He further stated that rather than gain notoriety in the matter he would
return the checks to the special agent, but he trusted that the
Government would pay him the $600 which he had sunk in the transaction.
The woman testified that she did take some goods from Leatherbury at his
store at his suggestion, after the arrival of the checks and before she
left, about August 16, 1876, which purchases amounted to no more than
$100, and that he also advanced her $100; that he made no further
payment and wrote to her that he had to give up the checks, and that she
never indorsed the checks nor authorized anyone to do so.
Both Leatherbury and Thomas disclaimed any knowledge of the fraudulent
character of the claim; but the fraudulent claimant lived in the house
of one of them and he was assisting in procuring her claim to be
allowed, while the other made an unlawful agreement for a liberal
compensation for his services if the claim succeeded. The woman was
indicted at the instance of Leatherbury at about the time of the
issuance of the checks and fled, but if she is to be believed
Leatherbury wrote to her during her absence. After her disappearance
he ventures to pay to Thomas his illegal fee and takes possession of
the checks. He considers that she owes him $600, and the bill under
consideration gives him $601.27, the exact amount of the checks less
$700.
Someone with more intelligence than this ignorant colored woman
concocted the scheme to gain this fraudulent pension; and the
circumstances point so suspiciously toward Thomas and Leatherbury, the
claim of the latter upon the Government is infected with so much
illegality, and the amount of his advances is arrived at so loosely that
in my opinion he should not at this late day be relieved.
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