Veteran Accused of Misappropriating Relief Funds
A former commander of the Grand Army of the Republic in Tacoma faces court-martial over allegations that he pocketed money intended for indigent soldiers.
Tacoma, June 12.—While the charges on which B. B. Brownson, ex-commander of Sheridan Post, G.A.R., was recently court-martialed have been carefully guarded, their substance leaked out today. Five members of the post preferred the charges against Brownson and alleged that he had misappropriated about $250 of relief fund money and converted it to his own use. For two years Mr. Brownson held the position of chairman of the post relief committee and commander of the post. He was authorized to issue provisions to indigent comrades and to draw the money for the same from the county indigent soldiers' relief fund. One specific instance was cited where it was charged that Brownson gave orders on H. J. Clausen, a grocer at 1211 South Eleventh street, for $10 worth of provisions, drew the money therefor and did not pay the bill. The court-martial sat for five nights and examined twenty witnesses.
“It was alleged in the charges that he had misappropriated about $250 of such money.”
This story highlights the vulnerability of social safety nets, even those managed by fraternal organizations like the G.A.R. The misuse of public funds intended for the poor remains a sensitive and recurring civic scandal.
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