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

At the County Seat.
The unprecedented interest attending the
second examination of our townsman, Mr..
HENRY D. MIDDLEKAuFF, who is persistcnt>
ly,charged with having committed an assault
'upon Mrs. MARdAREr 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, aud 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-
mand. This threat naturally alarmed her,
and she sought to make her escape, but was
met by the william who ran round the house,
aud unceremoniously knocked her in the head.
Unfortunately for Mr.. Middlckauf he hap
pened to be in the neighborhood on that day,
seeking to collect bill due him from citi>
zen there. Mrs. Sullivan, after the offence
was committed, furnished description of the
offender, in which she represented him as
lrE oil eli Of 1nr
plexion, and wearing long black {rcck coat.
This description of itself ought to have ac.
quilted NIiddlekauff who is low heavy set
man, of forid complexion and who has not
worn black cuaSfOr more than two years
and who proved by dozen witnesses, that on
the day in question: he wore brown coat in.
stead of black. The description of the
party committing the deed, was brought 20
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 as a consequence warrant was issued
iur his arrest, and hearing had before JUS
ticc Currie on the Sd of May. This hearing
resulted in his discharge, but the friends OF
Mrs Sullivan were dissatisfied with this de-
cision, and made complaint before Justice
Undcrdunk, upon whose warrant the accused
was arraiyncd for the second time. Before
.!,e arrival of the day set for the return Of the
Warrant, Uudcrdouk qlslifgd as Postmaster
of Shepherdst0wn. and was, therefore, dis
qualified as Justice. The case was turned
over to Justice Wiley, and after tedious ex-
animation, consuming the greater part Of three
iavs, the latter Justice dccidcdsto 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 6xed at $500, aud Messrs. Barney Lloyd
and Nathan Osbouru became the sureties of
Mr.. NIiddlckauF We might comment upo''
This uuexucctcd result Of So thorough an OK
aminatie@. but as the ease is yet Undecided,
end will in short time come up before
higher tribunal for a final hearing, we deem
it prudent to di=niisS it for the prcsent-slm-
p!y rcularkius that Justice Wiley seemed
anxious TO d. his duty but cvincci tmid-
ify in the whole affIir hardly suited To tiie po-
tition which lie holds. Especially was this
observable when lie cane to render his dcci-
sion. stating AS he did, that it would look like
ureSumptic,.H IN liinr, single Magistrate, 10
discharge the accused, and he therefore deem
cd it best te hold him over for court. Ii lie
believed there was no guilt attaching TO the
prisoner, he should have DISCHARGED Inn,
without regard to Appearances. We believe,
however, that his aim was to be honest and
therefore We have 10 TGr;kcr fault to find
with him.