Willie Clarence Straw

   Cause of his death was drowned.

  General Notes:

1870 census Jefferson twp, Hillsdale, Mich Liberty Straw age 29 born Michigan; works at ditching? Julia age 25 born MI Walter age 6 born MI Willie age 3 born MI

1880 Hillsdale, Hillsdale, MI (surname corrupted) Liberty N. STRONG 1841 MI Julia J. 1845 MI Walter A. 1863 MI Willie C. 1867 Wells D. 1871

On 29 July 1865[should read 1895] a claim for an arrears of pay was filed by Liberty N. Straw...of Chicago, IL who furnished satisfactory evidence of his identy as the father of Willie C. Straw, deceased, late Lds on the Raleigh whjo was drowned at sea May 17, 1895. the claim was allowed 9 Aug 1895...signed W W Brown, Auditor US Pension Office...stamped 13 Oct 1899

23 Aug 1899 - Adrian, Michigan addressed to Commissioner Evans [handwritten letter of Julia Straw]
"Again I apply to you hopeing that in someway Justice will be done. For several years after the Civil War, the support and care of a discharged invalid husband depended almost entirely upon my own efforts which I did by teaching country school and sewing. After a time two sons grew to be helpful..the eldest one married young..the second enlisted as ships carpenter in the U S Navy on board ship Raleigh..his death accored in May 1896 in Savannah, GA. Just a few months after the death of our son, my husband, the boy's father was injured in an accident which left him almost helpless. He is now in Soldier's Home in Milwaukee receiving only 6 per month. About two years ago I put my case into the hands of Pension Agent Miller of this city..he called at my house and took all papers and other evidence which I had also said that he saw no reason why I should not receive the Dependant Mother's Pension...just a few days after agent died sudenly...and since that time I have allowed the matter to rest....but today I find myself able to sit to do this writing without one dollar, health gone and depending on the daily labors of my youngest son. where oh where is the justice that will allow a wife and mother to become a burden to W. R. C. of which I am member. After toiling for years because of health of husband survived in the army and giving up son to become a marine...Mr Evans I don't mean to be sentimental but I feel like making a plea for justice. Please do instruct your deputies to look up ref my case and God bless the hand that deals justily. My son's name Willie C. Straw...twenty-seven years old at time of death...

8 Sep 1899 - returned to Mrs Julia Straw from J. Davenport Acting Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions [Dept of the Interior]
.... to Mrs Julia Straw that she should fill out as fully as possible , execute and return the enclosed blank form of Declaration for Mother's Pension..when she will be further advised.

Under the Act of June 27, 1890 [Declaration for Dependent Mother's Pension]
On 21 Sep 1899 his mother Julia Straw appeared before a Notary Public [R.R. Robbins] in Lenawee County, Michigan. Julia was 54 yrs old and a resident of Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan to decalre that she is the mother of Willie Clarence Straw who enlisted [under same name] in New York on 20 December 1894 and assigned to Ship Raleigh on 30 Dec 1894 [Capt Merrill Miller commander]. :Above named soldier enlisted as ships carpenter in the service of United States who died at Savannah, Georgia on the 17th of May 1895 from the effects of drowning." [She appoinsted Harriet E. Miller of Adrian, MI to be her attorney to prosecute her claim for the fee of $10.00

October 7. 1899 - Medical history of Willie C. Straw from Bureau of Medicine and Surgery - Willie C. Straw enlisted 20 Dec 1894 in Brooklyn, NY for three years age 24 10/12 years as a landsman; born Hillsdale, Michigan; occupation: carpenter; blue eyes, brown hair and fair complexion; 5 feet 8 inches tall..served on Vermont until 29 December 1894..on Raleigh 17 May 1895 and drowned 17 May 1895..
.
9 Oct 1899 [reply from Surgeon General of U S Navy to Comissioner of Pensions] "Raleigh" Admitted May 20, 1895 Asphyxia ex submersione. Origin not duty, drowned while attempting to desert. Medical Journal states: Submersio. Discharged dead. Origin not in the line of duty.Was drowned while attempting to desert the ship. this man was drowned early on the morning of the 17th instant while attempting to desert the ship. A cry for help was heard and a man was seen in the water, a boat was launched and a cap was picked up marked W. C. Straw. the ship was searched: Straw was missing and his clothing gone. As he was quite near the shore when seen there was a possibility that he might have reached it. On the morning of the 20th inst, the body was found floating in the water several miles from the ship. His shoes were tied on his back, showing beyond all doubt his intention to leave the ship. Copy of Death Certificate furnished Pension Office 1 June 1895 [Straw age 25y 3m]

1 Aug 1902 - Hon H C Smith informed that Claim? will be given further consideration if charge of desertion is removed -ASG [A S. Gilbert] Examiner
21 July 1902 - REJECTED

  Medical Notes:

"...drowned while attempting to desert the ship...."