Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-05-04
Spirit Of seferson
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

The Assault on Mrs. Sullivan
1t will be recoliected that we last week
published an account of au assault upon MIS-.
Margaret Sullivan, on the 10Th of April, on
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, about one
mile West of Dufields Depot. AT the
time of that publication, we little suspected
that citizen of our own town would become
prominently connected with trial for the as
suit in question. Itscems that on that day,
Mr.. Henry d. Middickauf had some busi-
usss with Mr.. zeph. Bane, who resides on
the Hazelfeld farm about two miles from
Dufield's. Having, some difficulty in pros
curing horse, Mr. NJ. walked out to IIa>
zelfeld, but did not find Mr. Bane at home
He remained there, however, aud took his
dinner. After dinner he sat few minutes,
and then concluded to walk down to the de-
pot, in the hope Of meeting Dir. b. Going
down he passed along the railroad, in
sront of tho house of Mrs. Sullivan. He
arrived at Dutield's, as the testimony seems
to indicate, between and o'clock.
The party committing the assault on Mrs.
Sullivan, was pursued in the direction OF
Charlestown, but was lost sight Of on the Lee
town road, near the mouth of the lane leading
to the late residence of Capt Jas. G. Hurst
The matter was little thought of, SO far as
our community was concerncd-except gem
eraE desire that the perpctrator Of the offence
might be detected-until one day last week,
Mrs. Sullivan being in town, saw Mr.. MIDI
dlekauff on the street, and at once stated that
he was the man who had knocked her down,
and attempted to rob her house. Hearing
that he was thus accused, Mr. NJ. went to SEQ
her on Sunday last. when she reiterated her
charge aud ex presSed willingness to make
oath to her statement.
This made the affair 50 scrious as to demand
an Investigation. which was yesterday had
before Justice Ligd Currie. at his residence
near Zoar. Mrs. Sullivan was the first wit
ness sworn, aud upon Mr.. Middiekuuff con
fronting her, she was mistaken i'll her faith,
and swore positively that he was the party
who committed the assault. The question
was asked her if it proved by competent
witnesses that the accused was in Charlestown
at the hour the assault was alleged to have
been made, whether she would still adhere to
her statement that he was the party who
struck her. She replied unhesitatingly, Il
would" Cross>questiuning did not seem TO
cause tho slightest WAIVER in her faith. bnt she
insisted that the assault was committed be-
tween and o'clock and that the offender
wore black froct coat.
The testimony for the defence which was
Just as positive. aud more conclusive, because
the parties tcstifying were all personal
,Iuaintances of Middleapuff, showed that he
vas at another point at the time stated. and
that he did not wear black fr0ck coat but IA
brown sack coat; and further, the defence
proved that the man who committed the
assault was pursued up to O'Clock, and then
was two miles from town. whilst Middlekauff
was in CharIesiown, 10y or before clock
and further still that the party pursued. cross
cd the country through Gap View farm, and
the lands of Nr. Agliodhy and Mrs. Gibson,
10 tie Lcetown road, whilst hiidilrkauG pur
sued the Sne2her,iSfOwn- road direc. from
Buf;cl $ to Charlestcgn; that he wa seen
uear L ,ncmous' gate. AMI Afterwards Al Inn.
berts shop that lie PISSED the latter pn::t at
$ O'clock walking br:>k'y in the direction Of
ho1ue. The t!uIc OF his arrival hera-ah0nt
i o'cInck-was proved positively aud directly
b. two witnesses.
After, fail AMI patient hearing If tie case,
and weighing the tGstiNlnDy with care. j ISi!cc
Currjc promptly dismissed Mr. MId.Uck Hulf.
We have hear / 4 good deal Of tcsfin: my, aud
have reported number Of cases but n""er
have we listened to testimony which seemed 10
rnfiict so materially as to time, and this alone
created doubt in the mind Of tie Justice
The innocence Of the accused was unques~
toned hut it vas easy matter to reconcile
The statements made as to the various hours
at which Mr. Mdd!ekauf seen. We
rock the testimony cf each witness, for full
report of tire case, bat the late hour at which
\the examination closed. compels III to defer
it's publication until next week. As tIicnd
of Mr Middlekauff, we feel grailied at what
we conceive to be his complete vindicatio",
aud would suggest that when he visits the
country again on business, that he wear red
flannel suit and stove-pipe hat. The de-
ieuee was conducted ty Judge j. w. hcn~
ncdy.