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Hodge Pensions
Transcription of Navy Widow’s Application for a Pension #1095014Claimant – Cora Hodge Sailor – Elmo Hodge alias Frank
Stanford Children: Recognized attorney – James H. Spalding, P.O. Washington, D.C. Submitted for Rejection June 9, 1917, R. Wandling, Examiner. Disease resulting in death existed prior to enlistment. Rejection – Records of the Navy Dept. shows sailor’s death was caused from obstruction of the bowel, due to conditions which existed prior to enlistment in U. S. Naval service and can not be accepted as in any manner due to such service. Signed June 23, 1917, H. M. Vanderwort, Legal Examiner Signed June 25, 1917, T. M. Riffel, Re-reviewer Important dates:
Enlisted – December 28, 1908
Letter, dated July 3, 1917 A & N Division James E. Spalding, Atty., Sir: The above cited claim for pension under the general law, filed Feb. 17, 1917, is rejected on the ground that the records of the Navy Department show that the sailor’s death was caused from intestinal obstruction due to conditions which existed prior to his service in the United States Navy, and said death cause can not be accepted as in any manner due to said service in the line of duty.
Very respectully, Identical letter sent to
Letter dated July 18, 1922 From Committee on Appropriations Hon. Washington Gardner WO 1095014, Cora Hodge, Elmo Hodge alias Frank Stanford, U.S.S. Pensacola My dear Mr. Gardner: I wish you would let me know if any new evidence has been filed in the attached claim and what its present status is. Thanking you for past courtesies, I am, Very truly yours, J. P. Buchanan
Letter from Congressional Section, dated July 25, 1922 Hon. J. P. Buchanan My dear Mr. Buchanan: In re: Cora, widow of Elmo Hodge, W.O. 1095014, McDade, Tex You are advised that no evidence has been filed in this claim since the date of rejection and the status, therefore, remains unchanged. The copy of the letter addressed to you under date of October 21, 1921, which accompanied your communication, is returned as requested. Very truly yours, H. M. Vanderwort, Acting Commissioner
The attorney entered an appeal September 7, 1917, contending that as the sailor’s death was due to an acute affection it could not be properly held that same was not due to his service. A report from the records of the Navy Department shows in reference to the sailor’s death as follows: He was taken ill 24 hours before death with symptoms indicating obstruction of the bowel. Diagnosis was verified by operation which was performed and what obstructions found were relieved, though commencing gangrene was evident. Autopsy showed old adhesions and cicatricial tissue in transverse colon, appendix and caecum. There is no evidence that the disease causing death was in line of duty the facts being as follows: Patient acknowledged two attacks previous to enlistment, for both of which he refused operation. As stated in the report from the records of the Navy Department, there is no evidence showing that the sailor was in line of duty when he incurred the disease which caused his death. The contrary is shown. The old adhesions indicated past inflammation of the parts involved and he admitted having had two previous attacks, which were manifestly similar to the one which proved fatal. As the action appealed from was in accord with the facts, it is affirmed. Signed (unreadable signature) Assistant Secretary DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Washington Claim No. 1,095,014. On Appeal from the Commissioner of Pensions. The above-named sailor was enlisted in the Navy December 28, 1908, and died in service March 10, 1909. Cora Hodge, as his widow, filed a claim for pension under the general law February 17, 1917. She and the attorney in the case were advised by the Commissioner of Pensions July 3, 1917, that the claim was rejected on the ground that the records of the Navy Department show the sailor’s death was caused by intestinal obstruction due to conditions which existed prior to his service in the United States Navy and said death cause could not be accepted as in any manner due to service in the line of duty. (remainder of this document appears to be missing)
Letter from James H. Spalding James H. Spalding September 7, 1917 1095014 The Secretary of the Interior Sir: Under date of July 3, 1917, the Pension Bureau reject (sic) above case stating that soldier’s death was due to intestinal obstruction due to conditions existing prior to service. I appeal from this action. Soldier died of an acute trouble which did not exist at enlistment and he died in service. He probably refused an operation but cannot be held as he died of an acute disease that did not exist at enlistment that same was not sue to service. He had been insured after examination and he was examined. He may have eaten too much and at the wrong time but he was in service. I ask reversal. TREASURY DEPARTMENT Office of the Respectfully returned to the Subject: Request for information relative to settlement of accts of Elmo Hodge, alias Frank Stanford An application was filed by Cora A. Hodge, R.F.D. #3, McDade, Texas, June 14, 1909, and settlement made in her favor August 3, 1909. Edgar Luckow, Auditor In the above-entitled claim for pension, it appears that Elmo Hodge alias Frank Stanford, U.S. Navy, died March 8, 1909. Please state whether a claim for arrears of pay bounty or other allowance on account of sailor’s service has been filed; and, if so, the same, relationship and post-office address of the claimant, the date when the claim was filed and its final disposition, if settled. A claim for widow’s pension has been filed by Cora Hodge, whose address is McDade, Texas.
Very respectfully, Navy Department Sir: Replying to your letter (A. & N. Div. W. O. 1095014) of the 19th ultime, relative to Elmo Hodge, alias Frank Stanford: Frank Stanford enlisted in the navy December 28, 1908, at Denver, Colorado, for four years, as apprentice. Born in Cistern, Texas; trade, clerk; height, 6 feet; eyes, blue 9; hair, lt. brown; complexion, ruddy; m. 3/8 d. r. pectoral; m. ½ x 3/8 r. nipple; m. ¾ x ½ r. hypochon; m. ¼ d. l. nipple; m. 3/8 x 1/8 front l. axilla; 7 large m. l. deltoid; m. ¼ d. l. axilla; 3 large m. outer l.a.; m. ¼ d. back l.a.; m. 1/8 d. l. biceps; r.m. chin; m. 5/8 x 3/8 & m. 5/8 x ¼ l. scapula; 4 large m. r. scapula; m. ½ x ¼, m. ¼ d & m. 1/8 d. back r.a.; m. ¼ d. back r.f.a.; m. 1/8 d. front r.f.a. Date of birth, Aug 1, 1884. Served as follows:
Recruiting Station, Denver, Colorado to Dec 30, 1908; Respectfully, L. C. Palmer, Chief of Bureau
The Commissioner of Pensions REPORT OF DEATH Name of deceased – Stanford,
Frank I hereby certify that Stanford, Frank, Apprentice Seaman, U.S. Navy, died while attached to the U.S. Naval Training Station, San Francisco, Cal., as set forth in the record of his case, as follows: He was taken ill 24 hours before death with symptoms indicating obstruction of the bowel. Diagnosis was verified by operation which was performed and what obstruction found, though relieved, though commencing gangrene was evident. Autopsy showed old adhesions and cicatricial tissue in transverse colon, appendix and caecum. There is no evidence that the disease (or injury) causing death was in line of duty, the fact being as follows: Patient acknowledged two attacks previous to enlistment, for both of which he refused operation. James G. Field, Surgeon, U.S. Navy RECORD OF DECEASED Native of Cistern, Texas. Age 24 years 7 months. Height 6 feet 0 inches. Complexion ruddy. Eyes blue 9. Hair lt brown. Where enlisted Denver, Col. When enlisted December 28, 1908. Previous naval service, about no years. Held C.S.C. No. ---. First enlisted ----. C. C. Tarvel(?), Lt. Comd’r, U.S.N., Executive Officer Approved: L. W. Shule(?), Commander, U.S.N., Senior Officer Present
Department of the Navy To: The Honorable Commissioner of Pensions. Subject: Elmo HODGE alias Frank STANFORD, Apprentice Seaman, U.S. Navy Reference: Your communication of March 19, 1917, Claim No. 1095014 The records of this Bureau show as follows: NAVAL TRAINING STATION SAN FRANCISCO
Admitted March 9, 1909, Intestinal obstruction W. G. Braisted, Surgeon General, U.S. Navy
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Pensions W.O. No. 1095014 The Chief of the Bureau of
Navigation, Sir: For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a descriptive list and a history of service of Elmo Hodge alias Frank Stanford, who, it is alleged, enlisted at Denver Colo., served as a Private U.S. Navy, and died Mar 8 1909. (additional handwritten notation: enl. 12-28-08, died 3-10-09) It is also requested that your report show whether sailor was married or single; the name and address of next of kin; state of health on each vessel; the number of days sick on each vessel; marks and scars noted since enlistment or not previously reported; and his average standing for sobriety. Please return this circular with your reply through the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Very respectfully, (unreadable stamped signature) Commissioner
WIDOW’S DECLARATION FOR PENSION State of Texas, County of Bastrop, On this 14th day of February, A.D., one thousand nine hundred and seventeen, personally appeared before me, J. S. Kelton, a Notary Public in and for Bastrop Co. for the County and State aforesaid, Mrs. Cora Hodge, aged 37 years, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the Pension provided by Acts of Congress granting pension to widows: That she is the widow of Elmo Hodge who was under the name of Frank Stanford at Denver Colorado on the (blank) day of (blank), A.D. (blank) in U.S. Navy in the war of (blank), who died a natural death on the 8th day of March, A.D., 1909, who bore at the time of his death the rank of private in Navy, that she was married under the name of Cora Mobley to said Elmo hodge on the 26th day of Nov, A.D. 1905, by Rev. H. G. Taylor, at McDade, Texas, there being no legal barrier to such marriage; that neither she nor her husband had been previously married, neither was ever married before; that she has to present date remained his widow; that the following are the names and dates of birth of all his legitimate children yet surviving who were under sixteen years of age at father’s death, viz:
Fay Hodge, born Oct. 23rd 1906 that she has not abandoned the support of any one of her children, but that they are still under her care or maintenance; that she has not in any manner engaged in, or aided or abetted, the rebellion in the United States; that prior application has been filed, never applied before; that she hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, James H. Spalding of Wash. D.C., her attorney, to prosecute the above claim; that her Post Office address is McDade, Bastrop Co., Texas. Signed Mrs. Cora Hodge
Witness D. R. LeMaster Also personally appeared D. R. LeMaster, residing at McDade, Texas, and L. A. Kunkel, residing at McDade, Texas, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who, being by me duly worn, say that they were present and saw Mrs. Cora Hodge, the claimant, sign her name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Signature – D. R. LeMaster Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 14th day of Feby, A.D., 1917, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses, before swearing, including the words Bastrop erased, and the words Texas added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Signature J. S. Kelton, Notary Public Feb. 21, 1917
NAVY Cora Hodge Notified March 16, 1917
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