Civil War Pension of George W. McElroy
File Contributed by Riley Goodin jrgoodin@aol.com
The following is a synopsis of the papers making up the pension file of George W. McElroy, civil war veteran, who served in the 13th KY
volunteer infantry as a corporal in Company B. George W. McElroy and his descendants lived in Montgomery and Wilson County areas of Kansas from
about 1871. When transcribing I did not correct spelling or grammar errors.
George Washington McElroy was the son of Francis McElroy and Rachael Bailey and was born in Adair County, Kentucky. About 1867 George
removed his family from Kentucky to Missouri and then on to Kansas.
Date Description of Document
1-16-1865 Examining Surgeon's Certificate. "Minnie ball struck
left arm middle third fractured ... amputation was
perfomed ...". Signed by E. J. Vaughan - Examining
Surgeon.
1-19-1865 Set of two fill in the blank forms titled Officer's
Certificate to Disability of Soldier - Invalid
Pension. One is signed by O. B. Patterson Late Capt
Co B 13th KY Vol Infty the other by E. S. Cooper Asst
Surgeon. Both documents were executed in Jefferson
County, Kentucky. They both state George McElroy as
26 years of age, 5 ft 8 in fair complexion blue eyes
light hair. Both state he was disabled by a gun shot
wound at the Battlefield of Lost Mountain, Georgia
June 17th, 1864 "at the hands of the Rebel Enemy in
his left wrist joint whiched caused amputation of said
arm". Document states he is totally disabled.
1-19-1865 Fill in the blank form Witnesses' Affidavit - Invalid
Pension Claim. Document executed in Adair County, KY
and was signed by W. Perryman and William Blair (with
his x mark) and attested to the facts of the bullet
wound.
1-19-1865 Fill in the blank form Invalid Pension Application.
Reciept from Dr. E. J. Vaughan attached charging $1.50
for examination. Dr. Vaughan states on the form "that
he is now totally unable to follow said occupationor
any other that requires manual labor". The form
states that he has lived in Louisville, Kentucky since
leaving the service. This form was witnessed by Henry
C. Gosser and ? Perryman, both resients of Adair
County, Kentucky.
1-25-1865 Notice that George W. McElroy was admitted at a rate
of $8 per month.
2-10-1865 Form letter from Department of Interior, Pension
Office requesting info on George W. McElroy. Written
on bottom of form was "wounded in action June 17,
1864".
2-18-1865 Adjutant General's Office "George W. McElroy was
enrolled on the 8th day of October 1861 at Camp Andy
Johnson in Co.B 13th Regiment of KY Volunteers to
serve 3 years. Mustered in as a private on the 31rst
day of December 1861 at Camp Hobson, KY ... September
and October 1864 he is reported A corporal in Hospital
Knoxville, Tenn he was wounded in the month of June
1864. How wounded and date not given and nature of
wound not given. He was mustered out with his company
January 12th 1865 ..." This was all entered on a fill
in the blank form.
2-23-1865 Form establishing George McElroy's pension at $8.00
per month.
2-25-1865 Certicate putting George McElroy's pension at $8 per
month commencing January 12, 1865. Paid through the
Louisville Agency. "Amputation of left arm".
11-5-1866 Fill in the blank form Application for Increase of
Invalid Pension. It was executed by George McElroy
in Adair County, Kentucky. He gives his address as
"on a road leading from Columbia to Greensburgh, Ky
about 9 miles from Columbia ...". The form was
witnessed by ? Perryman and Silas M. Roy.
12-28-1866 Form increasing George McElroy's pension to $15.00
per month.
1-3-1867 Certificate putting George McElroy's pension at $15
commencing June 6, 1866. Paid through the Louisville
Agency.
10-7-1869 Hand written court document executed in Buchanan
County, Missouri asking that the location of pension
payments be moved from Louisville, KY to Macon City,
MO. It further states that his current pension is
$15/month. Evidence of identity was provided by
Eugene Triplett and James Conover who claimed they
had been acquainted with George for over ten years.
6-28-1871 Application for artificial limb or commutation of the
same. On the form George opted for commutation and
an award of $50 for doing so. The document was
executed in Neodosha, Kansas.
3-25-1876 Fill in the blank form executed in Montgomery County
Kansas. Witnessed by Neil Mclead and J. W. Burk,
both of Montomery County, Kansas.
8-19-1876 Hand written document from Wilson County, Kansas
stating McElroy's desire to move the location of
pension payment from Louisville, KY to Topeka, KS.
Document states his Post Office address as Neodesha,
Wilson County, Kansas. It sates that he has been a
resident of Kansas for five years.
12-13-1881 Fill in the blank application identical to document
executed on 1-11-1882. The contents including the
filled in blanks were identical. This document was
attested by P. H. Gallagher and J. A. Hatcher who
both reside at Neodesha, Kansas. This document was
executed in Wilson County, KS.
1-11-1882 Fill in the blank application for Original Invalid
Pension. At the top is subscribed "New Disability".
Document states "in the month of March 1863 he
contracted diarrhea rheumatism, and disease of
kidneys from exposure and hardship incident to the
service ... disease came chronic and was followed
by dropsy". He was treated at a St. Louis,
MO hospital. Document further states he has lived
in Adair County, KY until 1869 and two years in MO
and KS the balance of the time. The document was
attested by James Williams (son in law) and W. B.
McElroy (brother). Both are residents of Neodesha.
This document was executed in Montgomery County, KS.
2-1-1882 Fill in the blank form Examining Surgeon's
Certificate describes George McElroy as 5 ft 6 inches
144 pounds complexion dark age 44 respiration 18
pulse 70. His condition is described as follows:
"Gun shot wound of arm just below the elbow entailing
loss of limb entitles applicant total 3rd grade
symptoms of scratic rheumatism of right leg which is
slightly atrophied increasing one inch less in
circumference than limb of opposite side entitles
applicant to one half of total. Pensioner well
nourished abdomen elastic functions of assimilation
normal. Not sufficient evidence of disease of kidneys
to entitle to rating 2 find his disability, as
described above, to be equal to, and entitling him to
Total 3rd grade and one half 'Total'". Document was
executed in Wilson County, Kansas by Dr. T. Blakeslee.
4-22-1882 Fill in the blank affadavit. Document is intended
to correct 1-11-1882 document. It was filled out by
George McElroy. It states "I first contacted diahee
(sic) and disease of kidneys six miles south of
Nashville, Tenn. March AD 1862. I contracted
rheumatism at Munfordsville KY. This document was
executed in Wilson County, KS.
5-1-1882 Fill in the blank form Affidavit For Commissioned
Officer or Comrade. Document executed at Columbia,
Adair County, Kentucky. Silas M. Roy signed the
document attesting to the "rheumatism in the hips and
legs" the illness for which George was applying for
a pension increase. Silas states he was a private
in Company B of same regiment as George. He also
stated he knew it to be true "cause I was in camp
with him".
5-5-1882 Fill in the blank form Affidavit For Commissioned
Officer or Comrade. Document executed at Glenfork,
Adair County, Kentucky. W. C. Cable signed the
document (with his x mark) attesting to the "diarear
and Kidney disease" and "had a spel of sicness said
by the docters to be rheumatism in the hips and legs"
Both the afflictions for which George was applying
for a pension increase. Silas states he was a
private in Company B of same regiment as George. He
also stated he knew it to be true "being a camered in
camp with him and hafe to nurse him".
3-3-1883 Notice that pension for George was raised to $24.00.
3-17-1883 Request from Pension Office to the Adjutant General
requesting a full report from the regimental and
company returns.
6-5-1883 War Department Adjutant General's Office letterhead.
The report states the followin concerning George
McElroy's service. "Febry 28th 62 first muster roll
on file he is reported absent sick - April 30th 62
same, to April 30th 64: present. June 30th absent
wounded, place or date not stated; (Regt was in
action at Resecca GA May 14th 64, at Ettamah river
GA May 24 of 64 and Dallas GA June 27th of 64 ...
List of men wounded and sick sent to Altoona from
field Hospitl 2 Div 23 A.C. shows him wounded wrist
joint comp fract ulna no operation ... No evidence
of any other disability. Books of organization are
not on file.
8-11-1883 Hand written document executed in Adair County by
Nathan G. Butler, First Lt., Company B, 13th KY Vol.
Nathan stated "George was a member of said company"
and "He states he was with the company on its march
to Shiloh and that at Nashville or rather about six
miles south of Nashville the said McElroy was taken
sick ...". The document also states "he remembers
his brothers William and Joshua Butler carried his
gun for him part of the time on the march to Shiloh
and saw McElroy participate in the said battle of
Shiloh although sick at the time".
11-9-1883 Sworn statement executed in Hart County, Kentucky by
Flavius J. Taylor, assistant surgeon of 13th Regt KY
Vols. Stated he knew George McElroy before the war
and stated he was a man of "ordinary good health and
physical ability ... while with his command in the
line of duty on the route from Nashville Tennessee to
Shiloh the said McElroy became disabled to go further
from the effects of diarrhea and general debility and
sent to a hospital at Nashville ... he did not see
said soldier again untill the summer of 62 when he
rejoined his command at Battle in East Tennessee on
the Tennessee River but he was still in feeble health
and was detailed to give medicine as nurse in the
hospital ... that during the winter of 1862 and 1863
the said Regt was on post at Munfordsville, Kentucky
and while there the said McElroy contracted
rheumatism".
10-15-1884 Fill in the blank form Examining Surgeon's Certificate
In The Case Of An Applicant For Increase Of Pension
completed at Independence Montgomery County, Kansas.
Increase warrented on the ground that "his disability
is increasing". He is described as 5 feet 8 1/2 inches
and 145 pounds. His condition was described as follows
"loss of left arm ... abdomen round and firm ... slight
tenderness in colons ... stomach slight tenderness
under spleen ... and it is our opinion that what he
attributes to kidneys is lumbago ...". The form was
signed by Dr. John L. Davis and two others.
12-1-1884 Hand written court document executed in Wilson County
Kansas providing testimony of Zilpha Ann McElroy.
She stated George was kicked by horse on November 21,
1884 and died four days later. She gave the following
birth days and ages of her children "Mrs. Mollie H.
McElroy age 23 at next birth day July 15/85 Wm G.
McElroy age 18 at next birth day February 6/85, Sallie
A. McElroy age 14 November 14/84, Maggie L. McElroy
age 10 July 1/85, Rosa A. McElroy age 7 July 17/85,
Montana D. McElroy age 4 May 15/85 herself age 47
march 6/85. Document was witnessed by J. O. Wilson
and James Williams (son-in-law) both residents of
Neodesha, Kansas.
4-7-1885 Fill in the blank form for Accrued Pension. This
document was executed in Wilson County, Kansas and
contains the affadavits of A. J. Wilkinson and A. G.
Watson. They affirmed the following "they were near
neighbors and friends to them in Adair County,
Kentucky knew they were married July 31, 1858 and
have lived together as husband and wife ever since.
5-13-1885 Fill in the blank form Declaration for Original
Pension of a Widow - Child or Children under Sixteen
years of age surviving. Document was executed in
Wilson County, Kansas. Simple application for
widow's pension. Document was witnessed by James
Williams (Zilpha's son in-law) and Frank McElroy
(Zilpha's nephew by her deceased husband's brother
William), both of Neodesha, Kansas.
10-5-1886 Typed court document executed in Wilson County, KS
concerning testimony of Dr. J. A. Hatcher who said he
had treated George from 1871 until his death. He
stated that George suffered from lumbago and
rheumatism he believed to be related to his servive
during the late rebellion. He stated he waited upon
George after he had been kicked by a horse which was
the immediate cause of death. He stated McElroy
would have likely recovered had it not been for
lumbago and rheumatism.
3-15-1887 Fill in the blank form from Department of the Interior
asking for an endorsement of Dr. J. A. Hatcher. The
back of form was endorsed in Neodesha, Kansas
attesting to the good reputation of Dr. Hatcher by the
Neodesha Postmaster whose signature I was unable to
read.
10-19-1888 Hand written court document executed in Wilson County
Kansas containing testimony of Zilpha A. Bush. She
stating that she is the applicant for pension as a
widow of George W. McElroy. Also that she remarried
but he was also deceased. She was seeking a pension
for the time between the death of George and her
second marriage and for the children of her marriage
to George. She stated the following "while the said
George W. McElroy died from the immediate cause of
being kicked by a horse, yet at the same time it is
true his health was very poor - his system out of
order - he was diseased so that the injury he received
from the kick of the horse might not have proved fatal
had he been in good health ... his left side was
wasting away ...I might add also that he was sick the
day he was kicked, and had been vomiting ..." She
gave her post office address as Montgomery County, KS.
She signed with her x mark. The document was
witnessed by James Williams (son-in-law) and Benjamin
L.J. Jones (neighbor).
Another hand written court document executed in
Wilson County, Kansas containing testimony of Benjamin
L. J. Jones. Basically he affirmed the testimony of
Zilpha given the same day. He stated he helped bury
George. This document was also contains testimony of
James Williams "he is the son-in-law of the said
George W. McElroy ... and has no interest in the
result of the widow and minor children getting
pension." James states he is a resident of Neodesha,
Kansas.
11-26-1888 Hand written court document executed in Wilson County,
Kansas. The document contains the testimony of Dr. J.
A. Hatcher. "I knew him (George McElroy) from 1861 to
the time of his death. I was his family physician from
1871 to the time of his death. He was a sound and able
bodied man when he enlisted in the army. He came out
crippled and in a diseased condition. I know he was
diseased - in a bad state of health - and was on the
physical decline at the time. His death was the
immediate cause of the kick of a horse, but he might
not have died from the injury had he been strong and in
good health. He was kicked on the right side near the
liver. I know he was afflicted with kidney disease,
chronic diarrhea and rheumatism and I treated him for
those troubles more or less while I was his family
physician and I believe those complaints may have
contributed to his death or least lessened the chances
of his recovery".
2-4-1889 Widow's pension rejection notice. "Rejection death of
soldier not chargeable to his military service".
11-4-1891 A package signed by Daniel Cline, Probate Judge, in
Montgomery County, Kansas. Pakage contains the court
document from the guardianship appointment of Benjamin
L. J. Jones. The orinal document is dated Nov 11,
1895. The document states that William G. and Sarah A.
both minors over 14 had appointed Mr. Jones as their
guardian. It also states that Zilpha A. Bush appeared
and "files her sworn petition showing to the Court that
the foregoing named minors (William G. and Sarah A.)
and the following named minors to wit: Maggie Lee
McElroy - Rosa Alice McElroy - and Montana McElroy are
of and in said County of Montgomery ... and have
property in said County which needs care and she asks
the Court to appoint Benjamin L. J. Jones guardian of
said minors". The court accepted his $1,000 bond and
appointed him guardian.
Fill in the blank form Declaration For Children Under
Sixteen Years Of Age for Rosie A. and Montana D.
McElroy. In this document Benjamin L. J. Jones states
he is their legal guardian and appoints G. E. Gilmore
as his attorney. He gives his age as 51. Birthdays
given for children as July 18, 1877 and May 14, 1881.
This document was executed in Montgomery County,
Kansas and was witnessed by J. G. Hambleton and G. L.
Remington both of Independence, Kansas. They stated
they had known Mr. Jones for 8 and 18 years
respectively.
11-9-1891 Fill in the blank affadavit executed in Wilson County
Kansas by Maria Sumner who was the midwife at the
births of Rosa and Montana. States birth dates as
July 18, 1877 for Rosa and May 14, 1881 for Montana.
11-24-1891 Fill in the blank form Declaration For Widow's Pension
executed in Wilson County, Kansas. "Zilpha A. McElroy
aged 52 years, a resident of the town of Sycamore,
County of Montgomery ... her post-office address is La
Fountaine, Wilson County, Kansas ...". The form was
attested to by Sallie A. Hurst and Charles Yoe. Sallie
resides at Lay, Kansas and Carles Yoe at Independence,
Kansas.
12-12-1891 Rejection notice to Zilpha sent to La Fountaine, Wilson
County, Kansas.
1-14-1892 A package signed by Daniel Cline, Probate Judge, in
Montgomery County, Kansas. Pakage contains affadavit
of death for George W. McElroy. It was filed by
Zilpha McElroy on 12-20-1884 and Thomas Harrison was
Probate Judge.
3-8-1892 Hand written court document containing testimony of J.
E. Taylor and E. L. Taylor, both of La Fountaine,
Kansas - ages 47 and 42. "That they was personally
acquainted with George W. McElroy from 1860 to the
time of his death and that to the best of their
knowledge and belief said George W. McElroy was not
previously married when he married Zelpha A. McElroy
widow of George W. McElroy". The document was
executed in Wilson County, Kansas.
3-9-1892 Copy of marriage license of Henry Bush and Zilpha
McElroy from probate court of Montgomery County,
Kansas.
3-10-1892 Fill in the blank affadavit executed in Wilson County
Kansas by Robert Orr attesting to the ages of Rosa A.
and Montana D. McElroy "surving him who were under
16 years of age Nov 7, 1891". He stated he knew
these facts since he lived as a neighbor for over 14
years.
Fill in the blank affadavit executed in Montgomery
County, Kansas and containing a statement from
Benjamin L. J. Jones. He states about Zilpha "That
the only means of support she has is secured by her
working her indivual half interest in 120 acres of
land and that the entire amount that she has been able
to make off her interest in all the estate of George W.
McElroy does not exceed $75.00 per year. That he knows
these facts from living a near neighbor to the family
for 21 years and assiting in the administration of the
estate of George W. McElroy and from being the guardian
of his children. That he knows $75.00 per year is not
sufficient for her support and that this amount is only
obtained by the personal labor of Zilpha A. McElroy.
3-11-1892 Fill in the blank affadavit executed in Wilson County
Kansas by Emma Callahan attesting to the ages of Rosa
A. and Montana D. McElroy "surving him who were under
16 years of age Nov 7, 1891". She stated she knew
these facts since she lived as a near neighbor.
Hand written document entered into the record of the
court at Wilson County, Kansas. The document was
attested by Dr. J. A. Hatcher. In this document he
states "That he has been acquainted with the claimant
Zilpha A. McElroy for 19 years past during which time
he has visited her family in his capacity as physician
frequently: that he knows that on or about the 25th
day of November 1884 George W. McElroy, the husband of
said Zilpha A. McElroy died; that on or about the 27th
of October 1885 the claimant was remarried to one
Henry Bush and that on or about the 15th day of May,
1886 said Henry Bush died also and that the claimant
has not since remarried; that he was her physician
shortly after the birth of the two children named
below and knows that they were born on or about the
dates mentioned and that they are still living. Rosa
A. McElroy born in Montgomery County, Kansas July 18,
1877 and Montana D. McElroy born in Montgomery County,
Kansas May 14, 1881; that he has no record of these
births but has a clear recollection of the events and
is confident the above dates are substantially correct
..."
Hand written court document executed in Wilson County,
Kansas. This document contains the statements of Emma
Callahan and Martha McLeod aged 30 and 37 years whose
PO addresses were LaFountaine and Neodosha, Wilson
County, Kansas. "That they are personnally acquainted
with above named claimant from the year 1874 and the
year 1875 respectively. That they knew her as the wife
and afterwards as the widow of said George W. McElroy;
that to the best of their recollection said George W.
McElroy died on or about Nov 25, 1884; that his widow
Zilpha McElroy now has two living children who were
under 16 years of age on Nov 17, 1891, viz Rosa A.
McElroy born on or about July 18, 1877 and Montana D.
McElroy born on or about May 14, 1881; they futhermore
testify that on or about Oct 27, 1885, Zelpha A. McElroy
was remarried to Henry Bush and that said Henry Bush
died on or about the 15th day of May 1886 that she had
no children by said Bush and that the claimant has not
since remarried; that the claimants present and only
means of support is by her working her undivided
one-half interest in 120 acres of land, one 80 of which
is worth about $10 per acre and the other, an unimproved
40 about $2.50 per acre and that her portion of the
income from this property will not exceed $100 per annum;
that they do not believe this amount sufficient for her
support and that she has no other source of income."
3-24-1892 Letter from Department of Interior Pension Office
asking for clarification on spelling of Zilpha's name.
The response was "Zilpha A. McElroy". It was sent
back from La Fountaine, Kansas.
4-20-1892 Fill in the blank form Original Pension of Minor
Children showing admission.
Fill in the blank form Widow's Pension showing rejection
"claimant remarried prior to passage of Act June 27,
1890".
4-29-1892 Notice granting $2 per month pension for Rosa A. and
Montana D. commencing November 7, 1891 and ending May 13
1897. (Montana D. turned 16 on May 14, 1897).
7-16-1895 (Note from author - I have no idea what was going on
here but the information concerning ages and
birthdates was grossly in error. Fill in blank form
Guardian of Minor Children for Pension (word Guardian
stricken). Ages given for Rosa and Maggie were 25 and
21 respectively with birth dates as November 14 1870
and July ?, 1874. PO was given as Castello, Montgomery
County, Kansas. Both Sarah and Maggie appointed John
Wedderburn of Washington D.C. as their attorney. This
document was executed in Montgomery County, Kansas and
was witnessed by J. W. Hardind and L. R. Spradling both
of Independence, Kansas.
9-16-1895 Typed court document executed in Wilson County, Kansas
containing testimony of Zilpha A. McElroy - she was not
using her surname BUSH here. She stated the following
"on or about December 1884 or January 1885 she
application for a pension as the widow of George W.
McElroy on the ground he had been kicked by a horse and
died from the injuries, that at the time of making such
statement she was not aware what was contained in her
said application that the application was written out
by another person and not in her presence and only read
over to her so that she only had a faint idea that it
contained such a statement and she was not aware that
such a statement would affect her rights to a pension
under the law, that at the time and ever since that time
she well knew that her husband George W. McElroy did not
die from the effects of injuries received from the kick
of a horse; but she does know that he died from disease
of kidneys and bowels and on the ground that he died
from those diseases and those alone she claims her right
to a widows pension. This document was witnesses by J.
H. Kager and Thomas Callahan.
11-8-1901 Fill in the blank form for Declaration of a Widow for
Restoration of Pension. Testimony of Zilpha A. Bush
a resident of "Sycamore Township" in "Montgomery"
County, Kansas. She states "That she never received
a pension as the widow of George W. McElroy but made
application for pension and was entitled to a pension
as his widow". She further states "That a pension was
not received because her marriage to Henry Bush". Her
PO address was given as LaFountain in the County of
Wilson, Kansas. She signed with her x mark. This
document was executed in Montgomery County, Kansas and
E. P. Allen and G. E. Gilmore, both residents of
Independence were witnesses.
1-31-1902 Fill in the blank form Widow's Pension. Date was the
final signature on the rejection based on "the grounds
of no title under the act of March 3, 1901 for reason
that the claimants name was never placed on the
pension roll by reason of the soldier's death as a
result of his military service required by the
provisions of said act". Form states she married
Henry Bush on October 17, 1885.
Another fill in the blank form Original Pension Of
Minor Children: Rosa A. Montana D.. The PO was given
as Castello, Montgomery County, Kansas. Rejected "on
the ground of no title for the reason that the
soldier's death from result of a kick by a horse
November 25, 1884 was not in any manner due to his
military service.
4-7-1910 Typed letter from Commissioner to Hon. P. P. Campbell
House of Representatives. Gave history of all claims
and why rejected except for the minor children claim of
Rosa and Montana.
Hand written version of the above letter.
4-26-1913 Typed letter from Wm H. Thompson, Senator to Hon. L.
Stillwell, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions.
Hon. Thompson asks to be informed of history
surrounding Zilpha's claim. Letter states Mrs Bush
lives a Sycamore, Kansas.
4-28-1913 Typed response letter from Deputy Commissioner L.
Stillwell to Hon. Wm. H. Thompson, U.S. Senate. The
letter details the results of all claims previously
filed and rejected or accepted. "There is now nothing
pending in the claim, and this ladydoes not appear to
have pensionable title under any existing law".
5-2-1913 Letter to Commissioner of Pensions from the Adjutant
General's Office at the War Department. Letter states
the following "I have the honor to inform you that upon
investigation it has been ascertained that the charges
of desertion of November 23 and 24, 1864, recorded
against this soldier by reason of failure to return to
the hospital from which furloughed October 29, 1864 are
erroneous, it appearing that he returned directly to his
company, and was mustered out and honorably discharged
with it January 12, 1865.
5-16-1913 Letter from Wm H. Thompson to Deputy Pension Commissioner
Honorable L. Stillwell. "My dear sir: Mr. George W.
McElroy was a member of Company B, 13th Kentucky Infantry,
and served in the Civil War. He has applied for relief by
special act of Congress, and I desire to be informed as to
his pensionable status, and the state of his military
record, assuming that he has filed claim at some time in
your Bureau".
5-17-1913 Letter from Deputy Commissioner to Hon. Wm. H. Thompson.
The letter acknowledges previous correspondence and
states "In your letter you say: 'He has applied for
relief by Special Act of Congress.' I do not understand
that statement in view of the facts in this case." (The
Deputy Commissioner then retypes a copy of previous
response). "It appears from a statement in that letter,
and that fact is apparent in the papers in this case,
that this soldier died November 25, 1884. Such being
the case I am unable to understand how he can now be
applying for relief by a special act of Congress".
11-11-1913 Hand written letter, dictated by Zilpha, to the
Commissioner of Pensions. Letter was originated from
Neodesha, Kansas. "Sirs: I will try and drop you a few
lines. I saw in the National Tribune that you was
passing a bill for the private war widows. I was
married two years before the war. I was the wife of a
privat soldier during the war. He went in to the war
well and hearty and lost one of his arms he never seen a
well day from that day till he died. It was impossibale
for me to prove his death for I never could. I lived
with him and took care of him untill death. He left me
with five little children to take care of. My name was
never on the Pension roll. I am so glad that you have
provided such a way for me to get a pension. I have got
to thank you for being so wise and noble men. I thank
God for sending such noble men into the world. I hope
how well you may do. Yours truly. Mrs. Z. A. Bush,
Neodesha, Kansas.
12-2-1913 Hand written letter, dictated by Zilpha, to the
Commissioner of Pensions. "Dear Sir: I received your
letter was glad to hear from you. ... I could not prove
his death he had been sick two to three dayes and one
evening three or four day befor he died I found him
between the wood yard and the house allmost dead I took
it to be heart trouble. I don't know whether it was or
not and he had no axion on his kidneys four or five
dayes befor he died. He was speachless from the time I
found him untill a few minutes before he died and the
Doctors just as soon as they seen he could speak they
ask him what hurt him and he said the horse hurt him,
but they could not find a bruse on him eny place they
were fifty or more people in the house when he said it
and that is the reasion I can not prove his death. I
was remarried a year after that. I did not marry a
soldier this time and he died seven months after we
were married. I am gettin old and not able to work and
I have work hard all my life. I do hope to the Lord
that you will give me some kind of a pension. My
husband drawed twenty dollars a month. Mrs. Zilpha A.
Bush, Neodesha, Kansas. Mr. Z. A. Bush can not see how
to write and I have written this for her. Mrs. John
Anderson".
2-7-1914 Typed letter from Commissioner to Zilpha. "In reply to
your letters dated November 11th and December 2, 1913,
you are advised that this Bureau allows pensions only as
authorized by Acts of Congress ... Your above entitled
claim for pension stands rejected of which you have been
advised".
5-12-1914 Hand written letter, dictated by Zilpha, to the
Commissioner of Pensions. "Dear Sir, I am the wife of
Geo. W. McElroy. Was married before the war. He
belonged to Co. B. 13th KY Volunteers. My husband drew
$24.00 per month for loss of an arm as long as he lived.
I remarried after Mr. McElroy Death and my second husband
only lived 8 months after our marriage. I am getting
very feeble and am not able to work any more. And would
be very grateful if you would allow me a pension during
my last days. Resp. yours, Mrs. Zilpha A. McElroy Bush".
7-20-1914 Hand written letter from Montana Anderson, Neodesha,
Kansas to Commissioner of Pensions. "Dear Sir: Has
there any pensions law past this year that will entitle
the former widow of Geo. W. McElroy of Co. B. 13th Ky
Vol. Infty. Pleas write and let me know at once as she
is getting old and is not able to work eny more. Pleas
find stamp inclose for Reply, Your respectfully, Mont.
Anderson".
8-21-1914 A typed letter from Acting Commissioner E. C. Tieman to
Mr. (confusion about whether Mont. was Mr. or Mrs.) Mont
Anderson. "Sir: In response to your letter of July 20,
1914 in which you ask whether there has been any law
passed this year that will entitle the former widow of
George W. McElroy who served in Company B 13th Kentucky
Infantry to pension, you are advised that as you fail to
state her name, the person in whose interest you write is
uncertain. You are, however, advised that there has been
no new legislation this year that would benefit former
widows of soldiers. It is not necessary to furnish
postage for replies from thsi Bureau. Your postage stamp
is herewith returned".
6-24-1915 A hand written letter, dictated by Zilpha, and written by
Mrs. J. Q. Anderson to Commissioner of Pensions. PO
Neodesha, Kansas. "Dear Sir: I thought I would write you
a few lines this morning in regards to the Widows pension.
I heard that the widows pension law had passed allowing
all war widows a pension. My husban and I were married
two years before the civil war. My husban and I had never
been married before nor there was no divorceed. We lived
together for 25 years and had six children and when he died
he left me with five little children. He has been dead 31
years. I seen in the papers wher they did not half to
prove the husban death. He drawed a pension of $24.00 a
month. I raised the little children and cared for them
tille they was married. Now I am getting very old and
helpless and can not work no more. I am 76 years old. I
had a small home but I had to sell it to get along with.
You see I realy need a pension or I would not write to you
about it. I would be thankful to get a small pension. My
husban was in the eivil war. George W. McElroy ... he
lost his Left hand in the war. Several years before he
died he lost his health so that he could not work. Pleas
send me some blanks maby I can fill them out satfactory or
give me advice how to proceed. Do this and I will be ever
so thankfully Respectfully yours, Mrs. Z. A. Bush".
7-20-1915 A typed written letter from the Commissioner of Pensions
to Zilpha A. Bush, c/o J. Q. Anderson, Neodesha, Kansas.
"Madam: In response to your letter of the 24th ultimo,
you are advised that there has been no new legislation
that benefits you in any way. As the above-named
soldier's death, in 1884, from kick from a horse, was in
no manner due to his army service, and you remarried in
1885, there is no existing law under which this Bureau
can grant you a pension or relief in any way even though
you are infirm and needy. Your above-entitled claim for
pension stands rejected, of which you have repeatedly
been advised. Very respectfully, G. M. Saltzbarger,
Commissioner".
8-7-1915 Hand written letter dictated by Zilpha to Mrs. J. Q.
Anderson (Montana McElroy). Written from Neodesha,
Kansas. "Mr. Woodrow Wilson, Washington D. C., Dear
Sir: I thought I would write you a few lines this
morning as a friend. You know a friend in need is a
friend indead. I want to ask you a favor that you will
make a special bill for me in Congress I will be 77
years old next March and I am not able to work and no
means to get along with only as I stay hear and their
with one of my children. I was the wife of said
soldier Geo. W. McElroy befor the war and up untill his
death at his death he left me 5 little children to take
care of I raised the children and took care of them up
till they marryed. I was marryed the second time and
he did not live but a few months. I want you to make a
special Bill to draw back from the time he died so that
I will have enough money to pay for the passage of the
bill in congress and so I can pay you for your trouble.
Pleas will you do this favor for me I tryed to get my
pension under the Republican President but I couldnt
for I was to much of Democrat there was nothing that
would knock me out under the old law but I could not
prove his death. Mr. Wilson pleas fix it to the very
best advantage. I thought I would send this letter to
you that it may help you out some I would write you a
few line more but I thought this would help just as
well. I would like for you to make a quick bill out of
it and have it pas in the next congress. Very
Respectfully Mrs. Z. A. Bush. Neodesha, Kansas care of
Mrs J. Q. Anderson".
9-7-1915 Typed letter addressed to Zilpha Bush c/o Mrs. J. Q.
Adams (mistake) from G. M. Salzbarger, Commissioner.
"In reply to your letter of the 7th ultimo, addressed
to the President and referred to this Bureau, you are
advised that correspondence with a view to obtaining a
pension by special act should be addressed to the
representative in Congress from your district or to one
of the United States senators from your state".
3-4-1916 Hand written letter, dictated by Zilpha, to Hon. P. P.
Campbell. "Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your letter
Feb 28 and was glad to hear from you and to know that
you are trying so hard to get my papers thrugh. In
respond to your letter about my pension George W.
McElroy is my soldier husband claim no326884 Co B rgt
KY Inf. he was my lawful husband on who service pension
is claimed. yours truly, Mrs. Z. A. Bush, Neodesha,
Kansas.
3-8-1916 Form Committee on Pensions United States Senate. Asks
for papers to be transmitted to the committee for their
use. Zilpha's address given as Neodesha, Kansas.
3-17-1916 Typed Letter from G. M. Salzgaber to the Hon. P. P.
Campbell, House of Representatives. "I have the honor
to advise you that said claim was rejected February 4,
1889 on the ground that the soldier's death was not
chargeable to his military service. Her claim under the
Act of June 27, 1890 was rejected May 13, 1892 on the
ground that claimant remarried prior to the passage of
said Act. Her claim under the Act of March 3, 1901 was
rejected February 8, 1902 on the ground that claimant's
name was never placed on the pension roll by reason of
the soldier's death as a result of his military service,
as required by the provisions of the Act of March 3,
1901. This bureau can afford Mrs. Bush no relief under
existing law".
9-25-1916 Hand written Letter, dictated by Zilpha, to Bureau of
Pensions. "Dear Sirs: I am glad that I have the
pleasure of writing you a few lines about my pension. I
saw in the paper that the pension billed had passed. I
would like for you to give me the instruction about it.
I can't fill out no application till I get a blank to
fill out. I am 77 years of age. I am not able to work
and am all most blind. I would like to get the increase.
I was pension under the Private pension bill for Mrs.
Zilpha Ann Bush that passed Sept ? 1916, the widow of
Georg W. McElroy. Hoping to hear from you soon, Your
Truly, Mrs Zilpha A. Bush, Neodesha, Kansas".
9-29-1916 This document was a certified copy of the Senate
legislation that added Zilpha A. Bush to the pension
roles at $12 per month.
10-14-1916 Pension certificate No. 815213 granting $20 per month
commencing 9-8-1916. The certiciate was later stamped
granting $50 per month from August 4, 1928.
1-19-1917 Typed letter from Honorable Charles Curtis, United
States Senates from G. M. Satzgaber Commissioner. This
letter informed the senator that Zilpha had been placed
on the pension roles.
10-7-1926 Hand written letter, dictated by Zilpha, and written by
Mrs. J. Q. Anderson. PO Address, Colton, South Dakota.
"In sending out Blank for Widows Increase you sent me
one and I had it filled out and sent it back to you and
I have not heard anything about it since why did I not
get the increase as I was married to my solder husband
George W. McElroy three years before the war in 1858 am
I not intitle to it. I hope that I am for I need it
afell bad. I am 87 years old and am not able to work
... I request consideration of my case with a view to
the allowance of the $50 rate provided by the Act of
July 3, 1926 ...".
?-?-1926 Fill in the blank form Widow's Pension. Stamped with
approval of increase to $50 per month.
6-10-1938 Change of Address form for Zilpha. Change from South
Dakota to Ge. Del. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
12-31-1938 Letter from General Accounting Office concerning $50
check to Zilpha A. Bush - deceased being signed over
to Mrs. John Anderson.
Copy of Envelope addressed to Treasury Department from
Mrs. John Anderson. Inside was a letter from Dr. Emil
G. Erickson, M.D. cerifying the death of Zilpha on
12-31-1938 at 7:50 A.M..
1-16-1939 Hand written letter by Montana Anderson to Mr. G. E.
Allen, Chief Disbursing Officer, Division of
Disbursement, Treasury Department. "Received your
letter ... regarding death of my mother Zilpha A. Bush
as I have been caring for her thru her last illness and
that quite some expense was incurred I would appreciate
it very much if you could allow me to receive the
equivalent of the amount of her last pension check
$50.00 which was returned from local post office Sioux
Falls, S. Dak under date 12-31-38. date of death Dec
31, 38 pension certificate no 815213 name Zilpha A.
Bush".
1-18-1939 Veterans Administration Finance Form 985 Memorandum For
File - Death Of Beneficiary suspending all payments.
1-23-1939 Typed letter from G. F. Allen to Director of Finance at
Veterans Administration notifying him that his office
"requested Mrs. Anderson to return all checks drawn on
the Treasurer of the United States issued in favor of
Mrs. Bush not negotiated before her death".
2-6-1939 Typed letter from Director of Finance, H. V. Stirling,
Instructing Mrs. Anderson that the proceeds of the
$50.00 check are an asset of the estate. It further
requests copies of the funeral bill, etc. Form 1055
was enclosed.
7-24-1939 Typed letter from Director of Finance to Mrs. John
Anderson, 737 South First Avenue, Sioux Falls, South
Dakota. Letter concerns last check to Zilpha -
returned because of death. Letter asks for Form 1055
to be executed for funds to be transferred to Mrs.
Anderson.
7-31-1939 Fill in the blank form executed in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota Application For Payment Of Amounts Due
Deceased Or Incompetent Civilian Employees, Officers,
And Enlisted Men In The Military Service And Public
Creditors Of The United States. States Mrs John
Anderson paid funeral expenses of $362.74 and
$121.44. Witnessed by Forrest E. Bradfield and Irven
Anderson.
8-12-1939 Letter from Director of Finance to Coon & Coon
Attorneys requesting a true certificate of death.
8-19-1939 Zilpha's Death Certificate. Cause of death Chronic
Myocarditis and Senility. Physician was Dr. Emil G.
Erickson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Date of death
December 31, 1938. Date of burial January 3, 1939.
Certicate filed January 9, 1939.
8-22-1939 Cover letter for package containing Zilpha's death
certificate.
9-2-1939 Typed letter from Director of Finance to Coon & Coon
attorneys. Asks for itemized list of funeral expenses
and last illness since those are part of the estate.
9-14/18-1939 Waiver signed by Sarah A. Hurst (witnesses La Vera
Wood and Mrs. Wm Fawcett) and Maggie Simcox
(witnesses O. Simcox and P. D. Simcox) waiving rights
to $50.
9-29-1939 Letter from Director of Finance at Pension Office to
Coon & Coon lawyers for the estate of Zilpha A. Bush.
reference letter from Mrs. Sarah Hurst and Mrs.
Maggie Simcox waving claims in favor of Mrs. John
Anderson. Letter reqests detailed itemized
statements of last illness and funeral expenses.
10-3-1939 Package from Coon & Coon Attorneys containing $2
receipt for Dr. Erickson's services and statement as
to the $1 Mrs. John Anderson spent on Ziplha Bush's
Prescription. Package includes a signed affadavit
from Mrs. John Anderson.
11-3-1939 Letter from Director of Finance concerning estate of
Zilpha A. Bush to Mrs John Anderson, 737 South First
Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Letter from Director of Finance concerning estate of
Zilpha A. Bush addressed to Mrs Sarah H. Hurst, 812
Wisconsin Street, Neodesha, Kansas.
Letter from Director of Finance concerning estate of
Zilpha A. Bush to Mrs Maggie Simcox, Route 3, Sioux
Falls, South Dakota.
Form for Notice of Disposition to be Made By Check.
This form mentions Miller Funeral Home, William
Fawcett Funeral Home, Dr. Emil G. Erickson.