Dr. Raiford's Affidavit & Case Docket Strip
Despite the January 1894 rejection recorded on page 33, Elias Roberts pressed on with a new claim. This scan captures the closing portion of a supporting physician's affidavit (its opening page is captured separately on page 35) in which M.D. Raiford, M.D. testified that heart trouble left Roberts wholly unable to perform manual labor, calling him one of the most worthy indigent applicants he had ever known. Dr. Raiford swore the affidavit on February 17, 1894 before Notary J.R. McCasland of Harris County; it was received by the Pension Office on March 12 and routed to the Old War & Navy division the next day. Attached to the affidavit is a printed case docket strip captioned "CASE OF Elias Roberts... FOR PENSION. AFFIDAVIT OF M.D. Raiford," filed by attorney Henry D. Phillips.
Full Transcription
(opening portion of the affidavit not on this scan — begins mid-sentence:)
...of the heart render the said soldier — Elias Roberts, wholly unable for the performance of any manual labor, much less such as is requisite for his support. Considering his age and disabilities, I have never known a subject who is more worthy of the assistance for which he is an indigent applicant.
And he further declares that he has no interest, either directly or indirectly, in the prosecution of this claim.
M. D. Raiford, M.D.
(Physician's Signature.)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 day of February A. D. 1894; and I hereby certify that the affiant is a practicing physician in good professional standing; that the contents of the above affidavit, &c., were fully made known to him before he executed the same; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
J.R. McCasland
(Signature.)
a Notary Public, Harris County, Texas
{SEAL.}
(circular double-ring stamp, upside-down in this scan — reads, once inverted: "PENSION OFFICE. U.S. MAR 12 1894")
(rectangular stamp:) OLD WAR & NAVY / MAR 13 1894
(attached printed docket strip, rotated 90° relative to the affidavit above)
(pencil marginalia, upper left: "R"; "Mex. Increase"; "By H.D. Phillips")
CASE OF
Elias Roberts
Rec. Mtd. S[?]e. (unit/regiment abbreviation, illegible with confidence)
No. 17403 Ct (struck through with a slash)
FOR
PENSION.
AFFIDAVIT OF
M. D. Raiford
Doctor of Medicine
Nashville University Cl. 1870
FILED BY
HENRY D. PHILLIPS,
Attorney-at-Law and Solicitor.
LANDS. PATENTS. PENSIONS.
