1t was pretty
good stuff and would be delighted to
give any man a job In his Office who
could write like that. providing he
was all right otherwise"
whitman worked in the Attorney
Generals office during the remainder
Of his residence in Washington.
Efforts have been made to remove
from Secretary Harlan's record the
stain OF having thus treated the great