Year: 1876

the Secretary OF War; and have continued substantially
from that day forward TO the present time TO do the
same about, should say, year and half or two
years after the Of these payments
duoed the amount to 50 900 per annum the Of
this reduction was partly because OF the
bined complaints on the part OF Mt Evans and his
partner, and partly, so far a. now remember in
sequence Of an article in the newspapers about that
time rejecting on the injustice done soldiers this
fort caused by exorbitant charges made necessary
the part the trader by payment Of this
bonus; TO the best OF my knowledge and belief the
above is true statement OF all the facts the
and as complete l remember of SO
many years ago.


PAYMENT.


Question by the Chairman-State how the payments
made the Secretary OF War subsequent to the
funeral OF his then wife, which you attended in Wash
ington in December 1870 whether In cash, by check,
drait, certificate OF deposit ponds by express or
otherwise A. The money was sent according 10 tho
Instructions Of tho Secretary OF War sometimes In bank
notes by Adams Express; / think on
casions by certificates Of deposit the National Bank
OF America IN New York; sometimes l have paid him
IN New York IN person. oxcept the first payment, in
the fall of 1870 and the last December 1872 all TO
be made to the Secretary modes have stated
less perhaps, ono or two occasions at hts instance
bought government bond with the moneys inmy
hands arising from the contract with Mr.. Evans which
either sent or handed TO him.


THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BELKSAP
Question by Mr.. Blackburn-Can you state the sum,
In the aggregate, received by you under the
with Mr.. Evans, and what portion thereof you have
paid TO the Secretary OF War; including the first and
last payments which you havo stated paid
hmS A. have no memorandum whatever which
TO make answer; il very simple calculation; tho
first payment to me by Evans made In the fall OF
1870, at the rate Of $l2, 900 year. he paid that
rate about year and half two years, and since
then at the rate OF So 900 year; would aggregate
about $4,000, the one-haH Of which have disposed
OF as above stated.


Question by the Charman--Did you receive letters
from tho Secretary OF War acknowledging the receipts
OF the sums forwarded to him in the manner you have
stated or did he acknowledge the receipt of the
| IN any wayY A. Usually, when 1 sent money by ex.
press would send him the receipt Of the company
which he would either return marked 20 N" or
otherwise acknowledge the receipt OF tho same some
times paie It TO him In person in New York when no
receipt was necessary; have not preserved any
cepts or letters when sent by express always depos
tied the money personally and took a receipt for IL


Question by the Chairman-Have you at any time had
any conversations with the Secretary OF War regarding
the post tradcrshp at Fort SILL have
with HIM regarding the same? A. oh frequently
have forwarded requests to the Secretary, made
by Mr. Evans, wishing privileges about the fort such
as to sell liquors, &c don't remember what action
was taken upon them; they returned to mo
as far as know; Evans corresponded regarding affairs
al Fort Sill through with the Secretary of War;
| never heard of any other way.


Question by the Chairman-was the contract between
you and Evans the subject of conversation between
you and the Secretary or War; A. II never was AS
remember, save In one instance, but am positive
yet II seems to me when the article in the newspapers
regarding affairs at Fort SILL probably in 1872 about
the time the reduction made In the payments from
$l2 coo to 81, 900 appeared, tho next time saw the
Secretary OF War he asked If had contract with
Evans; told him had; never showed 1t to him or
any one else until produced 1t here


SUBPOENA


Question by the Charman-After receiving the tel
egraphc subpoena from the Sergeant at Arms ap-
pear before this committee, which Monday the
21st OF this month did you come to Washington and
if so, had you with the Secretary of War
| and when and whereS A. l came Washington on
Wednesday, the 23d OF this month; the house
Of the Secretary of War; stayed Wednesday night and
returned on Thursday morning; showed him the tel
egraphic subpoena and asked him what IL meant; he
said he supposed to state before the committee
what knew about transactions together; said
did like to appear, because thought my testimony
would be damaging to would mplicato him or give





stay and meet the committee: during that evening
my conversation principally with his wife, he be-
| ing present part Of the time and understand
ing tho general tenor OF conversational she sug-
/ gested that could make statement which would
satisfy the committee and excupate the Secretary she
wanted me to go before the committee and represent
that she and had business transactions together for
| many years, and that all this money had sent the
Secretary money that she had from time to time
/ deposited with kind Of banker, and that she
instructed send it to the Secretary for her.
| dined there and spent the evening and stayed oil
night retiring about twelve O'Clock; the evening
devoted discussing this matter told her the state
ment would not hold water before the COMMITTED and
even II It wouh could not mako It; at the time
! was wrought up and had such an anxiety-she
pressing pressing me about it-and having slept
but little the receipt OF the subpoena, sympa-
thizng with their condition. did not give them pos
that night went 10 bed at twelve clock
and do not suppose slept wink; they said they
would breakfast about nirc O'Clock; down at
| eight and met the Secretary Alone


MARSH BELKSAP CONFERENCE
| told him thought had better leave and get out
OF the country for would perjuro myself for any
one; could afford to have my throat cut but not
TO perjure myself; he did wish me to do that:
that could fix It up some other way; said al think
better leave tho country the Secretary said would
ruin him III lett; SAID, f go before the committee
viii surely ruin you, for win tell the truth !" he was
greatly excited; when came down stairs leave no
followed and asked me into the paror and said ~ want
make last appeal TO you to stay longer;" he said
II went he would be ruined l said would ruin him
II before the committee, and left and took tho
limited. express for New York. reaching home
| consulted my attorney, asking him II the committee
could reach me by subpoena II left tho country;
! stated the 10 him tMr Bartlctt 40 Broadway.
Equitable Building; he asked IL ! subpenaed;
told him had n telegraphIc despatch calling to
Washington he said subpoena had been duly
they could give considerable trouble but that on a
tclegraphic message they could not reach II was
out of the country; asked him how long would have