Joseph Dutch Bowers (December 13, 1896 â April 27, 1936) was the first man to attempt an escape from Alcatraz prison.oseph Bowers was by all accounts a desperado and loner, unable to come to terms with the conditions of Alcatraz.
However, the National Archives notes with some relief that millions of documents were lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) before the fire occurred, so at least those military records werenât destroyed. How VA Uses The 1973 Fire As An Excuse. An issue that comes up â much too frequently â is VAâs claim that a Veteranâs records were destroyed in the 1973 NPRC fire. VA Regional Offices often deny benefits claims by explaining â[t]hey could not obtain the records, and ...
U.S. Government Still Pays Two Civil War Pensions. Despite the fact that the Civil War ended April 9, 1865 (53,630 days ago, for reference), the government is still paying out veterans' pensions. Records from the Department of Veterans' Affairs show that two children of Civil War veterans, as of September, are receiving pensions from their fathers' service. Department of Veteran Affairs spokesman Phil Budahn says the VA last checked in on the benefits recipients in the fall. Both were alive, but in poor health.