Samuel Bumpus

Deposition of Clara A Baker

Case of Mary Amanda Bumpus, Application for widows pension.

As transcribed by Marlow Bumpus December 29, 2002

Submitted by: Marlow Bumpus

On the 15 of April, 1898 at Humboldt, Allen Co., Kansas, before me, H.L. Elliott, a Special Examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared before me, Mrs. Clara A Baker, 24, of Allen Co., Kansas, Occupation, Housekeeper.

I am a daughter of Samuel and Nancy C Bumpus. I was born August 7, 1873. At least that is what I was taught when I was a child and I have always kept August 7 as my birthday.
My father had only two children by his first wife Nancy, (my mother). The other child is still living. His name is George James Bumpus and he was born June 23, 1870. I have a record on a piece of paper showing the dates of our birth. The record was made by my father or mother. I think probably my mother but I'm not certain.

(Affidavit exhibits record. The writing is considerable faded. The entries show that Samuel and Nancy C Bumpus were married were married September 5, 1869. George J Bumpus born June 23, 1870. Clara M Bumpus born August 7, 1873. I believe the record is genuine. H.L.E. Spl. Exm.)

The present address for my Brother is No. 302 East Indiana St. Chicago Ill.

I don't know the date of my mother's death. I was over one year old when she died but I don't know just how old she was.

My father was a drinking man and did not take care of my brother and I, so Jack Thompson took us to his home and raised us.

Jack Thompson does not know the date of my mother's death or the dates of birth of myself and my brother. He has no record of the dates, I am positive of that fact.

I saw my father only once after I went to live with Jack Thompson. I don't remember when it was, only that I was still a small girl.

I said I was taught when I was a small girl that the date of my birth was Aug. 7, 1873. I was taught that fact by Mrs. Thompson, my foster mother.

Mrs. Thompson obtained the date from the record which I have shown you and she obtained that record from my father when she and her husband took us to raise. The record was with our clothing or what ever effects we had.

I have been told that my middle name is "Manda" but I never liked that name so I changed it to Amanda, simply adding an "A" to it. I usually sign my name Clara A Baker.

I have understood your questions. My answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. Signed Mrs. Clara A Baker, Deponent.

Clara Amanda (Manda) Bumpus Baker's mother was Catherine Amanda Lattin Bumpus. I think I have seen Clara's mother's name as Nancy somewhere else in these documents. She was also referred to as Katy in a deposition.

This one was fairly easy to read but most aren't. From the testimony I have read so far, I can only assume that Samuel was not a heavy drinker and Mrs. Thompson or at least Clara Long lied to Clara Manda and George James. So far only one deposition indicates Samuel drank at all and indicated that it was seldom. In fact I think he was so ill he wouldn't be able to drink much.

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