Claim of Isaac T. Eppler
From
Digest of Disallowed Claims page 76 No. 5090.
-- Claim of Isaac T. Eppler, of Fort Smith, Sebastian County, State of
Arkansas
3 yokes
oxen..........................................225.00
200
bushels corn.....................................200.00
10 tons
hay.............................................300.00
2,000
bundles.......................................... 60.00
44
cattle.................................................880.00
3 yoke
steers.........................................225.00
13
beef-cattle..........................................325.00
237
hogs..............................................2,370.00
Total......................................$4,685.00
Remarks.
--
Mr. Eppler was a farmer and a carpenter, living about six miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas, on his farm. He lived apparently unmolested till October, 1864, when he moved into Fort Smith, and worked at this trade for the Government. He had a son "conscripted" into the rebel army in 1863. who deserted the same year and went to Missouri. Mrs. Jane George says: "He was known by every one as a Union man, and he always told her he was a Union man." Mary Barnes says he was always considered a Union man. Anna Franklin says he was always considered a Union man. What relation, if any, these women bear to him does not appear. Charles Munder says: "I never talked with him about the war. I knew he was a Union man, because he had nothing to do with the war. * * * I never heard him say he was a Union man. I never heard any one say he was a Union man. I think his public reputation was that of a Union man!" This witmess says he was intimately acquainted with him throughout the war; saw him every day; was himself a Union man. John G. Ellick lived five miles from him; was not intimate with him; just knew him. once he said, "We had better stick to the Union side; that that side would win;" judged from that he was a Union man. Jeremiah Ireland, who repairs clocks, was once at claimant's house repairing clocks in 1863; first acquaintance with him. "He seemed indifferent about conversing about the war, but I drew some remarks out of him that convinced me he was a Union man." A. Schoeppe lived six miles from him; saw him often and talked often with him, and he always said he was a Union man, and was so regarded. John. C. Rattaree was only acquainted with him from the fall of 1864; he then considered him a Union man. A perusal of this evidence shows that it is worthless and conflicting; compare Munder and Schoeppe. So, Ellick, Ireland, and Rattaree really knew nothing of him till toward the close of the war. The three women are vague and general. He lived quietly among the rebels til August, 1864. His son was in the rebel army; how long does not appear. In August, 1864, toward the close of the war, he begins to work for the Government. The evidence is not of the kind that the claimant should produce; the witnesses are not persons of character and consideration, but obviously such and the best he could find. We are far from being satisfied of his loyalty. The claim is rejected.