Moreover, the surgeon who amputated his leg testified that the soldier
and his parents stated that he came out of the Army without a scratch;
that on New Year's night in 1865 he became very warm at a dance; that he
went outdoors and was taken with a chill and pain in his side, which
subsequently settled in the leg and caused a gangrenous condition, and
that upon amputating the leg the artery below the knee was found plugged
by a blood clot, which caused the diseased condition of the leg and
foot.
This testimony and the other facts established and the presumptions
arising therefrom clearly indicate, in my opinion, that the claim made
for a pension by this beneficiary is without merit.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 13, 1889_.
_To the Senate_:
I return without approval Senate bill No. 3451, entitled "An act
granting a pension to Frank D. Worcester."
The beneficiary named in this bill served in the Volunteer Army from
February 4, 1863, to January 27, 1864, a period of less than one year,
when he was discharged upon the certificate of a surgeon, alleging as
his disability "manifest mental imbecility and incontinence of urine.
Disease originated previous to enlistment."
In 1880, sixteen years after his discharge, a claim for pension was
filed in his behalf by his father as his guardian, in which it was
alleged that his mind, naturally not strong, became diseased in the Army
by reason of excitement and exposure.
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