The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1867-09-12
Hboroug Highland County Ohio Thursday, september
Going Back on His FFienls-A
vase Mean Trick,

" Mean Trick.
A man named J, E. Ball, a rebel soldier,
one of stonewall Jackson's men, was af-
rested and placed upon examination before
Squire Bacon Of ChilIcothe, few days
ago, charged with the larceny of an over
coat and a pistol, the property Of William
H. Stafford, in 1864. Stafford, it will be re-
membered, was State Senator from Ross
district a few years ago, and was the DEM
ocratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor
on the ticket with Judge Ranney. His
I Democracy is unqUestioned, and unques-
tionable. Bali was arrested at SaffOrd's
instance, and on the examination Stafford
swears that Ball appeared at his office in
Chillicothe in February, 1864, in much ap-
parent distress. "His clothes were dirty
and much worm" He represented that he
was an escaped rebel prisoner; having
made his escape from Wheeling. Stafford
had a long conversation with him, and
being'satisGed that Ball was rebel soldier
who had escaped from prison, he gave him
$25 in cash and two shirts, and "would
have.given him a pair Of pants, but mine"
says Stafford, "would not fit him, and I
could get none that would" Stafford furth-
er testifies that the defendant took an over
coat anil pistol from his house W thout
his consent.
One Daniel r. Harness, 4 prominent
Democrat of Ross county, also testifes that
Ball called upon him about the same time,
and convinced him that he (BalI) was an es-
capped rebel prisoner, and being so cOnvinC-
ed, he (Harness) gave him $50. Harness
swears that he was "hOnest in the matter"
and would not have given him the money
if he had not believed that Ball was what
he represented himself to be-a rebel sol
dier and escaped prisoner.
Ball being allowed to testify in his own
behalf, swears that he was a rebel soldier,
and that Stafford, knowing that fact, gave
him the overcOat and pistol, telling him
that he might need the pistol in getting
back. Balls testimony tallies with that
of Stafford and Harness in every particular
except in the matter of the overcoat and
pistol.
It appears that a few days after these
J transactions, Stafford began to suspect that
Ball was not a rebel. Thereupon he fol-
lowed him-so says his own testimony,
found him on a train on the NJ. & c. K.
R., and denounced him as a scoundrel who
had imposed upon him (Safford) by repre-
senting that he (Ball) was rebel soldier.
Stafford did not so much regret the loss of
his money and goods as he felt indignant
at being imposed upon. He then regarded
Ball as Yankee soldier in disguise, play
ing Yankee tricks on the Confederate Cop
perheads; and under that apprehension he
has now caused Ball to be arrested.
It is refreshing to see with what boldness
these men, Stafford and Harness, avow acts
which by the plainest provisions Of law, as
old as the Government itself f-were treason
-concealing an enemy and relievig nhim
with provisions, money and clothing
They are fine specimens to appear as pros
ecutOrs against a man whose crime-even
if guilty Of all they charge him-is as moth
ing in comparison to that of which they
swear that they are guilty.
Such men as Stafford and Harness should
be prosecuted and punished before any
rebel is moIested; for the rebels can plead
some excuse for their crimes, while these
men have none Columbus
Jour.