Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-02-13
CLEARFiELD, PA.
The PnuIhan,,ss Case.

Gcary in this case coinpels US 10 aiiuue
TO it again, in order so get the facts
before the public.
Daniel II. Paulhamus was tried at
last January Court for perjury, and
was convicted and sentenced to the
penitentiary for the term of twenty
one months. The sheriff took him to
Pittsburg on the following Monday,
and on Thursday Paulhamus returned
to his home, with pardon from Gov.
Geary. This was quick work in the
Executive, and must have been based
upon some peculiar reasons. The un-
disputed facts in this case are us fol
lows:
In June, 1866, one James Johnson,
q young man OF twenty one, who can
neither read nor write, returned to
Glen Hope, in this county, with an
honorable discharge, after serving over
three years in the 18th Pennsylvania
Cavalry, in Tennessee, Louisiana and
Texas. He had in his possession some
$1,000 in cash when he came back,
and be went to work in the log camps
at chopping. He kept his money
around him in belt, and showed it,
in February, 1867, to one Groom. In
March, 1867, when logging was ended,
he went to Glen Hope, where Paulha-
mus kept tavern, and he alleges that
he lent TO Paulhamus 81, 100 Of his
money; that note was then written
by Paulhamus for the money, payable
in four months; but as he then had no
stamp to put upon it, he said he would
get one and hand the note to Johnson
in n day or two. johnson says that
in three days afterwards he did de-
liver to him a note, which was pro
duced on this trial. This note is not
in the handwriting of Paulhamus, his
name is wrongly spelled, and it is not
negotiable. One witness, who was
unimpeached, swore that he saw John
son count the money TO Paulhamus ;
two witnesses swore they heard them
talk subsequently as to the stamps on
the note; and three witnesses swore
that Paulhamus said he had borrowed
money from Johnson.
After the note was due, Johnson
brought it to Cloarfold and left it in
the hands of his attorneys TO be col
lected; who wrote to Pauhamus and
sued on the note After this, Paulha-
mus came to Clearfeld, employed an
attorney, and forthwith commenced
proceedings against johnson for for
gerry; and, in obtaining the warrant
he spore that he neDer signed the note ;
that johnson had forged il; and that he
did not Oloe him that sum or any other
sum o. money. johnson was arrested
and brought to Jail, was bailed, and at
September sessions, 1867 was tried
for forgery. All of the facts were
fully developed I; Paulhamus was i'm
peached as a witness, and johnson
proved a character of which any man
might be proud. After patient trial,
johnson was acquitted of the charge
of forgery. He then prosecuted Paul
hamus for perjury, in swearing out
the warrant upon which the proceed
ings were based. 1t was tried before
Judge Barrett, and occupied three
days in its trial The jury was com
posed of seven Denfocrats and FIVE
Republicans. Paulhamus was defend
ed by a Republican and Democratic
attorney. The case was fully dcvel-
oped. Johnson was witness, and
was rot impeachcd. Paulhamus did
not offer to put his character in evil
dence. And, after full argument and
most lucid and impartial charge
from the Court, the jury went out,
and after eight hours deliberation,
returned with verdict of guilty A
motion was made for a new trial and
overruled, and the convict was sen.
tenced to the penitentiary. His coun-
sci then said he would apply toanother
power, and at once two petitions were
put in circulation, asking for his par
don. One was presented to Demo
Gratis, was in the usual form, their
sympathes for his family were oper-
ated upon, and many signed il. An
other was prepared, setting forth that
the defendant was the victim of politi-
cal persecution, and that be had been
convicted by reason oi his political
faith. The District Attorney asked
the Governor to apply his rules to the
case, and require The necessary notice;
but he paid no attention to him, and
only listened to the statements of the
counsel Of Paulhamus, who falsely
asserted that he was tried by Cop
perhead Court, before Copporhead
jury, and convicted without evidence;
and be was pardOned
After such action on the part Of the
Governor, it seems scarcely worth
while to attempt to convict mel who
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