64th Congress, 1st Session - United States Senate, Document 178. Presbyterian Church and the Green River Masonic Lodge, No. 88, of Munfordville. Letter from the Chief Clerk of the Court of Claims Transmitting a copy of the findings of the court in the case of Presbyterian Church and the Green River Masonic Lodge No. 88, of Munfordville, KY., against the United States. December 10, 1915 - Referred to the Committee on Claims and ordered to be printed. "Court of Claims, Clerk's Office, Washington, November 3, 1915. Hon. Thomas R. MARSHALL, President of the Senate. Sir: Pursuant to the order of the court, I transmit herewith a certified copy of the findings of fact filed by this court in the aforesaid cause, which case was referred to this court by resolution of the United States Senate under the act of March, 1887, known as the Tucker Act. I am, very respectfully, yours, /s/ Saml. A. PUTMAN, Chief Clerk Court of Claims. "Statement of Case. This is a claim for use and occupation alleged to have been furnished to the military forces of the United States during the Civil War. On the 2d day of March, 1907, the United States Senate referred to the court a bill in the following words: [S. 7032, Fifty-ninth Congress, second session]. "A Bill for the relief of the Presbyterian Church and the Green River Masonic Lodge, Numbered eighty-eight, of Munfordville, Kentucky. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to pay, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the trustees of the Presbyterian Church and the treasurer of the Green River Masonic Lodge, Numbered Eighty-Eight, of Munfordville, Kentucky, the sum of $1,200, in full compensation for the occupation, use and incidental injury to the building jointly owned by said church and lodge by the United States military forces during the Civil War. "The officers of said church and lodge appeared in this court March 23, 1907, and filed their petition, in which it is substantially averred that - During the late Civil War the military authorities of the United States took possession of the well-constructed brick building of two stories, about 60 by 26 feet in size, the first story owned and occupied by the Presbyterian Church, the second story by the Green River Masonic Lodge, No. 88, and occupied the lower story as a hospital for several months and the upper story as headquarters by different military officers for about two years; that the reasonable rental value of said property during said occupation, including the repairs necessary to restore said property to the same condition as before said occupation, was the sum of $1,200, for which no payment has been made; that the claimants have at all times borne true allegiance to the Government of the United States, and have not in any way voluntarily aided, abetted, or given encouragement to rebellion against the said Government. The case as brought to a hearing on loyalty and merits on the 3d day of February, 1908. Coldren & Fenning appeared for the claimants, and the Attorney General by Percy M Cox, his assistant and under his direction, appeared for the defense and protection of the interests of the United States. The court, upon the evidence and after considering the briefs and arguments of counsel on both sides, makes the following: Finding of Fact. The evidence does not establish to the satisfaction of the court that the claimants were the owners of the property alleged in the petition, for the use and occupation of which damages and compensation are sought. By the Court. Filed February 10, 1908, A True copy. Attest this 3d day of November, 1915 {seal} /s/ Saml. A Putman, Chief Clerk Court of Claims." It appears that the government rejected the claim of the church and lodge since they couldn't prove they owned the building!! Sandi SCKY Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index?list=south-central-kentucky Barren Co Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index?list=kybarren Sandi's Puzzlers: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gensoup/gorin/puz.html