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A Pension Outrage
North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 18, 1886

    The suspension of the pension of Captain Oliver Shepherd which we recently mentioned was a great wrong to a brave and suffering soldier and an insult to every comrade who served during the war. His disabilities were of no common character; they were such that his pension was originally granted upon the records of the department and without the evidence required in other cases. They were received during battle while in line of duty and were of serious nature, so serious that his recovery was not expected by his surgeon. He was shot through the thigh and badly mangled, many bones being broken and wholly or partially removed. He was also shot through the arm and several inches of one bone is entirely gone and the leaders of all the fingers except one severed so that they hang useless. The pension of this man was suspended without warning, and when he asked why no explanation was received.
    Nearly a year ago he was ordered to report to Columbus for examination by the medical board, to which he responded. At nearly the same time he was ordered to report for the same purpose at Madison. He wrote to his attorney asking why he must be examined twice so near the same time. He was answered that it had evidently been overlooked that he had just been examined at Columbus, and to pay no attention to it. When his pension was suspended, he wrote Commissioner Black asking why. He waited four weeks for an answer but none came. He then wrote Senator Harrison and had immediate reply that the reason assigned was that he had not reported at Madison when ordered. The replay came from the department and stated that it was made by request of Senator Harrison. Harrison had previously written that he had seen them. Capt. Shepherd has since written that he is ready to be examined any time or anywhere but up to this time, two or three weeks, no attention has been paid to his letters. Such treatment of a brave and maimed soldier who suffers every hour of every day from his wounds is an outrage upon every soldier and patriotic citizen and a dishonor to our nation which owes this pension. It is believed that if the Captain voted with the Confederates he would not have been so treated, but he votes as he shot.     (It appears his pension was reinstated as she shows as having drawn one until his death.)

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