HOUSE BILL NO. 1005

AN Act for Granting a Pension to Mary McLaughlin, of Okeechobee County, Florida.

WHEREAS, John McLaughlin, late of the County of Okeechobee, State of Florida, died on the 29th day of March, A. D. 1900, leaving surviving him, Mary McLaughlin, his widow, and several children; and
WHEREAS, During the lifetime of John McLaughlin he served as a Confederate soldier and was in service at the time of the close of the war: and
WHEREAS, During his lifetime the said John McLaughlin was in good circumstances and because of that condition never sought a pension; and
WHEREAS, None of his immediate family know in what company her served; and
WHEREAS, He married Mary McLaughlin in 1875, and there is no way to prove his service other than by affidavits of those who have talked to him and know that he was in the service, but do not know what part of the service he was in, or in what company; and
WHEREAS, The circumstances of Mary McLaughlin have now changed so that she is in very distressing financial circumstances, and it is impossible for her to prove by any living witness as to the company, etc., that John McLaughlin served in , so as to meet with the requirements of the present law; therefore

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Section 1.  That the State Board of Pensions be, and it is hereby directed to place the name of Mary McLaughlin on the pension roll of the State of Florida, to be paid as a Confederate pensioner in the same manner and at the same rate as any other pensions of the State are paid.

Section 2.  That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of this Act be, and they are hereby repealed.

Section 3.  That this Act shall take effect immediately upon its becoming a law.

Became a law without approval of Governor.