Robert M. Autrey

APPLICATION FOR CONFEDERATE PENSION

ROBERT MARTIN AUTREY, BOWIE COUNTY, TEXAS

(REPRODUCED FROM THE HOLDINGS OF THE TEXAS STATE ARCHIVES, AUSTIN, TEXAS)

SOLDIERS APPLICATION FOR PENSION, The Commissioner of pensions reserves the right to call for additional testimony if he deems it necessary.

NAME OF APPLICANT: R.M. Autrey, Bowie County, Texas, Post Office: Maud, Texas.

Filed: July 31, 1909 Pension allowed from Dec 1, 1913

COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS

Form A

For the use of soldiers, who are in indigent circumstances.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF BOWIE,

I, R.W. Autrey, do hereby make application to the Commissioner of Pensions for a pension to be granted me under the act passed by the 31st Legislature of the State of Texas, and approved March 26th, A.D., 1909, on the following grounds.

I enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the states of the United States, and that I did not desert the Confederate services, but during said war I was loyal and true to my duty, and never at any time abandoned my post of duty in the said service: that I was hornorably discharged or surrendered at the time of surrender I was on parole, had been captured at Strawsburg, Va. about Dec. 1864. I had been exchanged and furloughed, that I have been a bona fide citizen of this state since prior to January 1st A.D. 1880, and have been continously since a citizen of the State of Texas. I do further state that I do not hold any national, state, city or county office which pays me in salery and fees $150. per annum, nor have I an income from any other employment or other source whatever which amounts to $150. per annum, nor do I receive from any soure whatever money or either means of support amountng to the sum of $150. . per annum, nor do I own in my own right , nor does any one hold in trust for my benefit or use, nor does my wife own, nor does any one hold in trust for my wife, estate or property, either real, personal or fixed either in fee or for life of the assessd value of over $1,000.; nor do I receive any aid or pension from any other state or from the United States, or from any other source, and that I am not an inmate of the Confederate Home, and I do further state that the answers given to the following questions are true.

1st. What is our age? Sixty Nine

2nd. Where were you born? Perry County, Alabama

3rd. How long have you resided in Texas? Since 1873

4th. In what County do you reside? Bowie

5th. How long have you resided in said county, and what is your Post Office address?

Since 1876, Maud, Texas, R.F.D. Route No.2

6th. Have you applied for a pension under the Confederate pension law and been rejected? If rejected, state when and where. No

7th. Wat is your occupation if able to engage in one? Unable to engage in one, formerly my occupation was farming.

8th. In what state was the command in which you served organized? Louisiana

9th. How long did you serve? If possible, give the date of enlistment and discharge. Enlisted into State service Apr.1st.1861. Enlisted into the Regular Confederate Army dureing month of May, 1861.

10th. What was the letter of your company, number or name of Battilion regiment or battery? Co. K 2nd Louisiana Regiment.

11th. If transferred from one command to another, give time of transfer, name of command, and time of service.

12th. What brach of the service did you inlist in, infantry, cavalry, artillery or navy? Infantry

13th. If commissioned direct by the president, under the law of conscription, what was your rank and line of duty?

14th. If detailed for special service, under the law of conscription, what was the nature of your services and how long did you serve?

15th. Have you transferred to others any property of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under this law? No

Wherefore your petitioner prays that his application for pension be approved and such other proceeding be had in the premises as are required by law.

Signature of applicant R.M. Autrey (his signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of July, A.D. 1906.

Joe Hughes,

County Judge Bowie County, Texas

AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES

The State of Texas, County of Bowie:

Before me, Joe Hughes, County Judge of Bowie County, Texas, on the day personally appeared J.F. Rochelle and J.A. Lynch, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, en esth state that they personally know R.M. Autrey the above named applicant for a pension and that they personally knew that the said R.M. Autrey has been a bono fide resident citizen of the state of Texas since prior to January 1st.1880. and that they have no interest in this claim.

J.F. Rochelle

J.A. Lynch

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 26th day of July 1909.

Joe Hughes, County Judge Bowie County, Texas

CERTIFICATE OF THE STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSOR

I, Will H. Davis, State and County assessor

in the County of Bowie, state of Texas, do certify that R.M. Autrey, or his wife, or his trustee, or trustee for his wife, whose name is signed to the foregoing application for a pension under the act of the 31st. Legislature approved March 26, 1909 is charged on the land and personal property rolls of said county with estate, real, personal and mixed, at the assessed value of $ 1,740 Dollars. [Note by typist: this amount is difficult to read]

Given under my name this 26th day of July, 1909.

Will H. Davis, State and County Assessor

INTEROGATORIES TO WITNESSES IN PENSION CLAIM

EX PARTE R.M. AUTREY

Pending in Bowie Coounty, Texas before the honorable County Judge of said County.

The Honorable County Judge of Bowie County, Texas, will please take notice that, five days after the service hereof, applicant herein will apply to the Clerk of the County Court of said County and State, for a commission to take the deposition of Jno. R. Herd (his signature) T.J .Monk (his signature) who reside in the parish of Lincoln in the state of Louisiana in answer to the following interrogatories and such cross interrogatories as may be propounded by the County Judge of said County, which will be read in evidence upon the hearing of applicant's claim for pension in behalf of applicant; said testimony is material and indispensable to applicant in furnishing the required proof to this claim for a pension under the Act of Mary 26, 1909, the application for which is now pending before the Honorabel County Judge, and the facts necessary and required to be proven under the provisions of said Act, applicant believes can not be proven by any witness as residing in the County of Bowie and State of Texas, of which he is a bonna fide resident.

R.M. Autrey (applicant or attorney for applicant)

DIRECT INTERROGATORIES TO BE PROPOUNDED TO THE WITNESS...

Jno. R. Herd & T. J. Monk

INT. 1. What is your name? Age? Present place of residence and post office address?

INT. 2. Do you personally know, or did you at any time know R.M. Autrey who is an applicant for pension under Act of March 26, 1909?

INT.3. How long have you known the said R.M. Autrey applicant for pension and when and where did you first know him?

INT.4. Do you personally know that the said R. M. Autrey applicant for pension enlisted in the service of the Confederacy, and performed the duties of a soldier or a sailor?

INT.5. Do you personally know in what company and regiment the said R.M. Autrey enlisted and served in the Confederate army? When? Where? And the time of service? If you personally knew and so have stated that he enlisted and served in the Confederate navy, then state: when? Where? And how long he so served?

INT.6. Do you personally know that R.M. Autrey applicant for pension, was commissioned as an officer directly by the President of the Confederate States? What was his rank and line of duty?

INT.7 Do you further know if said applicant was, under the provisions of the conscript law, detailed for any kind of special service in the field, shops, armories, etc., of the Confederacy? What was the nature of his service, and how long did he serve?

CROSS INTERROGATORIES

To be Propounded to Jno. R. Herd & T. J. Monk

CROSS INTERROGATORY 1: If, in answer to the foregoing direct interrogatories, you have stated that your personally know or did know said applicant, and that you know that he enlisted in the service of the Confederacy and performed the duties of a soldier or sailor, and having named the company and regiment or special service in which the applicant so enlisted and served, then please state fully what is your source of such knowledge? And state whether or not you know or at any time you know of any other soldier by the name of R.M. Autrey serving in the same company or regiment or special serivce in which you say the said applicant R.M. Autrey enlisted, or if you have stated that said applicant enlisted and served in the navy of the Confederacy, then state whether or not you know any other soldier or sailor of the same name as said R. M. Autrey applicant serving in the same command, or the special service to which he was assigned?

If you say that you so knew other soldiers or sailors of the same name of applicant's, then can you and how do you identify and locate the one from the other or others?

CROSS INT. 2: Are you positively certain that said R. M. Autrey applicant for pension, is the identicial person serving as testified by you?

CROSS INT. 3: Do you know whether or not the said R.M. Autrey applicant for pension served honorably from the date of his enlistment until the close of the late Civil War between the States, or until he was discharged from said company adn regiment, or the special service to which he had been assigned?

CROSS INT. 4: Do you know whether or not the said R.M. Autrey deserted his command or voluntarily abandoned his post of duty, or the service during said war?

THE STATE OF TEXAS,

County of Bowie

I, Joe Hughes, County Judge of said County, in said State, do hereby waive copy of interrogatories, notice and issuance of commission, and it is hereby agreed that the answers to the herinabove direct and cross interrogatories of the said herein named witness....may be attached hereto.

Joe Hughes, County Judge Bowie County, Texas

DEPOSITION IN PENSION CLAIMS, WITH CAPTION AND CERTIFICATES

EX PARTE IN RE APPLICANT FOR CONFEDERATE PENSION

Under the Act March 26, 1909, pending County, Texas, before the Honorable County Judge of said County,

Answers and depositions of (1) T.J. Monk, Ruston, La., to the accompanying interrogations (2) and cross interrogations propounded to him in the above entitled cause taken before (3) J.M. Sims Clerk of Court, in accordance with the accompanying (7)agreement.

To the first interrogatory the said T.J. Monk

Witness, answers T.J. Monk. Age 74 years, P.O. Ruston, La.

To 2nd Intg. Witnesses answers: I do personally know R.M. Autrey who is an applicant for pension.

To 3rd Intg. Witness answers: Since 1861. I first knew him during the war of the Confederacy.

To 4th Intg. Witness answers: I do

To 5th Intg. Witness answers: Company "K" 2nd Louisiana Regiment. He enlisted in the Army in April 1861 at Vienna, La., and served during the whole of the war.

To 6th Intg. Witness answers: He was not commissioned as an officer, but remained as a private.

To 7th Intg. Witness answers: He was not detailed for any kind of special service of the Confederacy within my knowledge.

Answers to Cross Interrogatories

To 1st X Intg. Witness answers: I came in personal contact with him and knew him personally and know these facts from my own knowledge. I did not know of any other soldier by the name of R.M. Autrey serving in the same regiment and company.

To 2nd X Intg. Witness answers: I am.

To 3rd X Intg. Witness answers: He did so far as I know.

To 4th X Intg. Witness answers: He did not to my knowledge.

T. J. Monk, (his signature)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22 day of July, 1909.

J. M. Sims, Clerk of Court for Lincoln Ph. La.

THE STATE OF LOUISIANA,

County of Lincoln

I, J. M. Sims, Clerk of Court for said County, do hereby certify that T.J. Monk is personally known to me to be credible citizen of said County and State, and that the foregoing answers of T.J. Monk the witness before named, whose name appears signed to the foregoing depositiion, were made before me and were sworn to and subscribed before me, by said witness (4) T.J. Monk

Given under my hand and official seal, this the 22 day of July, 1909.

J.M Sims, Clerk of Court, Lincoln Ph. La.

EX PARTE R.M. AUTREY

IN RE APPLICATION FOR CONFEDEERATE PENSION

Under Act March 26, 1909, pending Application for Confederate Pension.

Answers and depositions of (1) John R. Heard, Ruston, La. to the accompanying interrogations (2) and cross interrogatories propounded to him in the above entitled cause taken before (3) J. M. Sims, Clerk of Court in accordance with the accompanying (7) agreement.

To the first interrogatory the said John R. Heard

Witness, answers John R. Heard. Age 71 years. P.O. Ruston, La.

To 2nd Intg. Witness answers: I do personally know R. M. Autrey who is an applicant for pension.

To 3rd. Intg. Witness answers: Since 1861. I first know him during the war of the Confederacy.

To 4th Intg. Witness answers: I do.

To 5th Intg. Witness answers: Company "K" 2nd Louisiana Regiment. He enlisted in the Army in April 1861 at Vienna, La., and served during the whole of the war.

To 6th Intg. Witness answers: He was not commissioned as an officer, but remained as a private.

To 7th Intg. Witness answers: He was not detailed for any kind of special service of the Confederacy within my knowledge.

Answers To Cross Examinations

To 1st. Intg. Witness answers: I came in personal contact with him and knew him personally and know these facts from my own knowledge. I did not know of any other soldier by the name of R. M. Autrey serving in the same company and regiment.

To 2nd. Intg. Witness answers: I am.

To 3rd. Intg. Witness answers: He did so far as I know.

To 4th. Intg. Witness answers: he did not to my knowledge.

Jno. R. Heard (his signature)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22 day of July, 1909.

J.M. Sims, Clerk of Court for Lincoln Parish, La.

THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, County of Lincoln:

I, J.M. Sims, Clerk of Court for said county, do hereby certify that John R. Heard, the witness before named, and whose name apprears signed to the foregoing deposition, were made before me and were sworn to and subscribed before me, by said witness (4) John R. Heard.

Given under my hand and official seal, this the 22 dayof July, 1909.

J. M. Sims, Clerk of Court, Lincoln Ph., La.

Personal Letter for Follow-Up By Pensioner

July 21st, 1913

Commissioner of Pensions, Austin, Texas

Dear Sir:

About three years ago I filed in your office an application for a Confederate Pension. My application was rejected on the ground that my property was valued at more than $l,000. Since that time my health has failed, my sight is almost completely gone and I am totally disabled. I have paid doctor's bills and other expenses until all I have left is eighty acres of land, my household, valued at $640.00.

I enclose the Assessor's cerificate showing my rendition. I will appreciate an early reply.

Yours truly,

R. M. Autrey

Maud, Texas

CERTIFICATE OF THE STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSOR

I, R. M. Johnson, State and County Assessor in the County of Bowie and State of Texas, do hereby certify that R. M. Autrey, or his wife, or his trustee for his wife, whose name is signed to the foregoing application for a pension, under Act of the Thirty-third Legislature, approved Apr. 1st A.D., 1913, is charged on the land and personal property rolls of said County with estate, real, personal and mixed, at the assessed value of $640.

R. M. Johnson,

State and County Assessor

[Typist's notes: Here are some County Officials listed on the above document as well as County Commissioners for Bowie County, Texas]

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

G. A. Richardson, Texarkana, Texas

C. B. Helms, Maud, Texas

B. M. Braswell, DeKalb, Texas

Clarence Dalby, Dalby Springs, Texas

COUNTY OFFICIALS

Lee Tidwell, County Judge

H. H. Tatum, County Attorney

Jim Baker, Sheriff

L. C. Lynch, District Clerk

Joe White, County Clerk

Will H. Davis, Tax Collector

W. V. Sims, County Surveyor

N. J. Rachel, County Treasurer

R. M. Johnson, Tax Assessor

J. B. Lytal, County Superintendent

NOTIFICATION OF DEATH OF R.M. AUTREY

WHITE & MERRILL GENERAL MERCHANDISE/COTTON BUYERS

R. R. White

Maud, Texas

December 10, 1919

State Comptroller, Austin, Texas

Dear Sir,

My husband, R.M. Autrey, pension No. 21,624, died Nov. 23rd, 1919 and I have his check for the last quarter. Please let me know what I must do with this check. Can it be used to pay funeral expenses or must it be returned to you. Please let me know at once.

Yours truly,

Mrs. R.M. Autrey

APPLICATION FOR MORTUARY WARRANT

STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF BOWIE

I, S.J. Autrey, do hereby certify that I am the person to whom is entrusted the paying of the accounts and indebtedness of tghe late R. M. Autrey, who was a pensioner of the State of Texas, and whose file number is 21624 and whose original county is Bowie.

The said pensioner R. M. Autrey, died on the 23rd day of Nov., 1919, in the town of near Maud, county of Bowie, Texas.

The pensioner died in the home of his own home.

That the warrant which application is hereby made for, shall be applied to paying all or part of the expenses incurred by the said pensioner R.M. Autrey.

I further certify that the warrant for the current quarter has not been cashed by the pensioner, to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I am related to the pensioner as wife and that my home is in the town of near Maud, County of Bowie, State of Texas, and that my post office is Maud, Bowie Co., Texas.

Signed: S J Autrey (her mark)

Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the County of Bowie, State of Texas, personally appeared S.J. Autrey, who being by me duly sworn did certify to, and sign the foregoing statement.

M. E. Merrill (note by typist: very difficult to read signature), Notary Public in adn for Bowie County, Texas

CERTIFICATE OF UNDERTAKER

I, (unable to read writing), of Hubbard Bros., do certify that I am an undertakeer in the town of Maud, County of Bowie, State of Texas, that I had charge of the body of I sold casket for Mr. Autrey, who died in the town of near Maud, County of Bowie, State of Texas on the 23 of Nov., 1919.

Signed Hubbard Bros., by (can't read writing).

CERTIFICATGE OF PHYSICIAN

I, W.H. Evans, do certify that I am a practicing physician and that I attended R.M. Autrey in his last illness and am of the opinion that his ailments were ureanic poison.

I further certify that I am of the opinion that the Mortuary Warrant above requested should be issued in the name of the aforementioned applicant in accordance with Act passed by the Thirthy-fifth Legislature, and aproved 1917.

Signed W. H. Evans, Physician

Physician's Address: Maud, Texas

MORTUARY WARRANT ACCOUNT

Maud, Texas, December 17, 1919

STATE OF TEXAS

To: S.J. Autrey Maud, Texas

Account of Death of Pensioner No. 21624, County Bowie

Pensioner's Name in Full: R. M. Autrey (note from typist: should be Robert Martin Autrey)

Account must be itemized, but Mortuary Warrant will not be issued for more than Thirty Dollars.

Casket - $60.00 Shroud - $7.50 Drug Bill - $28.10 Doctor Bill - $117.00 TOTAL $212.60

[typist note: The above statement has been stamped "OK"]

The above account for Two hundred twelve & 60/100 Dollars is just, due and unpaid.

S. J. Autrey (her mark)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of Dec. A D 1919.

M. E. Merrill, Notary Public Bowie County, Texas