Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-05-25
Spirit. Of sefersolt
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
At the County Seat.

At the County Seat.
The unprecedented interest attending the
escopd examination of our townsman, Mr..
Henry D. MIDDLEKAuFF, who is persistent,
ly,charged with having committed an assault
upon Mrs MARGARET SULLIVAN, at her
home ON the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, on
the 10Th of April, induced us, in common
with number of the citizens of this place,
to repair to the county seat on Saturday the
18th inst, and again on the Monday follow
ing. We have heretofore given the main
points involved in this investigation; but the
deep interest we feel in the welfare of our
friend, and the improbability of his guilt. JUS
tify us in referring again to the subject in
detail. Some scamp, evidently acquainted
with the affairs of the Sullivan family, and
believing that there was money in the house,
visited there on the day in question, in the
absence of Mr.. Sullivan, and demanded of
Mrs. S. this money; whatever it might amount
to, threatening at the same time to blow her
brains out if she failed to comply with his de-
Inand. This threat naturally alarmed her,
and she sought to make her escape, but was
met by the william who ran round the house.
and unceremoniously knocked her in the head
Unfortunately for Mr.. Middlekauf he hap
pened to be in the neighborhood on that day,
seeking to collect bill due him from a citi>
zen there. Mrs. Sullivan, after the offence
was committed, furnished description of the
offender, in which she represented him as
being tolerably tall, slim man, Of dark COM
plexion, and wearing long black frcck coat.
This description of itself ought to have ac.
quilted Middlckauf who is low heavy set
man, of forid complexion, and who has not
worn black coatsfor more than two years
and who proved by dozen witnesses, that on
the day in question, he wore Il brown coat in.
stead of u black. The description of the
party committing the deed, was brought 70
this town and printed but before it was to
any extent circulated, it was believed, by the
parties Interested, that in Middlekauf they
had discovered the perpetrator of the assault,
and consequence warrant was issued
TOR his arrest, and hearing had before JUS
tice Currie on the Sd of May. This hearing
resulted in his discharge, but the friend5 OF
Mrs Sullivan were dissatisfied with this de-
cison aud made complaint before Justice
UndcrdOnk, upon whose warrant the accused
was arraisncd for the second time. Before
the arrival of the day set for the return Of the
Warrant, Uudcrdouk quplifsd Postmaster
OF Shcpherdstown, and was, therefore, dis
qualified as a Justice. The case was turned
over to Justice Wiley, and after tedious ex-
animation, consuming the greater part of three
davs, the latter Justice dccded.to hold the
accused to bail to answer at the fall term Of
the Circuit Court any Indictment that may
be fund against him. The amount of bail
was fxed at $500, aud Mcssrs. Barney Lloyd
and Nathan Osb0uru became the suretes of
Mr.. MiddlckauF We might comment upon
This unexpected result Of Sd thorough an OK
aMiinatiea. but as the ease is yet Undecided,
end will in a short time come up before
higher tribunal for final hearing, we deem
it prudent to disniss it for the present-sim-
ply rcularkiu5s that Justice Wiley seemed
anxious to d. his duty. hu; cvincci Il tIus'd-
ity in the whole afTlir hardly suited to the po>
sition which lie holds. Especially was this
observable when he cane to render his dcci-
sion, stating as lie did, that it would look like
presumption IN hi.u, ! single Magistrate, TO
discharge The accused, and he therefore deem
cd it best tie hold him over for court. If he
believed therc WAS 10 guilt attaching to the
prisoner, he should have discharged him.
without regard to appearances. We believe;
however, that his aim to be honest, aud
therefore VIC have TO Further fault to Ind
with Him.