Pensions: Andrew P. Flanagin, part 2 of 4: Fredonia, Mason County, Texas Copyright © 2007 by Lewis W. Flanagin. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************************************** (3-450.) S. E. D. So. Dist. Ctf. No. 684050 Claimant: Andrew P. Flanagin Soldier: Do P. O. Address: Fredonia County: Mason State: Texas Recommendation: Further Ex. G. S. ARNOLD, SPECIAL EXAMINER ACTION. June 4th, 1896 To Roane Co., Tenn. For further examination as to origin. D. L. Murphey Commissioner MAY 12 1896 3-448. INDEX TO SPECIAL EXAMINER'S REPORT Claim of Andrew P. Flanagin, Ctf. No. 684050 PAGES. NAMES OF WITNESSES, ETC. Exhibits. Depositions. REPUTATION 1 to Index 2 Notice to claimant E 3 to 6 Summary B 7 to 11 Claimant's statement J A Good 12-13 Dr. R. J. Baze 29 B Do 14-15 D. A. Edmiston 18 C Do 16-17 Wm. Kniveton 23 D Do 18-19 J. D. Miller 24 E Do 20-21 Vincent Holt 20,21 F Do 22-23 Daniel Koonce G Do 24 Cyrus B. Lucas H Do 25-26 J. H. New I Do 27-28 Geo. W. Sanders J Do 29-30 T. B. Sanders K Do 31-32 Clmts final statement L (3-459.) Department of the Interior, OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL EXAMINER, U. S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS At Fredonia, Tex. Mar. 6, 1896 NOTICE OF SPECIAL EXAMINATION Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 To Andrew P. Flanagin, Claimant: You are hereby notified that, by order of the Commissioner of Pensions, the undersigned will, on the 6 day of Mar., A. D. 1896, and continuing thereafter as long as may be necessary, at Fredonia, County of Mason and State of Tex., and elsewhere if necessary, conduct a special examination of the aforesaid pension claim, at which time and place all material witnesses will be heard. And you are further notified that you have the privilege of being present, in person or by attorney, during said special examination, and of cross-examining said witnesses and of introducing any material evidence on your own behalf, if you so desire. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner G. S. Arnold I acknowledge service of copy of above notice this 6 day of Mar., 1896, and desire the examination to begin at once. Andrew P. Flanagin Ctf. No. 684,050 Andrew P. Flanagin G 1 Ala. Vol. Cav. P.O. Fredonia, Mason Co., Texas San Antonio Tex. May 8, 96 Sir: I have the honor to return herewith the papers in the above entitled claim and my report therein. The claim was referred for special examination to determine whether disease of eyes was contracted in the service and line of duty. Whether it existed at discharge and continued since. The usual notice was served upon the claimant. He had no desire to be present during further examination of his claim and waives notice. Claimant is a stout healthy looking man and from general appearance one would not notice that his eyes were affected. He is a man of good standing. He furnished quite a number of names of people who knew him in the different places where he resided. I made a careful canvass among the citizens of Paint Rock (It is only a small hamlet on the prairie) but could find only one man who could recall that claimant had sore eyes while living there. I might here add that after a man reaches middle age in western Texas, his eyes are usually found to be more or less affected. This is caused by the strong wind, glaring sun, blowing sand and alkali. Unless a man is badly affected, others are not apt to notice it. I however secured enough evidence to show that claimant did have some trouble with his eyes at various times since he came to Texas but it is doubtful whether the disability in any way interfered with his work until of recent years. I went to see Dr. Vaughan who now lives in Cherokee but he was not at home. It was said that he went away to be treated for the morphine habit and would be gone for several weeks. As Cherokee is in a remote part of my district and having no other work in that vicinity, I concluded that his deposition would not warrant making the trip which would require nearly a week's time. All witnesses examined are of good standing. Most are ex-Confederates and generally opposed to pensions. I consider the claim meritorious but doubt whether sufficient evidence can be obtained to establish origin. I recommend further examination as to origin as follows: Geo. W. Gilbreath Collinsville DeKalb Co. Ala. J. W. Kirkland Paint Rock Roane Co. Tenn. and these if they can be located Lt. E. J. Cobley Red Oak Montgomery Co. Iowa Wm. B. Fagan Gatewood Ripley Co. Mo. Frank Walker Nathan Grace Yerby Fretwell For continuance from 65 to 0 to Samuel Carman Scottsboro Jackson Ala. G. W. Kibble Larkinsville Ala. W. B. Kibble " " Bill Beatty Larkinsville Jackson Co. Ala. David Gould Bro-in-law " " Peter Gould " " Elij. Gould " " From 70 to 78 to Pink Ashley Orizaba Miss. Harp Steward " " Sam Steward " " Sam Snell " " Bob Snell " " Young Cox " " Henry Smith " " Samuel Carman claimant's brother-in-law can locate as many of these men as may be wanted. Respectfully, G. S. Arnold Special Examiner Hon. Wm. Lochren Comm. of Pensions Washington D.C. (3-456.) DEPOSITION A Andrew P. Flanagin Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684050 On this 6 day of Mar, 1896, at Fredonia, County of Mason, State of Tex., before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Andrew P. Flanagin, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 50 years. Occupation Farmer. Residence and P.O. as above. During the late war I served in Co. G 1st Ala. Cav. as a private. I enlisted I think in Feb. 64 and was discharged in Oct. or Nov. 65. I had no other service. I am at present drawing 8.00 per mo. under the new law and I claim pension under the general law for disease of eyes, said disability having been contracted in the service. For the five years before I enlisted, I lived in De Kalb Co. Ala. I was born and raised there. Lived near Hendrixville. For about a year I lived in Walker Co. the first year of the war. I moved back to De Kalb Co. the second year of the war. Moved back to the old neighborhood. I was not sick at any time before the war except in '62 just before I enlisted I had the pleurisy. I was sick 8 or 10 days. I had a doctor but he was a new man and I can't recall his name. Dr. Carothers (now dead) was our old family physician but he never treated me unless perhaps for chills when I was a child. Josh Graves, Bill Graves, Alex. Graves and Geo. Gilbreath all farmers. John Milwee. Hiram Smith. Jas. Roden all farmers were my neighbors. All lived in the vicinity of Hendrixville. I don't know whether they are all living now. I have not heard from them for a long time. I enlisted in Mooresville Ala. and was examined. Don't recall the name of the doctor. He was our regimental doctor. He pronounced me sound. While I lived in Walker Co. my post office was Jasper. I lived 15 miles N.E. Thomas Wilson my uncle, Bill Watts, Jim Abbott, and Cafe Abbott all farmers were neighbors. Jasper was their post office but there is a new post office in there now. I don't know the name. It was in May or June at Kennesaw Mountain while I was on picket, I first noticed my eyes were affected. We were not stationed there but were in camp only for the night. My eyes got to hurt and burn me and we called it the red sore eyes. It came on suddenly in the night. I had not been sick before that. The next morning I reported to the doctor (our regimental doctor) and he put something in my eyes and told the orderly sergeant (I can't recall his name) that carried me there to put me on double duty that there was nothing the matter with me. I did not go to him for treatment anymore. The next morning after my eyes became sore, I was on duty at 10 o'clock and the colonel came along and noticed my eyes were sore and asked me what I had been doing. He then relieved me and I went into camp. Geo. E. Spencer was the name of the colonel. Geo. Gilbreth my bunkmate and Wm. Fagan, Bill Kirkland, Franklin Walker, Jno. Brown (now dead), Nathan Grace, Yerby Fretwell, these men I think messed with me at that time and knew of the condition of my eyes. I can't say where these men are now living. My eyes continued to give me trouble from time to time during the service but I had no further treatment and continued to duty except occasionally the officers would excuse me for a day or so at a time. Our lieutenant, E. J. Cobley, I think would know all about my condition if he could be found. I can't now recall of others that would know. I think all whose names are on the list of comrades ought to know. Sore eyes were not epidemic at the time. I can't recall of others affected. My opinion is that it was due to exposure. I can think of nothing else that would have caused it. I was mustered out with the command and went to Larkinsville, Ala. and followed farming. I lived on various farms in the vicinity of Larkinsville for 5 years and then went to Orizaba Miss. G. W. Kibble, W. B. Kibble, Bill Beatty, Bill Blasangin, Samuel Carmen, David Gould, Peter Gould, Elij. Gould, all farmers were my neighbors and knew me well while I lived in the vicinity of Larkinsville. As far as I know these men still live in that vicinity with Larkinsville, Jackson Co. as their P.O. Samuel Carmen (my brother-in-law) now lives in Scottsboro Ala. He would probably be able to locate the others. After I went to Miss., I lived near Orizaba for 8 years following farming. Pink Ashley, Harp Steward, Sam Steward, Sam Snell, Bob Snell, young Cox, Henry Smith, William Foote, Dave Pride, all farmers and neighbors all in the vicinity of Orizaba. I then came to Tex. and settled 14 miles S. W. of Goliad. I had no treatment for my eyes up to this time. Got perhaps a little eye water occasionally. I lived in Goliad Co., Tex. for about 3 years. Geo. Sanders, Jack Sanders now at San Antonio, Tx., Bill New, Jake New, Joe Burress, Cyrus Lucas, H. Rollins were my neighbors and at that time farmers and stockmen. They lived neighbors in Goliad Co., I had no medical treatment in Goliad Co. but got medicine occasionally. I next went to Paint Rock Concho Co. and lived there 7 or 8 years. I got there in March '80. Geo. Kemp, Newt Kemp, Cas. Guller, J. E. House, W. T. Melton, D. A. Edmiston, these men knew me in Paint Rock. While I lived in Paint Rock I followed freighting. I then moved to this vicinity and have lived here ever since. It was in the fall of '76 that I came down here. Dr. W. M. Vaughan commenced to treat my eyes soon after I came here. He treated them off and on for about 3 years. He failed to give me relief. Dr. R. J. Baze treated me about a year continuously in '91 or '92 and gave me medicine occasionally since. At times, I am unable to see at all. My eyes continue to grow worse each year. The doctors call it granulated sore eyes. I did not suffer from any sickness until 4 or 5 years ago I had la grippe. Dr. Vaughan treated me. I can't say that it made my eyes worse. My eyes are worse in hot weather. I have no desire to be present during any further examination of my claim and waive notice. I have understood your questions and I am recorded correctly. Andrew P. Flanagin Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6 day of Mar., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION B Robert J. Baze Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 6 day of Mar, 1896, at Mason, County of Mason, State of Tex., before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared R. J. Baze, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 24 years. Occupation Physician and surgeon. Residence and P.O. as above. I have practiced medicine for the last 6 years. I am a graduate of the Memphis Hosp. and Med. Col. I practiced medicine in Fredonia for two years during '91 and '92 and during that time I treated claimant and perhaps prescribed for him later. I treated him for granular conjunctivitis and iritis. I can't now recall that he suffered otherwise. He told me his eyes became diseased in the army I think from exposure and he said his eyes have been more or less granulated ever since. The condition of his eyes I found to be chronic and of long standing. The condition of his eyes seemed to be growing worse during the time I knew him. I could not discover any evidence of vicious habits. I tried to inquire into the cause but failed to discover the specific cause. At times he is so that he cannot see at all and is therefore unable to work. At other times he sees fairly well and can do some work. I would consider him disabled about one-half during the time I knew him. I did not see him more than once or twice for the last 4 years. I made an affidavit in this claim and now recall the facts as recorded. I am not related and have no interest. I am recorded correctly. Robert J. Baze Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6 day of Mar., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION C D. A. Edmiston Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 10 day of March, 1896, at Paint Rock, County of Concho, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared D. A. Edmiston, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 56 years. Occupation Farmer. Address Paint Rock. Residence 8 miles S. E. of Paint Rock. I first became acquainted with claimant in the fall of '76. I was then living in Goliad Co. and he came there from Mississippi. From the time he came there up to '85 we lived near neighbors. Sometimes we lived in the same house. Were both farming then. At the time he came to Goliad he had some trouble with his eyes. They were weak and sometimes sore. In the summer of '78, I think it was, he was blind for a while so that he could do no work. His eyes were never well since I became acquainted with him in '76. I do not know what was the matter with his eyes unless it was chronic sore eyes. We came to Paint Rock at the same time and lived neighbors here up to '86 when he moved away. He followed freighting while he lived here. His eyes were so bad at times that he could not go on the road. His eyes were red and anybody should have noticed his condition. He informed me that his eyes became sore during the late war. Don't recall that he told me in what way they first became sore. Aside from the sore eyes his health was generally good. I had forgotten that I made an affidavit in this claim but recognize my signature. The facts are correct as recorded. It was during the hot weather that he suffered most from his eyes. I don't think I saw him for the last 3 years. I am quite positive that he suffered with his eyes off and on since I first became acquainted with him up to the present time. I am distantly related. His wife and my wife are cousins. I have no interest. I have understood your questions and I am recorded correctly. D. A. Edmiston Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 10 day of Mar., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION D William Kniveton Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 7 day of March, 1896, at Fredonia, County of Mason, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared William Kniveton, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 47 years. Occupation Postmaster. Residence and P.O. as above. I have been living in this vicinity for the last 13 years. I have known claimant for the last 10 years or ever since he came to this neighborhood. I have seen him quite frequently since he came here. From the time I first knew him he has been subject to sore eyes. Some times he could not see to get about. It seemed to me that his eyes were sore at all times since I knew him. During the last year or two they seem to be better than usual so far as my observation goes, but they may be as bad as ever. They are worse at times than other times. I don't recall that he ever told me how long his eyes were in that condition or how they ever became sore. I never knew just what was the matter with his eyes, simply noticed that they were sore. Claimant is a man of good habits so far as I know. I made an affidavit in the new law claim stating that his condition was not due to vicious habits. I do not know that claimant suffers from any disability except his eyes. I am not related and have no interest. I am recorded correctly. Wm Kniveton Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7 day of Mar., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION E J. D. Miller Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 7 day of March, 1896, at Fredonia, County of Mason, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared J. D. Miller, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 49 years. Occupation Farmer. Residence and P.O. as above. I have been living here for the last 17 years and have known claimant from the time he came here which I think must have been about 10 years ago. He has suffered with his eyes ever since I knew him. I don't recall of ever meeting with him when he was free from his trouble. He told me that his eyes first became sore in the army from taking cold and have been sore ever since. I know his eyes are worse in hot weather and are so bad that at times he is unable to work. I can't say how much of his time he is in that condition but recall that on several occasions I was at his house when he told me he was unable to work on account of his eyes. I can't say whether or not his condition has grown worse since I first knew him. I have seen claimant quite often until within the last year. I did not see him so often. I used to see him every week or two but now it is sometimes several months before we see each other. I am not related and have no interest. I have understood your questions and I am recorded correctly. J. D. Miller Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7 day of Mar., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION F Vincent Holt Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 7 day of March, 1896, at Fredonia, County of Mason, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Vincent Holt, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 63 years. Occupation Farmer. Residence and P.O. as above. I have lived here 8 years. From the close of the late war up to about 12 years ago, I lived in Goliad Co. and while living there I first became acquainted with claimant. I can't recall what year it was when I first got acquainted with him but it was when he came there from Miss. It was perhaps about '71. We lived neighbors there for the time he lived there. Some times he suffered with his eyes then and at other times they seemed to be all right. He was able to do all kinds of work. I don't know what was the matter with his eyes or how long he was troubled in that way. A great many people throughout the country had sore eyes at that time. I had sore eyes myself then. I don't know whether claimant had sore eyes before he came to Texas or not. After he lived in Goliad Co. a few years he left and came out in this country, I think to Concho Co. I did not see him again until about 7 years ago I saw him in this neighborhood. I saw him frequently since. At times he suffers with his eyes and at times his eyes appear to be all right. I know nothing about his treatment for his eyes. I never knew his eyes to be so bad that he could not get around. I can't notice that his condition is growing worse during the last year his eyes seemed to improve so far as I noticed. I can't recall that I ever heard him say that his trouble originated in the army. I made an affidavit in this claim and it was written by somebody else. I think by claimant himself. He made a mistake when he said I knew his eyes were sore all the time. I know only what I have told you that his eyes were sore from time to time and at times apparently all right. I can't recall that they were sore at the time I first saw him. I am not related and have no interest. I have understood your questions and I am recorded correctly. Vincent Holt Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7 day of Mar., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION G Daniel Koonce Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 9 day of April, 1896, at Skidmore, County of Bee, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Daniel Koonce, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 55 years. Occupation Farmer. Residence and P.O. as above. From 1860 until 1889 I lived in Goliad Co. I recall a man named Flanagin as living in that neighborhood sometime between 1874 and 1878. I can't say how long he lived there. Perhaps two seasons but I am not sure. We lived about 4 or 5 miles apart. We were both farmers. I saw him occasionally but was not about him very much. At this time I fail to recall of any sickness or disability from which he suffered while I knew him. I do not recall that he had sore eyes. I can't say that he had not, but I don't remember that he had any trouble with his eyes. I do not know where he went from Goliad Co. but think he went to Paint Rock, Concho Co. I have not heard of him since he left Goliad Co. I do not know where he came from but my understanding was that he came from Mississippi. I did not know that he had served in the army. I never knew him to be sick. As far as I know he was an able bodied man and able to do all kinds of work. I am not related and have no interest. I am recorded correctly. Daniel Koonce Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 day of April, 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION H Cyrus B. Lucas Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 8 day of April, 1896, at Beeville, County of Bee, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Cyrus B. Lucas, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 39 years. Occupation Stock man. Residence and P.O. Berclair Goliad Co. Tex. I have lived in Goliad Co. all my life. I recall a man named Flanagin that came to Goliad Co. and lived in my neighborhood perhaps a year or two. He came early in the seventies. I think he came from Mississippi. I can't remember anything about any disabilities from which he suffered. I can barely recall the man. I was quite young then. I can recall nothing about the condition of his eyes. I barely recall that there was such a man. I am not related and have no interest. I am recorded correctly. Cyrus B. Lucas Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8 day of April, 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-456.) DEPOSITION I J. H. New Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 9 day of April, 1896, at Mineral City, County of Bee, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared J. H. New, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 46 years. Occupation Farmer. Address as above. From the fall of 1858 up to 1880 I lived in Goliad Co. Tex. In 1871 or 1872 A. P. Flanagin came to Goliad Co. from Mississippi and we then lived in the same neighborhood during the time he lived in the county. We lived about 5 miles apart and were both farmers. I saw him quite often. He went to Concho County in '78 or '79. I am not quite sure as to the exact time he came to Goliad Co. At the present time I can't recall of any disability from which he suffered but know he was afflicted in some way. As far as I know he was always able to do his work as a farmer. I can't now recall that he was laid up with any sickness at any time. I recall the fact of his having weak eyes but can't now recall that he ever complained about his eyes or that they were quite sore at any time. It is now too long to remember. I know his eyes were at times red and inflamed. In 1880 I went to Concho County and lived there until 1883 and while living there I lived in Paint Rock and saw Flanagin there quite often. We lived neighbors. He there followed freighting. He had gone there a year or two before I did. I can't recall more of his condition while there except that his eyes were worse in that prairie country. At times his eyes were worse than at others. I don't recall that he told me how his eyes first became sore. I only recall that I noticed his eyes were sore and can't recall that he talked to me about it but think he did. I can't recall whether or not he was being treated for his eyes while I knew him. He was still in Concho Co. when I left in '83 and I have not seen him since. I was only a boy while he lived in Goliad Co. and was not apt to notice the condition of his eyes but clearly recall that they were sore to some extent while I knew him. I am not related and have no interest. I am recorded correctly. J. H. New Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 day of April, 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-446.) DEPOSITION J Geo. W. Saunders Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 28 day of March, 1896, at San Antonio, County of Bexar, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Geo. W. Saunders, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 42 years. Occupation Livestock dealer. Residence and P.O. San Antonio Tex. I have lived in this city since 1880. I came here from Goliad Co. where I had been living since 1859. I am personally acquainted with claimant. He married a cousin of mine. We lived neighbors in Goliad Co. for some 6 or 7 years. I think he came there from Mississippi. I do not recall that he suffered from any sickness or disability except sore eyes. He always had sore eyes. They were red and inflamed. His eyes were in that condition when he came there and they were in that condition when he left there to go to the western part of the state. I don't recall that I ever heard him say what brought on that condition of his eyes. I heard that he had been a Yankee soldier but don't recall where I heard it. He was a man of good habits as far as I know. He was no drinking man. I recall that his eyes were worse at times and some times he wore goggles. I did not see him for several years. When I saw him last his condition was apparently the same. I have no interest. I am recorded correctly. Geo. W. Saunders Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 day of Mar., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-446.) DEPOSITION K T. B. Saunders Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 7 day of May, 1896, at Sayers, County of Bexar, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared T. B. Saunders, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 79 years. Occupation Farmer. Residence and P.O. as above. From 1859 until 1884 I lived in Goliad County and while living there I was acquainted with claimant. He married a niece of mine. He lived on my place two years. I think it must have been about 1870 to 1872. At this time I fail to recall that he was suffering from any sickness or disability. As far as I know he was a strong man and able to do all kinds of farm work. I never noticed that his eyes were affected or that he ever complained about his eyes. I never heard him say anything about having been in the army. I never saw him after he left Goliad Co. until about 4 or 5 years ago I saw him in San Antonio and we stayed over night together at the house of my son. I did not notice then that his eyes were affected and he did not complain. He was always a sort of a blink eyed fellow but I never knew his eyes to be sore. I have no interest. I am recorded correctly. T. B. Saunders Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7 day of May, 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner (3-590.) CLAIMANT'S STATEMENT DEPOSITION L Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684,050 On this 6 day of Mar, 1896, at Fredonia, County of Mason, State of Texas, before me, G. S. Arnold, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared. A. P. Flanagin, the applicant in the aforesaid pension claim, who says: Q. If it should become necessary to further examine your claim, by taking the testimony of witnesses elsewhere, do you desire to be present in person or be represented by an attorney, or both, at such further examination? If so, you will be notified as to the place and time when it is to be made. A. I do not. Q. Should you change your mind and desire to be present, or be represented by an attorney during any further examination of your case, will you at once address a letter to the "Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.," giving the name and the number of your claim, informing him that you have so changed your mind, and desire to be notified when your claim is to be further examined? A. Yes. Q. State the name of the persons and their post-office addresses, instrumental in the prosecution of your claim for pension. A. Geo. E. Lemon, Washington D. C. Q. State what contract or contracts you have made with such person or persons for their services in prosecuting your claim for pension, and whether such contract or contracts were written or verbal. A. Promised $25.00. Written contract. Q. State the amount of fees paid by you or at your instance, to whom paid, and all the circumstances connected with the transaction. A. Paid $10.00 for the new law claim. Nothing for this claim. Q. Please give me the names of all witnesses that you desire examined elsewhere, with their post- office addresses, and also state what you expect to prove by each witness. A. I have none that I have not already mentioned. Q. Have you any complaint to make as to the conduct, manner, or fairness of the examination of your claim? If so, please state specifically what it is. A. I have no complaints. Q. Do you desire any more testimony before me? A. I do not. Andrew P. Flanagin Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6 day of March, 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. G. S. Arnold Special Examiner. (3-450.) S. E. D. So. Dist. No. 684050 Claimant: Andrew P. Flanagin Soldier: same P. O. Address: Fredonia County: Mason State: Texas Recommendation: Fur. Exn. THOMAS R. HARDWICK, SPECIAL EXAMINER ACTION. Feb. 24, 1897 To Ripley, Co. Mo. origin. D. L. Murphey Commissioner JAN 19 1897 3-448. INDEX TO SPECIAL EXAMINER'S REPORT Claim of Andrew P. Flanagin, Ctf. No. 684050 PAGES. NAMES OF WITNESSES, ETC. Exhibits. Depositions. REPUTATION 1 to Index 2 to 3 Summary 4 -5 Geo. W. Gilbreth A Good 6-9 Jefferson W. Kirkland J B Good 10-11 Wm. E. Baty C Good 12-13 Saml Carmen B D Good 14-15 Abigail Flanigan E Good 684050 Andrew P. Flanagin G1 Ala. Vol. Cav. P.O. Fredonia, Mason Co., Texas Chattanooga, Tenn. Jan. 16, 1897 Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. Sir, Herewith I have the honor to return with my reports all papers in above cited claim. Case was referred to the S.E.D. and came here for further examination as to origin. I have taken such testimony as to origin and continuance and prior soundness as is obtainable here. Prior soundness is established. Continuance is established so far as this testimony can prove. Peter Gold (or Gould) and G. W. Kibble had no material recollection of claimant, so I took no deposition from them. I took statement of Wm. C. Baty. The others named in vicinity of Larkinsville are dead, viz. W. B. Kibble, David Gould (or Gold), Elijah Gold and Bill Blasingame. There seems to me to be merit in the case and I recommend further examination as to origin and continuance, as follows, For origin, Lt. E. J. Cobley, Red Oak, Montgomery Co., Iowa Wm B. Fagan, Gatewood, Ripley Co., Mo. For continuance, Pink Ashley, Orizaba, Miss. Harp Steward " " Sam " " " Sam and Bob Snell " " Young Cox " " Henry Smith " " Very respectfully, Thos. R. Hardwick Specl. Exr. (3-446.) DEPOSITION A George W. Gilbreth Case of A. P. Flanagin, No. 684050 On this 13 day of January, 1897, at near Collinsville, County of De Kalb, State of Ala., before me, Thos. R. Hardwick, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared George W. Gilbreth, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am 52 yrs. old. Farmer. P.O. Collinsville, Alabama. I served in G1 Alabama Cavalry from Spring 1864 to October 1865. Andrew P. Flanagin was in my company. I bunked and messed with him. I knew him before the war near Cott? (near here) it is called now. And I enlisted with him. He looked to be a sound well man at enlistment. I don't remember that he had any ailment nor complaint before enlistment. He was never in the Confederate army. My recollection is he was not wounded. We had chills and fever in the summer of 1865 about July or August at Decatur, Ala. All of the Company had it and claimant had it. I don't remember if he got well of it or had any bad results from it. I don't remember if he had any other ailment, sickness, disability or complaint in the service. We were discharged together and we came together from Huntsville, Alabama to Larkinsville, Alabama at discharge. I would say his condition was usually good. I don't remember if he had any ailment or complaint then. William Fagan I think came home with us. He is northwest in Missouri or Arkansas. I don't know his address. I believe it is Ripley P. O. or Ripley Co. Mo. He was in same company. I don't remember that he had any trouble with his eyes at that time. I saw him one time after the war, but I can't say bout his eyes then. I don't recollect that he had any complaint with his eyes in the Co. or before the war. Yes, sir. I bunked and messed with him pretty much all the time. He and I and William Fagan and John Baty (whereabouts unknown) were messmates. Several others too if I could think of their names. William Kirkland and Franklin Walker were messmates. I don't know where they are. E. J. Cobley our Lieutenant is or was at Red Oak, Iowa. I corresponded with him there 4 or 5 yrs ago. I have heard you read claimant's statement as to his eyes. When the Co. was at Kennesaw Mt., I was sick in hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn. and rejoined the Co. July or August 1864 at Rome, Georgia. I can't recollect anything wrong with his eyes. Our Orderly Sergeant was Samuel Byers. He was from Jefferson County, Alabama. Don't know where he is now. I have heard you read this statement and I am correctly recorded. George W. Gilbreth Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13 day of January 1897, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. Thos. R. Hardwick Special Examiner (3-446.) DEPOSITION B Jefferson W. Kirkland Case of A. P. Flanagin, No. 684050 On this 14 day of January, 1897, at near Paint Rock, County of Roan, State of Tenn., before me, Thos. R. Hardwick, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Jefferson W. Kirkland, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am about 53 or 54 yrs. old. Farmer. P.O. Paint Rock, Tenn. I served in G1 Ala. Cav. Enlisted March 1864 discharged Oct. 20, 1865. I had no Confederate service. I never knew Andrew P. Flanagin until I met him in G1 Ala. Cav. He came in about a month after I did. I messed with him. I believe Geo. Gilbreth bunked with him. Q. Was claimant sick, injured, or disabled in the service? A. He was sick several times. I think he had ??? fever at Flat Top, Ga. just before we got to Marietta, Ga. I can't give the date only it was 1864. His eyes got enflamed in camp. The first I discovered it we were on picket at Rome, Ga. in the fall of 1864. (I can't give the month). His eyes were enflamed and sore. I don't know what caused it. I don't think it was due to any vicious habit. His eyes were red and enflamed just like a person with sore eyes. The night on picket when I noticed it particularly at Rome Ga. it was rainy and cold and I noticed his eyes. The doctor (regimental) excused him from duty in fall 1864 just when it began to get cool. I can't say the doctor's name. No, he never went to hospital. He and I both went to the Dr. together and were both excused--he for sore eyes and I for sore head. I don't remember what the Dr. told him in particular, but I know the Dr. gave him medicine and told the Lt. not to put him in the ???. I saw him give the medicine. He was excused by the Dr. before we got to Kennesaw. Since I think of it, I think we may have been to the Mt. and ordered back to Rome but I am not certain of that. Q. Did the Dr. or the Capt. or Col. or Lt. or some other officer excuse claimant? A. He was always excused by or through the order of the Dr. He was just excused from ???. I can't say if it was for a few hours or a few days. His eyes were sore from then on until we were mustered out. They would enflame and then they would get better. I think his eyes were a little better the day we were mustered out but they were still sore. I can't say what sort of medicine the doctor gave him. Never wore glasses in the army. He was excused several times always for sore eyes but I can't say time nor place. I think he had ??? fever after his eyes were sore. Both of us had it. We lay in camp three or 4 days. The same Dutch doctor attended us. I don't know it if he was over in hospital. I never knew the doctor to refuse to excuse him. Don't think he was ever put on ambler duty. I visited him near Scottsboro, Ala. about the fall of 1866. I just stayed all night with him. His eyes were then in a bad condition. He was wearing goggles and his eyes were red and still enflamed. I have never seen him since. He and I had a fight-along in the spring of 1864, soon after we enlisted and he bit my finger off. But it grew back and is perfectly stiff. At that time he had no ailment as far as I knew. I never knew it if he had any venereal trouble. He wasn't that sort of a fellow. I have made former statement in the case. It ??? draws in my mind he chilled a time or two in the service but I don't recollect when nor where. I don't think he had measles. I have heard you read this statement and I am correctly recorded. J. W. Kirklin Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14 day of January 1897, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. Thos. R. Hardwick Special Examiner (3-446.) DEPOSITION C Wm. E. Baty Case of A. P. Flanagin, No. 684050 On this 16th day of December, 1896, at Scottsboro, County of Jackson, State of Ala., before me, Thos. R. Hardwick, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Wm. E. Baty, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am 50 yrs. old. Have been a farmer most of my life. I buy barter now. P.O. Scottsboro, Ala. I served in B. G. Gilbreath's Co. of Union Army and I served also in the Confederate army. I entered the Confederate army early in spring of 1863 and I came home after the surrender in 1865. I knew Andrew P. Flanagin and were sort of raised up together. I am not related to him. Prior to the war he was a sound well man and he had no ailment. I went to school with him when we were children. We lived near in De Kalb Co., Ala. near Van Buren. I saw him when he came back from the army. I don't think he had a Confederate service. When I saw him on his return in fall of '65 he had a red rim about his eyes. This is his eyes were red around the edges. I think his eyes were running water. I don't remember whether he was treated for his eyes or not. I didn't know that he had any trouble but his eyes. He said his eyes hurt him and were weak. After the war he first went back to De Kalb Co. and then moved to this Co., the same year near here between this place and Larkinsville and he was in Alabama several years. I can't say just how long. Then he moved to Texas and I have never seen him since. I have heard of him through other parties but I have not heard from him. I don't remember that his eyes got any better and as I remember him his eyes had that red rim around the edges like a chronic sore eyes when he left. I don't recollect that I heard him say how he contracted his eye trouble but it seems like he said he got it by laying out on the ground in bad weather in the service. His eyes were not red before the war. I never knew him to have any venereal disease. I have heard you read this deposition and I am correctly recorded. W. E. Baty Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16 day of Dec., 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. Thos. R. Hardwick Special Examiner (3-446.) DEPOSITION D Samuel Carmen Case of A. P. Flanagin, No. 684050 On this 17 day of Dec, 1896, at near Tupelo, County of Jackson, State of Ala., before me, Thos. R. Hardwick, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Samuel Carmen, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am near 63 yrs. old. Farmer. P.O. Box Tupelo, Alabama. I served in Malones Co. 3 Confederate Cavalry from March or April 1863 to September 64. Before the war, I lived near Hendrixville, De Kalb Co., Alabama about 6 or 7 miles from Van Buren-Andrew P. Flanagin lived near me-He was a sound, well man before he went in the army. He went out in the Union Army in cold weather and in 1863 or 1864. I had come home from the Confederate Army-I may have gotten my enlistment wrong and gone in in 1862 and came out in fall of 1863-Yes. I went out March or April 1862 and came home the next year in the fall of 1863 and claimant was a well man at that time. He had no Confederate service. I moved to this county on March 27, 1864, to Larkinsville, Alabama, and was living there when he came home from the army in the fall after the surrender in 1865. He came directly to my house and I think he came from Decatur, Alabama. He had no complaint that I recollect of but his eyes-his eyes looked red all around and the balls and lids too looked red and mattery. I don't recollect if he did anything for his eyes-I don't think he stayed more than a day or two or three and I am not sure if he was going to or from Decatur, Alabama. He just stopped off to see me. I don't think he had been discharged then, but I think he was discharged about a month later. He came to my house again in a short time, I'll say, inside of a month, and then he was discharged and his eyes were still sore, looked "red and angry." He was just passing through. He then lived in the vicinity of Larkinsville, Alabama, and was there several years-I won't be sure how long-but I knew him as long as he was there and I lived in adjoining houses to him in 1867 and in 1866 I lived in two miles of him for a part of the year-and the rest of the time I was six or seven miles of him and saw him every two or three weeks. His eyes continued sore all the time he was here. I don't recollect him going back to De Kalb after the war closed. He left here and went to Mississippi somewhere and then to Texas I heard-I saw him once while he was in Mississippi. He came back on a visit once. His eyes were still a little sore. Sometimes his eyes were worse than they had been at others. I don't think he ever told me where he contracted his sore eyes-I never knew him to have any venereal disease-he had good eyes before the war-I have made former statement for him. I have heard you read this statement and I am correctly recorded. Samuel Carmen (his mark) Attest: Charlie McLendan Samuel Carmen Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of December 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. Thomas R. Hardwick Special Examiner (3-446.) DEPOSITION E Abigail Flanagin Case of A. P. Flanagin, No. 684050 On this 17 day of Dec, 1896, at near Tupelo, County of Jackson, State of Ala., before me, Thos. R. Hardwick, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Abigail Flanagin, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am 78 yrs. old-I am the widow of James Flanagin. P.O. Box Tupelo, Alabama. I am the mother of Andrew P. Flanagin-who is living in 3 miles of Fredonia, Mason Co., Texas. He was born and raised in Wills Valley, De Kalb Co., Alabama. He never was in the Confederate Army. Before the war he was as sound and well a boy as anybody. His eyes were perfectly good and he never even had the sore eyes when he was an infant. He went into the army in April 1864 and came out in the fall after the surrender-when he returned from the army. I had moved Larkinsville, Alabama, in Jackson County, and he came home there and lived in one mile of Larkinsville in 1866 and in 1867 he had married and lived in adjoining houses to Mr. Samuel Carmen and then moved near Larkinsville and lived with Buck Kibble, who is dead. When he got home from the army, he had no complaint but his eyes hurt him and they looked red-The edges of his eyes were very red and the white of his eyes had red streaks through them. I don't know if he went to a doctor for his eyes or not. I used to tell him simple things to do for his eyes-one thing I remember was to tell him was to wash in "yellow pecoon" what the doctors called golden seal and that is mostly what he washed them with. I lived with him for part of two years after he came home and then I saw him every two or three weeks as long as he stayed here-about five or six years. His eyes were always red after he came home from the war. He moved to Mississippi and the nearest post office was Orizaba, Mississippi. I went out to him after he had been there about a year and lived with him two years and came back-he still had sore eyes-I returned to him again in about a year and stayed over a year and he went to Texas and I never went-my husband (dead) and I remained in Mississippi and in about three or four or five years I went out to Texas and was with him a year and ten months near Fredonia and then I came here and I haven't seen him since. He has suffered with his eyes during all the time since the war every time I have ever seen him or heard from him. No, sir, he had nothing the matter with his eyes before the war-I have heard you read this statement and it is correct. Abigail Flanagin (her mark) Attest: Charlie McLendan Samuel Carmen Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of December 1896, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. Thomas R. Hardwick Special Examiner (3-450.) S. E. D. So. Dist. No. 684050 Claimant: Andrew P. Flanagan Soldier: " " P. O. Address: Fredonia County: Mason State: Texas Recommendation: Furth. Exam. J. B. ENNIS, SPECIAL EXAMINER ACTION. May 19, 1897 Further examination Tippah Co. Miss. Continuance. ??? Commissioner APR 29 1897 3-448. INDEX TO SPECIAL EXAMINER'S REPORT Claim of Andrew P. Flanagin, Ctf. No. 684050 PAGES. NAMES OF WITNESSES, ETC. Exhibits. Depositions. REPUTATION 1 to Index 2 to 3 Summary 4 -5 William B. Fagan B. J. 12 A Good 684050 Andrew P. Flanagin, G 1st Ala. Cav. Fredonia, Mason Co., Texas Jonesboro, Ark. April 26 '97 Commissioner of Pensions: Washington, D. C. Sir: This case was referred to the S. E. Div. to determine whether claimant's disease of eyes was contracted in service, and in line of duty and whether it has continued, and came here for cross examination of William B. Fagan (B. J. 12). Fagan is a man of property and respectability. His testimony being very important I was very particular to ascertain his character and reputation. He is regarded as absolutely reliable in his statements, and a man who would not make a false statement, as one of his neighbors said, to favor a friend or injure an enemy. His testimony, in connection with that submitted by Spec. Ex. Hardwick-2nd report--, leaves no doubt as to existence of same disease of eyes in the service and at discharge. I believe this testimony cannot be shaken and that further testimony on this point would add nothing but expense and bulk. The time claimant spent in Mississippi, however, covers a period-from '70 to '78-which is important in determining the degree of his disability, and further examination there is recommended. Pink Ashley Orizaba Miss. Harp Steward " " and others named by claimant. (page 6 Sum. of the Spec. Ex. Arnold Rep.) Very respectfully, J. B. Ennis Spec. Examiner (3-446.) DEPOSITION William B. Fagan Case of Andrew P. Flanagin, No. 684050 On this 20 day of April, 1897, at near Griswold, County of Oregon, State of Mo., before me, J. B. Ennis, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared William B. Fagan, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: P.O. Griswold Mo. Age 50 ys. A farmer. I served in Co. G 1st Ala. Cav. Andrew P. Flanagin enlisted with me and we were messmates during our service, and frequently bunkmates. We enlisted in April 1864 and were discharged together in Oct. 1865. I kept no record or diary during the service. We were intimately acquainted before the war, and we went into the Union army at a little over 16 ys. of age to keep from being forced into the rebel army. Neither of us ever served a day in the rebel army. I think Flanagin was a sound man at enlistment; we were stripped and carefully examined. In a very short time after enlistment, I took the measles and was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn., and when I returned to the company, Flanagin was gone, and I did not see him for a week or ten days after that. When he got back to company and said he had had the measles and had been in a hospital. That is now my recollection of it; I am positive he was away from the company. I don't know what hospital he was in. I don't know of any disability resulting from measles. I recollect he was complaining of something else during our service but I can't now recall what it was. I never knew of him being wounded in a fight; that is, in battle. I was with the command at Kennesaw Mountain. I think it was in June 1864 but only for a very short time. It appears to me that Flanagin reported to the surgeon there-and he accused him-for fun-of being afraid that he would get into a battle, but I can't get it into my mind now what was the matter with him. I do recollect, now however, that he had what I called red sore eyes. One of his eyes was very red, worse than the other. And he wore a handkerchief so that one corner fell over that eye. And I think now it was for this that he went to the surgeon. This was while going from Kennesaw to Rome, Ga. I have now a very distinct recollection of seeing him sick with his eyes shielded from the sun. I think I once made an affidavit for him in his pension claim. He first sent me a blank and I wrote him that I could not remember anything that would do him any good. He then wrote me calling my attention to some circumstances and I then remembered about it. The statement I make above as to his sore eyes I am positive about. I cannot remember his condition as to his eyes at discharge, and I have never seen him since. I may be mistaken as to where--or on what march- I first knew of his eyes being sore, but I noticed it in camp as well as on the march. The cause of it I don't know. I am not related to him nor interested in his claim. He has never made an affidavit for me. I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded. William B. Fagan Deponent Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20 day of April, 1897, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. J. B. Ennis Special Examiner